Gouldian Mystery

[EV7582]

I have a Gouldian hen that's been perfectly healthy until the last 2 weeks. One day she was fine, the next she spent the entire day on the bottom of the cage. She hasn't been able to fly well at all since this came on. Initially, I thought it was egg binding and gave her extra egg shell and rushed out looking for liquid calcium. No eggs were passed, I took her to the vet last week, everything checked out fine. No egg, lungs clear, just a little undernourished.

Have had her solo in a hospital cage for the past few days. She's perching on the low perch, eating, drinking but still not flying well. Everything I've read points to a calcium deficiency. It all started shortly after her and her mate started spending time in the nest. Could she have been injured in the mating process? Any thoughts on what this could be? Would hate to lose her, she's really fought through whatever's going on here.

[debbie276]

I'd offer her hard boiled egg so you are sure she's getting the Vitamin D for calcium absorption and multiple calcium sources. Calcium can be found in egg shell, oyster shells and cuttlebone. Liquid calcium in her water may also help.

[EV7582]

Thanks Debbie. I have offered egg food but she hasn't had any interest. She has been eating the crushed egg shell but her flying is still not back to normal. Could it be anything else? She is eating and drinking fine but still not 100%.

[debbie276]

You could try to sprinkle her favorite seeds in with the egg and keep offering it daily, sometimes it takes a while for them to try new things. Nothing comes to mind of what this could be, sorry.

[breeze]

I hope your bird gets better soon.

[EV7582]

Thanks. I've added some loose millet to the egg food along with more crushed egg shell.

[EV7582]

Hen passed today after 5 weeks of fighting whatever was the issue. I think she was roughed up by the male and had internal injuries. Sad to see her go after fighting for life for so long.

[Sally]

So sorry you lost her. I don't have much experience with Gouldians, so have no idea what was her problem.

[EV7582]

Sally
Thanks Sally. She would eat, drink and perch a little but spent most of her time on the cage bottom. Great looking hen, tough to lose.

[Sam007]

So sorry!

[debbie276]

Very sorry for your loss

[EV7582]

Thanks Sam & Debbie.