Elderly Zebra Finch - how can I make him happy?

[alisonmurphy88]

Hi everyone,

2 months ago my male zebra finches male companion died. I had been hoping to give him a new companion to help him enjoy the rest of his life, however he is really quite weak and has an old leg injury which I think would make him too vulnerable to being introduced to another bird.

At the moment all of his perches are as low in his cage as they can be but he still struggles to get onto them and often falls down. The bottom of the cage is lined with lots of kitchen towel to cushion him when he falls. Although I still offer him out of cage time by leaving his cage door open but as he can no longer properly fly he only over pops out and then pops back in. He saw a vet about 3 months ago who said that he is healthy enough but that he is old and frail. He has since been on a calcium supplement and had a course of antibiotics but I can't say he has improved, aside from gaining a gram and a half.

He still sings daily, but I'm obviously worried about him does anyone have any experience with platforms? Would this help him perch with more comfort and be less likely to fall down? I know finches often die suddenly so does anyone have any past experiences with old, weak finches? I've been worried about his health for so long, but he just keeps going. He's a trooper.

Thanks in advance for any help everyone, it's great to be a part of such an excellent community. Thanks so much.

Alison.

[mohum]

I'm sorry I can't answer your question but I wondered how old your finch is.

[cindy]

his cage, good nourishing food and a companion... a hen or another male that is calm.

[Babs _Owner]

alisonmurphy88

Get a sweet society finch to keep him company. They are so gentle, and will probably snuggle up and preen him (especially at night).

[lovezebs]

alisonmurphy88

I agree with Babs , I would get a Society Finch as a companion. They are gentle non offensive creatures.

Have you considered adding a little nest for him to sit in low down in his cage? Zebras, like nests to sleep in, so a nice softly lined nest might make him comfortable.

He also may enjoy a nice warm lamp over his new bed. I've found, that birds, when they are under the weather, molting, or old, love LOVE warmth.

As Cindy mentioned, good, nutrition is very important at any age.

Good luck.

[Sally]

I've had a few really senior birds, and platforms do help give them a place to perch without having to balance. As others have said, a nice comfy nest placed low in the cage, a bit of a heat lamp (even just a 25w or 40w would do, but make sure he can move away from it), and good nutrition. A calm snuggly buddy might be just the thing to keep him warm and happy. Good luck with it.

[alisonmurphy88]

mohum I'm not sure how old he is really. I have had him for 3 years but I strongly believe he had already been a pet/been in the pet shop for quite a while when I got him and his buddy as they were both quite scruffy looking (his buddy was also missing a toe!)

@cindy Babs lovezebs Sally thanks so much you guys. I have considered getting a society finch for him over the last 2 months but I've found them impossible to get hold of in London UK. The closest I can find are around an 80 mile drive away but I'll keep trying.

I haven't heard him sing today so I am worried, but thanks all so much for your ideas, I'll act on all of them to make him as comfortable as possible.

[MiaCarter]

Aw, poor little guy!

Agreed with all the ideas here, including the heat lamp, a nest and a friend.

Agreed that a society finch would be ideal, but if you could find an older hen, that might work nicely. Stars and owls are two other very calm, sweet species that could be nice (hens), though societies are far and away my top pick for you.

I have this platform/shelf thing:
http://www.amazon.com/Prevue-PREVUE-Pat ... R160%2C160_

The bars are far too widely spaced for a finch, so I cover it with a few layers of paper towels and tape them up on the bottom with painter's tape (nothing too sticky in case it comes lose.)

My guys LOVE it!

I'd also invest in a multi-vitamin to help give him an extra boost or a general all-purpose supplement like Morningbird's Thrive.

I'd do lots of hard boiled egg too. Egg is just a superfood for these little guys, packed with great nutrients.

I would also ensure you have antibiotics on-hand in case you need them. A young or elderly bird is more prone to infection and they will go downhill much faster than a younger bird, so good to have that sort of thing on hand if you need it.

[monotwine]

I have had a few elderly Zebra - the eldest was 8years when he passed on. I've been very fortunate though that they were all very healthy to the end, flying etc. Platforms as others have indicated will help him be comfortable with his disability.

I'd also suggest a passive species to pair him up with, if he seems like he needs a mate. Not a female Zebra though. Bless them Zebs, but even as oldies they will try to be the stud and he may overdo it!
I paired my old boy with an old Society (rescued old foster breeder) and they were very happy for many years snuggling and cuddling. They died months apart of each other totally relaxed and lived out a happy retirement.

Hope your boy gives you many more years of pleasure and that possibly you can find him a cuddle buddy.

[fluffydust]

I cant recommend a good infrared lamp enough, my guys love it and its essential when they are poorly.

Can you get hold of waxworms? They are a great, soft protein source that my finches just love, they eat them like those yoghurt tubes.. leaving the skin in the sand!

Xtra Vital food by beaphar is awesome too, mixed with some wheatgerm oil and water. Great feed, I get mind from amazon in 6 packs and I save a lot from normal shop prices.


Bless him, hope you can give him a comfy retirement!

[alisonmurphy88]

MiaCarter monotwine fluffydust I'm so sorry this is a late response you guys but thank you so much for your help. I'm still looking for a society finch to pair him with, but have given him the last 3 weeks to try to recuperate and improve his health. He has spent all of this time on the bottom of the cage, eating and drinking as normal. I'm starting to think he may have developed some sort of neurological problem/seizures or something that has affected him. Although I've never seen him in a seizure, in the last 3 weeks he has gone to hopping about and feeling so strong in my hand, to falling over on the floor of his cage and getting stuck on his back. fluffydust I will have a look online to see if I can get some wax worms, are these similar to meal worms?

monotwine It's so lovely to hear that you had your zebra finches for so long, they're such fantastic pets but when they fall ill it can be so worrying with his problems my little zebra is finding it hard to remove the sheaths from new feathers from around his head and back and I daren't try to help him as he is so timid since he has been alone so a buddy would be great for him. I'll keep trying.

Thanks so much again everyone

[lovezebs]

alisonmurphy88

Hello.

Happy to hear that your boy is doing better.
Regarding Society (Bengalese) finches. Can you have one shipped to you?

[lovezebs]

There are a few people breeding Societies (Bengalese) finches.

Bengalese finches £7
07462301701

Bengalese finches (nationwide delivery) £12 a pair
01409211123

Bengalese finches £15 for 8 birds
07096673052

Bengalese £6
07096670896

Problem is, I don't know if any of these are close to you.

Good luck

[alisonmurphy88]

lovezebs ahh thank you so much, that's so nice of you. I will check these out and find out they're location. I would have thought they would be so many breeders/keepers of these finches in London!

I'll also look into shipping, I've never had an animal shipped before, I'd hate to cause it distress, but if it's not too far hopefully it would be ok.

Thanks again

[lovezebs]

alisonmurphy88

Good luck.

There probably are some hobby breeder in London, but finding them is not easy.

I would check out (google) caged bird clubs, bird fancier clubs, pet bird associations, and so on. You never know .

Good luck