Crop problem with Zebra Finch
Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 12:48 pm
My post appeared in "Breeding" the day before and I have no idea why... Here it is again.
At the moment I am worried about my female finch. I bought her on 3 Nov. 2008, taking her away from a very bad situation. She is now probably close to 5 1/2 years old.
My first question is: does anyone know how long a Zebra Finch can live?
I noticed 3 weeks ago that my bird, Snow-White, was moving her head in circles at times. Other than that, she appeared to be alright. I moved her into a medium size cage (from a big cage on wheels) one year ago because she did not fly as much as the other birds + the 2 younger males I have kept plucking her feathers; they did not seem to be mean to her at all, just over-zealous. I moved her again into a smaller cage about one month ago because she no longer flies. She just hops from a perch to another and loves to take sunbaths (through the window as it is now too cold to leave her outside).
10 days ago I noticed that her crop is not emptying normally. It is still big in the morning. The reason she is making these head movements is probably to try to make the food go down...
What should I do? I've always tried to give her veggies, fruits and pellets besides her seeds but she does no longer eat them. She loves millet. Of course I give her seeds as well, hemp hearts and recently red quinoa, which she seems to really like. I also started giving her probiotics in her water again. Does anyone know why a crop will not empty properly? I know she is older but one does not have to be sick before dying, right? She is still alert. I placed her nest on the floor of her cage because she is too weak to go up though. I also placed paper towel at the bottom of her cage to make it more comfortable for her and make sure she is still pooping. Throughout the day she takes many naps and "talks" to the males next to her cage. They can almost touch. Sometimes she is able to go on the lowest level perch and she can sit right next to the boys who come to the edge of their cage to be next to her.
Sorry for the long message. I am just wondering if anyone has any advice and if I can do something better. Thanks in advance.
At the moment I am worried about my female finch. I bought her on 3 Nov. 2008, taking her away from a very bad situation. She is now probably close to 5 1/2 years old.
My first question is: does anyone know how long a Zebra Finch can live?
I noticed 3 weeks ago that my bird, Snow-White, was moving her head in circles at times. Other than that, she appeared to be alright. I moved her into a medium size cage (from a big cage on wheels) one year ago because she did not fly as much as the other birds + the 2 younger males I have kept plucking her feathers; they did not seem to be mean to her at all, just over-zealous. I moved her again into a smaller cage about one month ago because she no longer flies. She just hops from a perch to another and loves to take sunbaths (through the window as it is now too cold to leave her outside).
10 days ago I noticed that her crop is not emptying normally. It is still big in the morning. The reason she is making these head movements is probably to try to make the food go down...
What should I do? I've always tried to give her veggies, fruits and pellets besides her seeds but she does no longer eat them. She loves millet. Of course I give her seeds as well, hemp hearts and recently red quinoa, which she seems to really like. I also started giving her probiotics in her water again. Does anyone know why a crop will not empty properly? I know she is older but one does not have to be sick before dying, right? She is still alert. I placed her nest on the floor of her cage because she is too weak to go up though. I also placed paper towel at the bottom of her cage to make it more comfortable for her and make sure she is still pooping. Throughout the day she takes many naps and "talks" to the males next to her cage. They can almost touch. Sometimes she is able to go on the lowest level perch and she can sit right next to the boys who come to the edge of their cage to be next to her.
Sorry for the long message. I am just wondering if anyone has any advice and if I can do something better. Thanks in advance.