OMG!

[6finchfriends]

Oh no! It does sound like something congagous? I hope not! So sorry for the loss of your birds!

[Sally]

If that happened to me, I'd seriously consider having a necropsy done on the second bird. It may be too late to do that now if you've disposed of the bird already, but I would definitely want an answer as to what was happening to my birds.

I agree that at this point in time, you need answers. If you haven't disposed of the bird, and can get it to a laboratory that does necropsies, that would be one option. You can't freeze the body, but it needs to be refrigerated till you can send it to the lab. Another way to go is if you can find an avian vet and describe just what you have told us--that may sound familiar to the vet.

[annague]

Very scary. Please keep us informed and so sorry for your losses!

[JRs Gouldians]

I think I am going to have a heart attack! I came home today and walked outside saw all the females were fine went to my males and lost one of them last night! Now that is 3 different birds (YB male, SB female, GB male) all dying of the same cause that were all housed in 3 different cages! Called the vet yesterday he was not in. So I called him this morning hes unavailable right now waiting on a call back. Hopefully he will have an answer because he himself raises gouldians at his home. This whole thing has got me doing circles.

[Sally]

Did this third bird come from the same breeder? I'm so sorry this is happening to you, I can't imagine what a nightmare it is. You are lucky, though, to have an avian vet nearby that is familiar with finches--hopefully he will have some answers for you.

[L in Ontario]

Very puzzling. I you can get some answers and soon.

[lovemyfinch]

I wish I had an answer
There is definately something going on

[Mozelle]

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare

I agree with the others that it wouldn't hurt to get some testing done on one of the bodies. But I noticed you said your birds are housed outside. Most rodent poisons are an anti-coagulant, they cause massive hemorrhaging in the animal and they essentially bleed to death. They can bleed internally and they only way you may know is blood on the beak or vent. Have you checked for anything that may be poison. The one's I'm familiar with are usually a greenish cake of grains, or even just loose grains. It would be horrible for something like that to be happening, but with your birds outside you may need to consider the possibility of some sick-minded person (or frustrated neighbour) tossing treated grains etc into the area.

[JRs Gouldians]

I actually considered this today. I know my neighbor in the past has had their housed sprayed for certain bugs like termites, roaches, ants ect. so I'm wondering maybe they did this and I was asleep and did not know about it. I went to go ask them today but they were at work. So hopefully I can catch them a little later and ask them if they have had anything sprayed recently around their house.

[6finchfriends]

Poison. Just to throw out there, We live near a small country store and the beach which is a haven for rats. They get in our cars, wild bird feeders, & our shed so I do put the poison pellets in the shed. Today I checked and one rodent apparently sat and ate and ate so much that the poison went right through it into it's droppings! They were green! I swept it right up and put it in the garbage can! I was afraid that birds would find it somehow. I had no idea and now I don't think I'll use that poison for fear something else will die. Could that have been a way for poison to get in your aviary? I'm so sorry for your horrible situation! I you can find out what is happening!

[annague]

This is just horrendous. Please keep us posted.

[6finchfriends]

Any news on your Goulds JR? I hope you've found what is wrong and all is well again

[cindy]

A neighbor two houses down threw rat poison pellets down in his yard, rat usually pick up their food and take it back to their nest or someplace private to eat. So they can travel with the poison, dropping pieces. Our next door neighbors' dog found some in the yard, and so did ours in our yard.

The neighbors dog was very ill with horrible symptoms as was our. Bleeding from both ends (sorry this is disturbing but the rat poison will cause this) Our dog was older and did not make it, the neighbors' dog after extensive medical treatment survived. This was several yrs ago, I now watch what my two young dogs get into now...the neighbor down the street has stopped using the poison in the yard.

Have you checked around the yard and inside the porch, can anyone get in?

Jr...do you have an avian vet? I am originally from that area and know of a few. Please let me know if you need their names. On is in Ft Myers, I believe off of Winkler and there is another in Cape Coral. I can also check with a a husband/wife vets that are friends of our and see if they can refer you to someone that can help.

So sorry about your birds...

[JRs Gouldians]

Well I ended up losing a total of 4 birds throughout the whole thing. Retreated everyone for mites, also gave them antibiotics and everything seemed well... Today I came home and one of my females who is/was on eggs was outside the nest puffed up breathing heavy and sleeping. I set up a hospital cage took her out and she started coughing up blood... I was like AHHH!! NOT AGAIN! But unlike the others, she did not pass away. She is now in the hospital cage with heat on her, food and water. I'm hoping she makes it through but this thing is really troubling me. She is still breathing heavy, I have seen her pick at the millet a little and drink a little, but you can tell all is NOT well. I really wish this "thing" would disappear!

[L in Ontario]

I'm so sorry I thought this was over.

If she does pass on, I would seriously contemplate getting a necropsy done.