Freaking out over multiple dealths of my finches! HELP!!

[love4finches]

My pair of BCs had a clutch 2 weeks old. Taking care of and feeding babies. Had clutches before. No problem. Went out this am and when I came home all babies dead on floor of cage, one dead in nest and 2 broken eggs. Dad had no feathers on left side under wing. Mom looked in tact.
(zebra pair)

Second pair: (society pair) mom laid her first clutch. Babies about 8 days old. Mom didn't look good sitting on babies yesterday. She was sleeping and eyes very small and half open. She was found on floor this am. Dad is caring for babies so far.

Just noticed that a third pair of societies that just finished with a clutch about 4 weeks ago are laying again. Mom is in nest sitting but noticed that dad when he stretches his neck is missing feathers top of neck.

I've read that if not enough nesting material, they will pluck for more material. Don't know if this is the case but I am mourning the loss of a family of 7, the death of the mom society. Even lost one of my favorite fish yesterday.

I need help. There are not mites or lice seen. Had a breeder come in and help me. She told me she hadn't a clue what is going on. All others are healthy, bright eyed, eatting, drinking, playing, flying.

Is this just coincidence? One pair bred to death, the mom I had no history of except this was her only clutch and now the 3rd male society not having feathers around the neck area.

[debbie276]

Could something be getting into the cages and attacking them?
Did you have to move them or change anything due to the storm sandy?

[love4finches]

Debbie,

You have brought up a great point. There was a big difference when hurricane sandy hit us. We had no power so I used a ton of candles to light the room and it provided heat. I made the comment that I'll probably die of soot in my lungs. Wonder if this affected the birds in anyway. The candles burned for almost two days straight. Even my throat hurt by then and no more candles. Found a small generator and was able to heat up the bird room. They went without real heat for two days but that was a month ago. Could this much time go by and only now I'm seeing affects in the birds? I honestly don't know.

[debbie276]

The candles may have had a negative effect on them. It sounds almost like something is getting at them and plucking them. Not sure where you are in Jersey but if you were effected but the tidal serge, is there a chance that the water pushed rodents out of one area and into another?
Sure hope things turn around for you, it's so hard sometimes to figure out what's going on
best of luck

[30 Seconds to Bob]

Sorry for your losses and the bad luck. The candles may have clogged their air sacs a bit and compromised their immune systems, especially if it were to the point where you felt it yourself. Small birds are very sensitive to things like this as they have very complex respiratory systems. Don't be too hard on yourself - nothing you can do if the power goes out. Hope things get better real soon! Bob

[ac12]

I'm inclined to think aftereffects of the candle, although it is odd that it happened all at once. This makes me think that the damage was done earlier, but something else caused the sudden mass die off all in one day.

I rarely use candles in the house, and NO scented candles. If you can smell it, it could be bad for the birds. If it irritates you, it is harming the birds.

So the chicks still had another week to go to fledge? The zebra chicks may have died before, then were tossed out today. How is their food supply? I experienced parents not feeding the chicks when their food supply runs low. Check the crop of the chicks to see if they are empty or have food in it.

Depending on the bird, some will take temp drop into the 50s. Give them oily food/seeds so their body has energy to keep warm. Problem is many finches (at least mine) will not eat the dark oily seeds.

[debbie276]

Though the candles wouldn't explain the feather loss and plucked look, I don't think

[cindy]

So sorry for your loses. The parents might have not been feeling well and could not mange the young. The young may have passed away in the nest and removed by the parents.

I have seen zebra hens pluck males, some hens do not want the males in the nest while they sit and care for young and can pluck the flanks and backs of the male's neck.

The adult deaths are most likely due to the cold, and the candles. Birds have lungs and extra air sacs, what they inhale stays in the system longer. Someone explained it this way humans breathe in one breath and out one breath, birds breathe in once but require two breaths to expel it.

Being in an area where we go through a hurricane season I stock up on the camping battery operated lanterns (Coleman), check Target and WalMart or a camping supply place. These are good to have on hand in case the power goes out briefly. You can adjust it to light a small area or a wider space. We also have access to a generator if needed.

Where in NJ are you located? You can pm if you rather not post the exact location.

[birdclaws]

Sorry to hear about your loses. When the power was out here from the storm, I was constantly boiling pans of hot water on the gas stove and bringing in to the bird room. We also have a fireplace which I'm always reluctant to use, but we did. We use the fireplace a couple times a year, I hope that is not hurting them. I wish there were some other bird safe heating for when the power is out...

[love4finches]

Thank you for all the suggestions. I have since stocked up on the led lites in lanterns, flashlites. Bought a small generator and can set up a heater in the bird room and a light and the refrig and sump pump. I haven't been able to enjoy lighting a candle since the storm. I am now set for whatever happens. Thanks again so much for all well wishes, condolences and ideas. Have taken them all and now ready for anything. Have a wonderful New Year!