FINCHforum

Hi all ,
Any thoughts on supplements to aid in weight gain ?
My male pied zebra is loosing weight while helping raise 2 chicks with his mate . Mate seems fine .
I'm concerned he's getting too skinny as I can see his breastbone now
The chicks are approx two weeks old . I've no foster parents available . These are petstore birds . No , I haven't dewormed them . ( can that be done safely while chicks in nest ? )
Parents have free choice seed mix , cuttlebone and fresh water daily with liquid vitamin added . Homemade eggfood ( whole cooked egg w/shell and veggie mix ) once a day and millet spray twice a week .
Increase eggfood ? Add something else to diet ?

Thanks

There's a product called WORM AWAY that is safe for chicks. It can be added to water, food or administered directly in the crop.

My only experience with "going light" was with a Zebra hen that wasted away. I took her to the vet but she was unable to do anything for the bird. After I had the hen euthanized the vet asked if she could do a necropsy at no cost. Of course I was as curious as the vet so I agreed. Turns out the hen had a tumor. I'm not saying your bird is suffering from the same thing, as I know there are many reasons behind a bird going light. But it is doubtful your bird's weight loss is due to caring for his young. Mostly likely there is an underlying illness.

You might try offering spray millet daily to entice your bird to eat more. And I would give them as much eggfood as they will consume, several times a day.

Thanks .

I'll look into getting some Worm Away .
So far they are not finishing the millet sprays I give them . I'll up the eggfood .
He and the hen appear to be eating lots . She has not lost weight .
I am concerned about some underlying illness but other than the weight he is not showing any other signs .
So far he's looking active and well , normal droppings , just getting to be a skinny finch .
Hopefully it's nothing too serious

I also offer egg food sevreal times a day when my birds are feeding youngsters. That is all I can offer, I have never had this happen.

As TammieB stated above, it is not normal for parents to lose weight with chicks in the nest. I would suspect that their is some underlying illness as well. Unfortunately, "going light" is a symptom of many illness - so it is impossible to say what it might be.

Another concern is that if the bird is sick - and feeding the chicks in the nest - he could be passing the illness on to them as well.

If any other symptoms develop - be sure to mention them.

hi you could try soaked groats,there is a lot of fattening qualities with this seed i always feed this to mine in winter it is quick to soak also.all you have to do is por boiling water on it allow to cool and its ready to feed

ken