FINCHforum

My poor Dandy has been sleeping on the cage floor for a few days and I'm starting to get worried about him. He's been in the divided flight for about a week now with his cagemate, Andy. They haven't been introduced to the other boys yet and I've NEVER seen them fight over a perch and there are plenty to choose from. He seems healthy otherwise. He has a healthy appetite and flies all over the cage during the day.

The only thing I can think of is that he's closer to the heat vent on the cage bottom. (The vent is directly under the cage.) The room is 60-65F.

Should I take him out and watch him in the hospital cage? Or just keep an eye on him?
Help!

jebediah

I would definitely place a light over or beside his cage. Something with a 60w bulb will do. And place a perch as close as you can to it, without cooking him of course, so that he can warm himself up. 60 degrees 24/7, is really a little too cold for most of these guys.

~Elana~

I have a few zebra that like to sit on the floor and roost or sleep. If he is doing this to get to the warmth than add a heat source like a heat lamp to one side of the cage as suggested.

As long as he is acting normal, eating, drinking well and is alert I would keep an eye on him. Indoor birds are a bit different than outdoor birds they tend to feel the cold a bit. We are in Florida and our days can be 80 one day and 40 to 60th next with temperatures in the 30 and 40's at night. I supply a heat lamp on one side of the cage with either a 40 or 60 watt bulb depending on the size cage/flight for the more sensitive species or hens that are laying. you can warm the area of the cage to about 70-75. If the bird is ill our vet recommends 80 - 85 degrees but give them an area to move away to incase they get to warm.

Thanks for your input guys!

The night I had started this thread, I had put the heat lamp back over their side of the cage. Over the next few days, Dandy was back up on the perches, sometimes on his swing (right under the heater), and on the floor. I just don't understand what this birdie wants!

I keep checking on him and he's eating normally, as well as still flying all over his cage. I was going to introduce them to the other boys this weekend, but I think I'll wait under week just to be sure.