I have just been to the aviary and seen a young bicheno on the floor..not unexpected this year,I haven't raised a single one.This one is going the same way as the rest,gaping and swallowing,obviously a respiratory problem.
The various treatments I've tried have had no effect...each and every chick has died within a week of leaving the nest.I've lost over twenty this year and along with a nest of four gouldians being abandoned and dying it's my worst year ever.With the gouldians,one left the nest and is being fed by a female...but she abandoned the others in the nest and they all died.(No idea which cock is the father but none have been seen near the nest or remaining chick) The remaining one is doing fine and growing well.
I shan't be keeping bichenos after this year...I've just given up,the continual deaths are heartbreaking.The adults are the healthiest looking birds you can imagine but they are obviously passing a virus or similar on to the chicks.If they were caged I would have stopped them breeding months ago,but in a large mixed aviary with hundreds of nesting opportunities I've been unable to prevent them.One reason why cage breeding is preferable to a mixed aviary.
Up until moving house and building the Waldorf Astoria of aviaries for my birds.I used to be dismayed if I lost a couple a year...but this year the Gods haven't been on mine or the birds side.
Just in case, the birdroom/cages and nestboxes are lathered in anti mite preparations to no avail.Although there is no sign of mite infestation.
I hope others are having more luck than me.
New birdroom interior with new boxes heavily treated against mite...hopefully to turn a corner with breeding.
