Dead Java Rice Finches

[hdoscher]

My daughter discovered our three java rice finches dead at the bottom of the cage this morning. We are very upset. They were healthy and relatively young. I am frightened of what may have killed them all at once.....any insight would be a big help. Thank you

[CandoAviary]

No food, no water, fumes from paint, hairspray, non stick pans, cold, night fright, many things.
Sorry for your loss.

[cindy]

I am sorry for your loss. To lose a bird is difficult enough but to loose all three is devastating.

Can you give us a little information that may help us figure out what happened?

Have you been runninig any type of gas heater especially since it has been so very cold this winter?

Have they been exposed to a cleanser, different food, candles, air freshners?

To lose 3 at the same time sounds as if it may be an exposure to something.

[hdoscher]

Thank you for your responses....we have the finches in the same room as our wood stove since it is the warmest place in the house. We rarely have smoke back up into the house. The last time I cleaned the cage I used a disinfecting wipe on the bottom of the cage after I brushed it. I also disinfect their water and food trays every week. Maybe I didn't rinse them well enough......Thank you again for your thoughts.

[L in Ontario]

Are you in a warm area and possibly had the cage outdoors? Predator could have gotten to them.

If you fill in your location it may help get a more decisive answer. Very sorry for your losses but welcome anyway!

[L in Ontario]

Okay, obviously you didn't have them outdoors. It's possible it was the fumes from the woodstove. You would need to rinse off the residue from the disinfecting wipe, really good. It has fumes and countless chemicals.

[cindy]

Did you use a Dura Flame starter log or pack to get the wood stove started? I would be conserned with smoke in the same room.

When cleaning with a cleanser it is best to move the birds to a small clean holding cage then use the cleanser. Use it in an area where you can rinse the cage down like on the porch or in a tub. Same with the cups and perches, rinse completely and dry either in the sun, air dry or towel dry.

Can I ask what cleanser you used?

If you need to clean a dirty area in the cage while the birds are in the cage I have used very diluted white vinegar. Once you wipe down the area, dry it off.

[Sally]

Usually multiple deaths are from environmental causes. Personally, I don't think you need to disinfect cage, etc. every week, but if you want to do it, there are numerous bird-safe disinfectants on the market, but you can go with 10% bleach solution, or vinegar/water (sorry, can't remember the dilution right now). I've never had a woodstove, so can't comment on whether that could be a factor.

[hdoscher]

I used the Target brand disinfecting wipes while the birds were in the cage. I appreciate the recommendation to use a vinegar solution. I will do that in the future. We are going out tonight to get some new birds with our girls. Kills me that we won't be getting more java rich finches though. Any recommendations on the best finches to get at a pet store? Herb (Connecticut)

[dfcauley]

I am so sorry for your loss. That is terrible to loose them all at once. I agree it is enviromental. Are you sure there was plenty of seeds and water? Sometimes people don't realize that the seeds are gone and all that is there are hulls. I this possible?

If not, it must have been the cleaner or stove. I use gas heat and it has never affected my birds.

[Sally]

You probably have to replace these birds right away because of your daughters, so you have to get something from a pet shop. Buying from breeders is always best if at all possible, because you know something of the history, health and age of the birds. If getting something from a petshop, I would say either Societies or Zebras (all male if possible) would be interesting and entertaining for children.

[SuzE]

Hi,
Might you have a little CO leaking from your woodstove? So sorry about your loss - how hard for your daughter.

[cindy]

If this is a Carbon monoxide leak it would be best to have it looked at not only for any future birds but for your own health and safety.

You can call your local fire department for tips on checking for it in the air and how to prevent it. Also you can buy a carbon monixide detector to keep near the stove to make sure it remains safe to use. birds are very sensitive to gas and smoke and usually feel the effects faster than a human. Having birds near or even in the same room as a wood stove is like having them sit next to a smoker, it can cause health and lung problems, they can be quickly overcome by it. If you do get more birds perhaps place them in another room away from the wood burning stove.

Hope you are able to figure out what happened and hopefully replace the birds for your girls.

[hdoscher]

We have a few carbon monoxide detectors, even one 4 feet from the cage. We will definitely put the new ones in a different room. Thank you again for your advice.

[trljr14]

Are these birds new to being in the room with a wood burning stove,i would suspect the problem is the stove,even though you may not smell anything,tom.