Zebras mysteriously dying off?

[Jeff McKee]

If you can, try a different room for the birds. It does seem like a lot of bad luck. There is the potential that you would like to know, for your own safety.

In the 70's in Canada, a number of houses were insulated with UFI. It was supposed to be bad for you. The emitted vapours, got better over time. The government looked bad though.

Where gas is concerned, one can buy a gas detector. I have one in my basement, close to the furnace/water heater. Gas is exceptionally dangerous.

All birds were recently stressed, by being moved.

[cindy]

Since this is a new house....what type of flooring do you hve in the room they are in and the adjacent room....how was it put down, water base glues? When you walk in the house do you smell that new house smell, paint? The air fresher where is it...I am extremely leary of such products.

Jeff is right in regards to stress, something though in the environment is hurting them...Tap water might be fine for you but it may have to high of a flouride or chlorine for birds, use filtered water or bottled water, see if it helps with some of the symptoms.

[kathmcm]

You don't need someone to come to the house to check for carbon monoxide levels! It's just a matter of buying a detector. I hate to repeat my earlier post but it is the most dangerous possibility, and it can easily be eliminated from the suspect list with a detector. Any hardware store will have one, and as I recall they aren't much more than an ordinary smoke detector (OR A FINCH OR TWO).

Please check the link I posted earlier as it sounds just like your situation.

I hope the detector will show that I'm wrong and that there is no carbon monoxide leak, but even so it is something every house should have.

[finchmix22]

I agree to check for carbon monoxide and the gas company will come and check for leaks without a charge, to avoid a disaster. You need to make sure nothing airborne is in the house that could harm humans, not just the finches.

[kathmcm]

You need to make sure nothing airborne is in the house that could harm humans, not just the finches.

Exactly - carbon monoxide poisoning is insidious. Levels can go up and down depending on systems use in the house and ventiliation. Rule out high levels of carbon monoxide and then you can take your time to figure out what the problem actually is, if it persists.

[cindy]

You need to go to Home Depot and get a carbon dioxide monitor and test kit or call the fire department and ask for someone to come out. If this is a new house your home had to be inspected, check you warantee and ask for the builder to have someone come out to check as well as county code both at the same time. That many birds dying off is a sure sign something is wrong.

[Dayna]

In one post it was mentioned that the house was built in 1933 so definitely not new. I would be very weary of carbon monoxide as well, especially in older houses the chances of it are much higher. Please check for it before you or your family start to get sick as well if that is the problem.

[DanteD716]

I know some older house were painted with lead, has that room be gutted out and repainted? (If you know)

[cindy]

Can't remeber how old you said the house was but if it is very old did you hve it checked for asbestos? You also said something about mold, did you have a mold inspection and clean up...some of the chemicals used could be harsh, disturbing mold can send spores through the air, inhaled or ingested can be toxic, causing digestive and breathing complications.

[Seegiebo]

Will be getting a detector at some point when the budget allows. Good news though, the remaining finches are doing great!! I'm still clinging to hope that it was a dirty cage for the first set and the first death in the new set was due to stress. I will keep everyone posted though! Thanks for all the great responses so far!