FINCHforum

Hi everyone! I'm a newbie...loved the info and I have a q about one of my babies.

I have 3 society finches. I have been caring for them for almost a year now and have so far been successful with only the loss of one bird which was later replaced. The bird that we did lose died of mites.

We now have one of the females breathing fairly heavy. She is behaving normally as far as feeding, drinking, and is very active. This just started this morning. I want to treat her so that she does not continue in a downward path. I would like to know what direction to go on this. What am I missing here?

I am very attentive with keeping the cage along with the food and water bowl very clean. What is going on?

Help!!

If this info is of any use: Cricket is the offspring of Sarah and Oat. Cricket has recently become sexually mature. Oat does attempt to mate with her but Sarah will attack Cricket when Oat does so. Cricket and Sarah have both appeared to be laying eggs because it is not uncommon for me to find between 4 and 6 eggs in a few days time span. Sarah does not attack her at any other time and does not seem to be bothered by her presence.
Could Crickets heavy breathing have anything to do with a defensive stance?

Thank you

If you think you have a health problem, or mites, you should separate the bird in question. As for the last comment, if I read right it sounds like you may have an inbreading problem. I would recommend removing the nest or again separating them.

She's been placed elsewhere, but what can I do to help her?

I hate to just sit and wait if I can be proactive about this.

I have never had to deal with a sick bird, except very old ones. I know there are members who know more about this than I do. The only other thing I can tell is to try and call a vet to see if they can recommend something without you needing to bring her in.

Much appreciated

Anyone else have any input??

Is she breathing heavily constantly, or did you just catch her once or twice? Open beak breathing can indicate stress as well as a respiratory problem. Do you hear any kind of clicking when she breaths, and is she still doing this now that she's been separated from mom and dad?

No clicking, or open beak. She's worse today

She's puffed up now, she is not folding her wings up completely, and she's very off balance. could she have an egg stuck???? her tail is bobing up and down with the heavy breathing. she is drinking water...still waitin to see her eat

i put the two cages next to eat other and the other finches made short angry chirps towards Cricket. so i moved the cages away again

i think it's time for a vet

Put heat on her - a clamp light with a regular light bulb or a ceramic bulb works great. If you have calciboost or something like that a drop to the side of her beak can help if it's binding. If it's been a couple of days, though, it's not binding - she's just sick. If you can get her to a vet I would.

Thank you!!! I will do that right away

I just looked at her this morning. She's doing sooo much better. Very active and breathing slower..eating like crazy too.

Yea!!!!