Preventive maintenance?

[SuzE]

Hi all,
I have been reading all the posts about ASM and now am not too sure what to think. I was led to read because one of my society finches was sitting in the nest and breathing with her mouth open. None of them have other signs except that the 2 parents seem to be losing a little weight but they have been on that nest for so long itis a wonder they can still fly. She is now (30 or so min) breathing normally and I can't hear any clicking. Should I do preventive treatment and also, should I have treated for worms or other things? I have never treated any of my birds for anything and now I wonder if I should be doing preventive care. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[akidsgal]

I do preventative care 2X a year. Some do more. In my opinion if she is breathing with her mouth open when you are there, she is feeling threatened with her eggs. She is just trying to protect her young...... or should I say to be young. If she isn't making any noise, my bet is she isn't ill.

It is your choice of course of what to do, but remember If she isn't clucking or making any noise you can't guarantee a problem.

Also there are different ways to treat. SCATT or S76 are a couple. If you have only a few birds I would probably use SCATT.

[SuzE]

Carol,
thanks for your reply. I do think I'll get some SCATT and S76. It can't hurt, that's for sure. This morning I decided I really needed to do something about that nestful of eggs, so I took it down to see what I could see. I accidentally dropped one but it was empty. I was putting them back in the nest intending to dump the whole thing. Another one that looked really dark and heavier than the others I was checking and it broke in my hand and yes, it had a too young to hatch yet baby in it It finally dawned on me that the black heavy ones were viable eggs so I put them back in and mama came back and is sitting on them again Do they know which are duds ? I am wondering because she has pushed back the 3 non-viable eggs and is sitting on the 4 that look good? These guys are always a surprise. Guess that's why I love them so

[akidsgal]

That is something I can't answer. The only reason a bird of mine didn't sit on eggs was that they were MUCH older then the others. She will be a great mommy. They do surprise you with new antics and things daily. Best of luck with your new babies

[Finch Fry]

Its normal if they are sitting on eggs. Its defensive behavior. You can put a little stick, a spoon or even your finger and they will nip at it. I put a plastic spoon in to push the mom off the eggs/babies when I am need to check on them.

[nixity]

If you do not have Gouldians or Canaries I honestly wouldn't bother getting an ASM treatment.

I have seen my socs seemingly "pant" in the nest on multiple occasions, and they also do it immediately when you offer them bath water.
It's just a quirky thing.

As a species, they are not readily susceptible to them and without a carrier to infect them there is literally no way they could have contracted them.
They do not live outside of a host for very long and are only spread through direct contact with a contaminated bird.

[Meagan83]

I would say not to fret if she is ONLY doing so in the nest. She may just be showing her "mean momma face" because she is trying to protect her nest. Also, finches sometimes pant during or after laying an egg. If they are panting outside of the nest or they stop singing and chirping, that's when I'd worry.

[Meagan83]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_069CSBOIo
Watch this little zeb pant after she passes that egg. What an exertion!

[Finch Fry]

I would say not to fret if she is ONLY doing so in the nest. She may just be showing her "mean momma face" because she is trying to protect her nest. Also, finches sometimes pant during or after laying an egg. If they are panting outside of the nest or they stop singing and chirping, that's when I'd worry.

Good catch meagan. I skimmed the post and didnt read the only in the nest part. I edited my post above.