FINCHforum

I just opened the cage to do something, the younger bird flew out of cage crashing into everything into everything in my room. Fell behind the bed, got stuck, got him out, yet to escape again, and fly around crashing again. I did get him, put him directly in cage, he sat on bottom of cage kinda in a lump, breathing heavy,covered the cage to darkness, and left him. I hope he doesn't die. Oh no!!!!!! I feel terrible! I know they stress easily, I'm so sad!

What type of finch? I've had juvies escape and they're out of breath and stunned a little if they flew into the wall. Watch him and hopefully, he'll recover in a little while. You could also give some electrolytes like Thrive or Pedialyte

A young gouldin. He crashed multiple times into the wall and bedroom mirror, then got stuck behind the bed upside down, that was a trick to get him out. The headboard weighs about 800 pounds, so I had to slide a long perch in to try and slide him up to the top of opening of headboard to try and retrieve him. He slid up alright, and then flew around again crashing. I just peeked in and he is no longer on the floor of the cage, but up on a perch with his cage mate. I am still worried, about him. Still have them covered completely. I do need to take out some left over veggies I put in there though. I don't want to stress him out again doing that now that he seems to be calmed down. Poor guy, and before that chaos, I was planning on trimming his nails. Well..... Not today. Lol! I guess I will have to wait a couple days for that right?

It sounds like he's on his way to recovery. Yes, I would wait a while before having to handle him again. Being back in familiar surroundings with his cage mate should help him to get over the panic. I hope there are no physical injuries.

Harley2013

I had a similar situation with one of my finches. He hit the mirror hard and was laying on the ground as if he broke his neck. I was devasted and didn't think he would've made it. I put him back in the cage and a couple of hours later he was normal again. I think it is just shock and stress! Good luck.

Thank you everyone. I am so glad I have you guys!

Peeked again. Back at the bottom, resting on the edge of his feeding cup. I'm worried.

Breathing heavy on feeding cup edge at bottom of cage. Puffed. Not good.

Oh boy. Do you have a heat lamp??? It will help keep him warm and conserve his energy. Also, has he eaten or drank anything? Clear Pedialyte given to him with a dropper (put a drop directly on the side of his beak. Be sure to avoid his nose and go slow or he can aspirate) will help keep him hydrated. Put a low water source on the cage floor, along with some fresh millet spray. You can also put a piece of Kale or Romaine down there too. In the morning, fresh egg food will provide him with protein and give him strength. I hope this helps... Sending you and your little boy hugs and prayers.

Sorry he is not doing well now. Definitely give a heat source on one side of the cage. Don't handle him, unless he gets worse. I'd put Thrive or pedialyte in a small bowl/dish, millet and the eggfood where he can reach them. Make sure the other finches are not picking on him too.

I don't want to put my hands in the cage if I can help it to upset him. I do not have pedi lite or egg food on hand. He is resting on the feed dish with the water right beside that. I can rest heating pad along side the cage, would that work? Hanging along the side? To put it under it would be resting on wood and that wouldn't be good. Fire hazard.

what about a regular light bulb, not shade, set next to the cage bottom? regular bulbs still give off some heat. Do you have millet or can you run to the store for a small bottle of pedialyte, regular, not flavors?

Regular light will not be too bright for them? I do have the cage covered completely. What a huge mistake I made. My husband is not happy about my getting more birds to begin with and now this.

I would not cover the cage, as they can have night fright, which is when they panic because they can't see where they are flying, especially if they are startled by sound, noise, etc. Take off the cover and put a light next to one side of the cage. You can turn off all other lights, so the bulb just lights the one side and they can get to the other side or in a nest to sleep. A sick finch or stressed finch really needs the heat to help them so they don't use all their energy trying to stay warm.

Good luck and hope for a healthy recovery for him!!!