FINCHforum

I found this site a few weeks ago and found it to be very handy for general information on finches and other birds. The emergency section is a good starting point when you first notice something wrong.

Let me know what you all think.... (It's an Australian site too!!! and he knows about Gouldians)

http://birdhealth.com.au/bird/birds.html

I don't have time to read the whole site right now, but I did go over the emergency advice. Everyone has their own method, but I don't understand why he doesn't recommend providing heat with a lamp. I use either a heating pad or a heat lamp, depending on the situation and whether or not I move the bird, but have never had a problem using a lamp.

The other thing I question is removal of all seed sources, including spray millet. When faced with an ill bird, I try to tempt it to eat, so I always provide spray millet and its favorite food, in addition to the normal seed mix. If the bird stays on the floor, I may even spread seed on the floor, so it is right underfoot for the bird.

I will admit, I don't agree with everything he says either. I always use a lamp too and haven't had any problems. I guess getting burnt could be a problem but that is the same with any heating method. My birds seem to regulate their temp even when sick and move away if hot.
I am the same with seed too. I am currently changing their diet to a pellet and seed mix and I always give them vitamins but I make sure their favourites are there like millet. I guess if they are not eating at all and you use the crop needle (which I would not atempt myself!!) then maybe they shouldn't have seed. I guess too much grit may be bad if they are unwell. My Java had some sort of intestinal problem that caused the seed and grit to get stuck along the intestine then it herniated and killed her. I guess if their is something like that wrong, a controlled liquid diet may apply. I agree though, if the bird is sick, you want it to eat something even if its not a varied diet for a while, at least its eating.
I think all advice should be absorbed and you can apply what works for you. At least it comes from someone who is trained but there is always a few ideas of what you should and shouldn't do I suppose.


I just thought I would edit, I found another site that said PTFE (teflon) can sometimes be found in heaters and heat lamps etc. This is the link http://www.landofvos.com/articles/wingt ... ebird.html but once again, who knows? doesn't apply to all?