FINCHforum

I've been trying to figure out what's wrong with one of my gould hens. For a couple of months she's been fluffed and quiet. She eats well, but even with heat stays fluffed. I separated her and did a smear - after a week of no greens she still showed plant matter in her poop but no signs of any problems, and her poop has a mucous-y consistency. I thought it might be fungus, but don't see yeast in the smear. I put her on a mix of Amtyl and Ronivet (antibiotics and antiprotozoal) for lack of any better ideas. She's not as fluffed, but poop still has same consistency. It's been too long for this to be a light molt or upset tummy - any ideas?

Hilary...How's your bird doing? queenb

Exactly the same - thanks for asking! Nobody has offered any ideas, so I'm not sure what else to try with her.

Sounds like you're doing everything right. My only guess would be a congenital digestive problem, or other congenital issue that makes her susceptible to other conditions.

How old is she?

She was about a year and a half old. I found her dead on the bottom of her cage this morning.

Oh no! I'm so sorry! I hate that feeling that you get when you walk into the room and you see a bird lying on the bottom of the cage. It's a pit you carry around in your stomach for days. My condolences.

Aw, I'm sorry to hear about your gouldian! You did everything you could for her and she had the best possible chance because of your care!
Still, it doesn't make the heartache go away.

So sorry for your loss Hilary

I'm sorry to hear your hen didn't make it.

Thanks all. I'm so frustrated that I couldn't get any answers to what could possibly have been wrong. Good news is that I got two daughters and a son from her so I can continue her line - she was a beautiful bird.