Baldwick the Silverbill

[Lisa]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-3-Aviary ... 4172e9816a

This is what I usually purchase - I just look for the best price on a lot of 3, 4, or 6 cages on Ebay. You can get them at a pretty good discounted price this way. The one I have linked is for 3 divided cages (they are even cheaper if you buy undivided cages). These cages are a great size for holding a pair for them to have lots of room and a nice little home of their own.

Having a divider available also is nice for when you have two birds you are trying to introduce slowly but without harming each other. This way they can get acquainted with each other.

I'm glad you separated out the two who need to heal. By the way, you mentioned in one of your posts "I'm dumb, please don't judge me"... please don't feel that way. We're all just glad to help. The fact that you took these little birds in to help them AND you're out seeking help to further help them says a lot. One comment I did want to make is be careful with Malt in with the two orange cheek waxbills - if he's a bully, and they are only half his size, you don't want him causing problems with them. Since there are two of them and only one of him, they may band together but keep an eye on him none the less.

One question I wanted to ask you.... Your job at Petsmart that you are able to take the birds with problems home to care for them. Are they allowing you to take them for free or making you pay for them? Also, once they are healed are they wanting them back from you? (Just curious). I'm glad they are allowing them to go somewhere to get help (hope they aren't making you pay full price for each!)

[Acelin_Wolf]

Awww, thank you!

I have paid nothing for any finch I have adopted. They have all been freely given when it became apparent that all they needed was time and special attention to heal (Baldwick even saw a vet before I took him home!).

Malt can't seem to get near the orange-cheeks lol. They fly away from her even if she isn't looking at them. If she comes near, they leave. They're so smart. Lol. I'm going to be combining two flight cages today to see if that helps them all chill out. I wanted to combine 3 (since I have 9 birds that need a home), but I don't have physical room to combine 3 right now. I'll need to work on that.

Alot of these birds are rescues, so even when I knew I had crowded cages I kept taking them. I'm a sucker for a sad story. Now I'm trying to focus on improving their current homes though.

[Acelin_Wolf]

Done! Lets see how everyone gets along!

2 orange-cheek waxbills, 1 mean little spice, 2 zebra females, 2 societies, and 2 javas.

They all seem happy now. Even Baldwick seems to be feeling alright about his new isolation home with his society finch buddy.

[Acelin_Wolf]

Update: Today was Baldwick's second 'dose' of Feather Fast. He loves it sprinkled on his veggies. Lol. Him and his little buddy (Gumball the plucked society finch) are very happy in their isolation cage. They snuggle and sing all day.

Thanks all for helping me help them!

[Lisa]

Glad to hear it!

[debbie276]

Update: Today was Baldwick's second 'dose' of Feather Fast. He loves it sprinkled on his veggies. Lol. Him and his little buddy (Gumball the plucked society finch) are very happy in their isolation cage. They snuggle and sing all day.

Thanks all for helping me help them!

Great news, best of luck

[lyzzyjayne]

That is great news! Thanx for the update and please keep us informed. Sounds like you are doing good work over there. ;)

[Acelin_Wolf]

Well, the little society finch that had a plucked butt is almost completely recovered already! Speedy recovery!

Baldwick, on the other hand, looks just as bad as always. I can't say he looks worse but... :/ Is it possible the society finch is over-preening him? I've watched them interact and never see any plucking or fighting. They just cuddle and groom each other and go back to cuddling (and fly back and forth and eat and bath together).

Opinion: should I separate Baldwick into his own cage? Or is it unlikely that the society is hurting him and thus it's fine for them to continue recovery together?

Note: They're snuggled together right now. Adorable.

[debbie276]

If the feathers that are missing are not necessary for flight they may not grow back till the next molt. If you have any doubt whether it's still being plucked I would remove Baldwick from that cage.
good luck