Babies Dying in the Nest

[sm_bradley84]

Hi There - I am new to this forum and need help fast!

I am not sure how to post this to the general board.

A zebra clutch of 6 babies started dying off and I noticed that their crop was swollen and appeared full - when actually it was not. The crop was filled with a yelloish substance and got so swollen it affected the breathing and eating of the babies. I pulled the remaining three babies from the nest to try to hand feed and save them, but unfortunatly the infection got progressively worse and did not allow anything into the crop - so they died... It appears the parents are passing the infection to all the babies in the nest when they feed. I am worried because another un-related nest of societies is starting to dye from the same thing.

I called my local avian vet and she advised to give the babies I pulled apple cyder vinegar to kill the yeast - unfortunatly it did not work... I have been breeding and handfeeding birds for over 15yrs and have never seen such a thing in the aviary.

I am currently treating my flock with medication prescribed by my avian vet - crushed pill over wet food - in hopes this will stop the parents from giving it to others and new babies...

Has someone seen this before??? I really need some advice to kick this thing. I need to prevent it from happending again. I have lost 10 babies so far from the two infected nests..... so sad!

I have a picture. How do I attach it?

[Sally]

With two different species involved and with multiple deaths, I would say you need to work with your avian vet to resolve this. I would question that two different clutches have developed yeast infections at the same time. Have you taken any of the dead babies to the vet for a necropsy? You may have to take one or more of the parent birds to the vet for tests.

Do the Societies and Zebras share a common cage/flight? If not, I would be concerned about an airborne illness that is contagious in your birdroom. If they share the same space, it could be something that they have passed to each other through food/water dishes, etc.

I am going to move this to the Health forum as its own topic, so that others will be more likely to see it, but I really feel this is a time when professionals need to be consulted.

[debbie276]

I agree with Sally, I think the best advice will come from your avian vet.
best of luck and please keep us posted

[wellingtoncdm]

Wow, strange. Sorry you are going thru this. Hope you can clear it up. Keep us posted.

[Bhatta]

Although I am not an avian vet, by looking the picture I suspect it is canker (large yellowish masses in the throats and crops is the symptom of canker).

[cindy]

You might want to treat them with a round of Ronex 12% or Ronivet S 12% if this is canker....some info on it. http://www.finchniche.com/features_canker.php. Discuss this with your vet since the birds are being treated with medications already.