Gouldian hen not 100%
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Gouldian hen not 100%
One of my hens got really fluffy and and had her head tucked about 3 weeks ago. I felt like she was eggbound and caged her overnight with heat. I never did see an egg, though it is possible she'd laid it the morning I caught her. Anyway the following day she was all happy and perky and put her in my indoor glass cage.
The problem is she still seems a bit quiet and looks ever so slightly puffy, her stool is normal and she eats and drinks fine even chirps a bit. I just feel there is something not quite right. Any and all suggestions would be welcome.
This is her in the foreground.
The problem is she still seems a bit quiet and looks ever so slightly puffy, her stool is normal and she eats and drinks fine even chirps a bit. I just feel there is something not quite right. Any and all suggestions would be welcome.
This is her in the foreground.
Michelle P
Black Bellied Fire Finches
R/T Parrot finches (Normal and seagreen)
Forbes PF's
Blue Faced PF's
Gouldians
Owls
Variety of waxbills
Sun conure
10 rescued cats
4 Dobermans
Black Bellied Fire Finches
R/T Parrot finches (Normal and seagreen)
Forbes PF's
Blue Faced PF's
Gouldians
Owls
Variety of waxbills
Sun conure
10 rescued cats
4 Dobermans
- finchmix22
- Mod Extraordinaire
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Re: Gouldian hen not 100%
I am not a gouldian breeder, but she looks as if she's holding her chest different. I don't really see the fluffed, but if you think she may not be well, add a heat lamp on one side of the cage, above a perch. Make sure she can get away from the heat if she gets too hot. Usually, heat will help the finch conserve energy for fighting an illness, rather than using their energy to stay warm. Keep us updated.
DEBORAH

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Re: Gouldian hen not 100%
My house is very warm probably 78 degrees where the birds are plus she's in a glass cage with overhead lamp. She doesn't seek out the heat in the upper part of the cage.
She does sit quietly and kinda chesty, and slightly puffed but never fluffy or sleepy.
She does sit quietly and kinda chesty, and slightly puffed but never fluffy or sleepy.
Michelle P
Black Bellied Fire Finches
R/T Parrot finches (Normal and seagreen)
Forbes PF's
Blue Faced PF's
Gouldians
Owls
Variety of waxbills
Sun conure
10 rescued cats
4 Dobermans
Black Bellied Fire Finches
R/T Parrot finches (Normal and seagreen)
Forbes PF's
Blue Faced PF's
Gouldians
Owls
Variety of waxbills
Sun conure
10 rescued cats
4 Dobermans
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- Bird Brain
- Posts: 14789
- Joined: Fri Aug 28, 2009 7:30 am
- Location: WV
Re: Gouldian hen not 100%
Is there any air circulation in the cage? Does the lamp give off heat? She doesn't look fluffy at all, maybe the air is just too stagnant and a bit of fresh air would help.
Your glass cage sounds interesting, do you have any pictures that show the whole cage?
Your glass cage sounds interesting, do you have any pictures that show the whole cage?
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)
GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)
GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56
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- Incubating
- Posts: 1016
- Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2012 8:17 pm
- Location: Memphis TN
Re: Gouldian hen not 100%
The cage has wire mesh on the sides and the roof.
Here's some pics
Here's some pics
Michelle P
Black Bellied Fire Finches
R/T Parrot finches (Normal and seagreen)
Forbes PF's
Blue Faced PF's
Gouldians
Owls
Variety of waxbills
Sun conure
10 rescued cats
4 Dobermans
Black Bellied Fire Finches
R/T Parrot finches (Normal and seagreen)
Forbes PF's
Blue Faced PF's
Gouldians
Owls
Variety of waxbills
Sun conure
10 rescued cats
4 Dobermans
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- Incubating
- Posts: 1016
- Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2012 8:17 pm
- Location: Memphis TN
Re: Gouldian hen not 100%
Sorry, all the pics are on their sides.
I am wondering if this hen is just plain fat! That makes the most sense, since she really seems well in all other areas.
I am wondering if this hen is just plain fat! That makes the most sense, since she really seems well in all other areas.
Michelle P
Black Bellied Fire Finches
R/T Parrot finches (Normal and seagreen)
Forbes PF's
Blue Faced PF's
Gouldians
Owls
Variety of waxbills
Sun conure
10 rescued cats
4 Dobermans
Black Bellied Fire Finches
R/T Parrot finches (Normal and seagreen)
Forbes PF's
Blue Faced PF's
Gouldians
Owls
Variety of waxbills
Sun conure
10 rescued cats
4 Dobermans
- finchmix22
- Mod Extraordinaire
- Posts: 6258
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2010 3:25 pm
- Location: DFW TX
Re: Gouldian hen not 100%
That's a possibility. My Society finches plumped up when I moved them to a smaller cage to make room for species that needed flight room. Now, I'm considering rearranging, so everyone has good flight room. Your bird enclosure is amazing! How wide is this and did you make it? If so, what is it made from? Look like a cabinet ?
DEBORAH

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- Bird Brain
- Posts: 14789
- Joined: Fri Aug 28, 2009 7:30 am
- Location: WV
Re: Gouldian hen not 100%
WOW, that's a really neat cage! 

Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)
GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)
GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56
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- Incubating
- Posts: 1016
- Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2012 8:17 pm
- Location: Memphis TN
Re: Gouldian hen not 100%
It's 4x4x 26in deep
The glass is from an old coffee table we had. The cage works well and is roomy enough for the birds.
When we introduce new birds, or have fledglings due I put glad wrap on the glass a bit wrinkly and they know it is solid. I've not had any problems with it.
The glass is from an old coffee table we had. The cage works well and is roomy enough for the birds.
When we introduce new birds, or have fledglings due I put glad wrap on the glass a bit wrinkly and they know it is solid. I've not had any problems with it.
Michelle P
Black Bellied Fire Finches
R/T Parrot finches (Normal and seagreen)
Forbes PF's
Blue Faced PF's
Gouldians
Owls
Variety of waxbills
Sun conure
10 rescued cats
4 Dobermans
Black Bellied Fire Finches
R/T Parrot finches (Normal and seagreen)
Forbes PF's
Blue Faced PF's
Gouldians
Owls
Variety of waxbills
Sun conure
10 rescued cats
4 Dobermans
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- Incubating
- Posts: 1016
- Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2012 8:17 pm
- Location: Memphis TN
Re: Gouldian hen not 100%
Also, the front and back and sides is just plywood with a hole cut out for the glass and mesh.
Michelle P
Black Bellied Fire Finches
R/T Parrot finches (Normal and seagreen)
Forbes PF's
Blue Faced PF's
Gouldians
Owls
Variety of waxbills
Sun conure
10 rescued cats
4 Dobermans
Black Bellied Fire Finches
R/T Parrot finches (Normal and seagreen)
Forbes PF's
Blue Faced PF's
Gouldians
Owls
Variety of waxbills
Sun conure
10 rescued cats
4 Dobermans