FINCHforum

Where to begin....Trying to wrap my head around the changes from yard poultry ie: bantams, standards, turkeys, Peafowl, Ornamental Pheasant, and others to cage birds ie: Finch, 'tiels, Lovebirds, Diamond Dove, and a Conure. Many people might say a bird is a bird but boy would they be wrong!!! I am new here, finding my way, this is my first post for advise. Sorry if toooo wordy!!
I have been following the ASM debate. Lots of good info and ponderances. Here is my setup. I have most of my birds in pairs with the exception of some Society (10), Zebra(8), 'tiels(5), 'tiels(3). most of the pair cages are 18wx15dx13h+/-. I have them around the walls of a closed in screen room with plastic over the wire to cut wind and help hold heat. Has tin roof. We can discuss housing in other forum, what I would like to find out.... These birds I got from 3 different friends at or about the same time and just set up the cages. I have had them together since 10/14/09. The few birds I lost I feel was due to lack of enough heat in the room for a quick drop in temp into low 30s, room got to mid 40s. had heat lamps on birds but still some drafts got through I am sure. That I feel has been rectified and 2 1500 Watt heaters are in place along with the heat lights. The room is 14 x 22 x6-8h.
Now some questions. Air Scac Mites. I do not see nor hear any symptoms as described in posts I have read.Where would be the best preventative treatment for 20 pair of 'tiels, 20 pair of finch (Zebra, Society, Java, Org Chk Wax Bill, Saffron, Gouldians), Diamond Dove, 5 pair of Love Bird, and the Red Masked Conure.
Is there other mites or something else I need to treat for at the same time or between treatments. I amd Covered over with info for all my yard bird type pests but not sure how to relate ony of that knowledge to these MUCH smaller fellows.
Thanks and Merry Christmas to you and yours!!
Ed

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I am going to wait for someone with much more experience to come along and answer your question, to date the only treatments that I have had to give (knock on wood) have been the usual quarantine Scatt and dewormer.

Welcome to the forum ,have you checked out the finch information center there is a lot of good reading there
http://www.finchinfo.com/index.php
I too will let one of the smarter members answer this ,but I don't think most of your birds are bothered byASM .Sounds like you have a good assortment

I have never had issues with air sac mites pwrtaining to hookbills or my finches. I know years ago every bird we bought in were sprayed and them sprayed every few months along with treaating the cage and perches. The spray was nasty. Thank goodness medications have come a long way.

I know some people hang the mite protectors on cages but I hear that was unhealthy for them and long time exposure.

I would also like to know if it is wise to treat birds for ASM if you do not have symptomatic issues. I always went by don't treat unless there is a reason to treat.

My avian vet is busy opening her own office but has an email address. If you can give me specific questions I can try to email her and see what she has to say about it.

Thanks!
No nothing specific for a Vet. Just been reading and looking for input regarding preventative care. The fellow I got them from did nothing I know of so I am starting from scratch on health care, diet control, etc.
With the variety there is a lot to learn!!!
Thanks again.

Hello and welcome, just wanted to add that by what i have read thus far sounds like your collection will live in birdie heaven

Merry Xmas Likewise ;)

Hello and welcome! I used to always treat my Gouldians on a 3-month program but just heard recently that is not necessary unless of course I bring a new bird directly into their birdroom (which I would never do). So I'm thinking I will now ONLY treat all new birds (as I always do) with Scatt and dewormer. 1 drop of Scatt directly on to the skin of the bird and a dose of dewormer in their drinking water upon arrival.Quarantine is of course in a separate room and 1 drop of Scatt again 3 weeks later. Then if all has been well during the 4 week quarantine - introduce them into the birdroom where I have most of my pairs in 30x18x18h cages and some in single flights 30x18x36h.

Can't wait to see pics of your fids!

Woohoo, Liz, you mean I don't have to do preventative Iverlux treatments every four months? It is a real pain--take down all waterers the night before, next morning give Iverlux water, next morning give Iverlux water, next week repeat those three steps, the following week repeat those three steps--whew!! Lots of extra work, and I don't have any Goudians or canaries at this time (the two species supposed to be the most susceptible). So just SCATT the new arrivals as part of their quarantine? Oh, what good news!

That's exactly what I'm thinking from this thread...

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7841

Let me know if you agree that it makes sense, Sally.

It sure sounds like the preventative program is not really needed. I had always read or heard that ASM required a preventative program, so I was just doing as I thought best. I believe I will change my program, and from now on, new birds will be given SCATT during their quarantine, and if they seem fine at the end of quarantine, I will assume they are free of them and require no further treatment. I can always treat for ASM if I suspect that is a problem some day.

This is perfect timing, too, as I was supposed to start the three-week treatment with iverlux last week, but with all I had going on, I put it off till this week--now I don't have to do it at all!!

This is one of those things that many of us just have done because we thought we needed to. I've never had a bird with ASM as far as I know, and I chalked it up to my preventative program, but now it looks like that was unnecessary. Now to break myself of telling people to use a preventative program!