New Gouldian died suddenly - what to do with mate?

[Hilary]

Malyssa -

My goulds refuse most veggies, but can always be counted on to tear up romaine lettuce. It's not the best as far as nutrition goes, but they enjoy it and it gives them some variety.

[lyswood]

Well, I drove out to a very nice breeder near me and got another male Gouldian to be Kramer's friend. Loved the guy and the facility! He knows the man we bought the original birds from and was sorry that we got involved with him our first time out. Ugh. We might have been misinformed about Kramer's age, as well. Live and learn.

We let the boys see each other in separate cages for awhile and Kramer got all excited, flying around and showing off. Once they settled down we put them together, and all is well so far. Cosmo, the new guy, is still a little puffed up, but they're sitting beside each other and picking at the millet. I think he's just still overwhelmed - they seem like they'll be friends. Of course when they puff up, I get nervous, but he's only been in there less than an hour, so I'm hoping it's just passing stress of the new environs.

Going to look for a flight cage tomorrow - we didn't realize the cage we had was all wrong - suddenly this is turning into a bigger expense than we planned, but we're enjoying them. It'll be nice for them when they can fly. =)

[Finnie]

The new breeder didn't suggest that you quarantine the new one you bought from him for at least 30 days?

Skipping quarantine is a big risk, especially since you recently had a death from unkown causes in your cage. Even if the bird is lonely, he can handle it for a month.

Don't give up on the veggies! My first experience with finches showed that they didn't take to them for over a month, and then finally, one day, they gave them a try. Now they are learning to eat all of the different things I've been introducing them to.

Good luck with them. I thought I was starting out small with the finches, and then the same thing happened with me- I started going gung-ho with them! But they are great to watch!

[debbie276]

The new breeder didn't suggest that you quarantine the new one you bought from him for at least 30 days?

Skipping quarantine is a big risk, especially since you recently had a death from unkown causes in your cage. Even if the bird is lonely, he can handle it for a month.

My thoughts exactly!

What type of cage did you have them in that was all wrong?

[DanteD716]

I am also worried about quarantine.. even though your new guy may not be sick Kramer may be as well

[lyswood]

I asked should I keep them apart and he said I wouldn't need to - that it's usually for illness (um, yeah) and it should be fine. I worried as well. Worried more now.

The cage is just too small - there isn't flight room. Getting them a flight cage today, I hope - perhaps I should just put the new guy in it at first.

Now I'm worried again. Lordy.

[Finnie]

Don't worry too much. You can still quarantine. The new one has only been exposed to Kramer for a short time, and separating them now will prevent further exposure.

Being near a sick person for one day isn't as risky as being near a sick person for a long time.

I think your plan to put the new guy in the new cage sounds great.

One thing some people don't realize about quarantine, when they say that it isn't necessary, is that even though the old birds and the new birds can look healthy, they each could be carriers to things that they are immune to. But they might not be immune to what the other bird carries. And the introduction period is stressful, so even a healthy bird can experience a lowered immunity.

A quarantine period doesn't erase the germs the separate birds might be carrying, but it gives them a chance to adjust to their move, and build their immunity back up. Even after quarantine, there is still a slight risk that old birds and new birds can infect each other. But now their odds of fighting it off will be improved.

[lyswood]

Thank you so much - I really hope I can find that darn cage today. The breeder is very helpful and emails me right back when I have a question, which is really nice. I was concerned that the new guy hadn't been seen drinking yet, and was afraid to cause him stress by catching him to dip his beak in the water. Instead I picked up the dish and held it up to them - they were both very calm. After a few seconds he stuck his little head in there and took a nice big drink. I feel a little better now.

Beginning the cage search...

[Sally]

One thing some people don't realize about quarantine, when they say that it isn't necessary, is that even though the old birds and the new birds can look healthy, they each could be carriers to things that they are immune to. But they might not be immune to what the other bird carries. And the introduction period is stressful, so even a healthy bird can experience a lowered immunity.

A quarantine period doesn't erase the germs the separate birds might be carrying, but it gives them a chance to adjust to their move, and build their immunity back up. Even after quarantine, there is still a slight risk that old birds and new birds can infect each other. But now their odds of fighting it off will be improved.

Excellent explanation of quarantine--for both new and old birds!