FINCHforum

Hi all,

I have a question! I apologize for my newbie-ness!

I'm new to the forum, and honestly not much of a "finch person" -- but in general a bird and animal lover. I work at a pet store, and recently adopted an "unsaleable" female gouldian finch. Now, the bird is fine. She just has no feathers on her head. She's been to the vet and was given antibiotics while we had her at the store, and the vet could find nothing "wrong" with her. I've since learned that this can be a vitamin/iodine deficiency and am giving her vitamins daily.

That's not my concern at the moment, though. My worry right now is that she's all alone. The only other bird I have is a cockatiel, in the same room, but obviously a different cage and not really company for a finch. They do still have the male that came in with her, but my budget isn't really accomodating the $140 price tag on him. Is there another small suitable species that I could get one of, just so she won't be so very lonely? I know finches are social creatures and I don't want her to stress out.

I was considering a female zebra or society finch -- under the assumption that the male might be a little more aggressive towards her. Any input for me?

I would choose society over zebra, but of course that gould male would be the best for her (even though I have suspicions that they are related so I would not breed them if you did get to purchase him). Societies are much more social and mellow compared to the rather rowdy zebra. Have you tried looking into gouldian breeders in your area? They sell for around 60 for a single gouldian I believe, a much better price compared to 140 for a single finch.

I am going to check the next bird fair before I decide, she's been alone for several months (in quarantine at the store), so she can wait another week I'm sure.

Maybe I will get lucky and find a reasonably priced male there.

Very good idea

kittani79 wrote:Hi all,

I have a question! I apologize for my newbie-ness!

I'm new to the forum, and honestly not much of a "finch person" -- but in general a bird and animal lover. I work at a pet store, and recently adopted an "unsaleable" female gouldian finch. Now, the bird is fine. She just has no feathers on her head. She's been to the vet and was given antibiotics while we had her at the store, and the vet could find nothing "wrong" with her. I've since learned that this can be a vitamin/iodine deficiency and am giving her vitamins daily.

Try giving her some liquid or powdered kelp. The extra iodine will help her regrow those head feathers.

Check out this site, Bald Gouldian

Some good news on the balding; I did my monthly super-cleaning today and caught her to get a good look. The feathers on the top of her head are starting to come in! Still bald as she can be around her face, but it's a start.

Congrats!

If you aren't already, try feeding her some boiled egg mashed shell and all. The extra protein and nutrients in the egg will help give her what she needs to regrow those feathers.

There are a lot of different types of finches you could put in there with her for company. A society, owl, red ear/rosy rump... I have a gouldian in with those types. Breeders or small breeders may sell you one for a lot cheaper. Also keep an eye in the paper and craigslist.org, as many people sell finches on those for a lot less.