Totally stressed finches

[KarenB]

I had been putting off clipping the nails of my gold-breasted waxbills because I really didn't want to stress them out by trying to capture with a net. I set up a cage trap inside the flight, but that didn't work out, mainly because I couldn't get the right two finches in it. So I had to resort to the net, and, well, over an hour period of time I managed to let five finches loose in the house and then finally caught the two I needed for clipping. While I was torturing them, I went ahead and caught the two lavender waxbills and, teeth clenched, plucked their chest feathers for DNA sexing. I'm not sure who was more stressed, me or the birds.

So I made an electrolyte solution (thanks MiaCarter for posting the recipe on your website) and replaced the filtered water in the tube feeder with it, and I also placed another small container of it on the bottom of their cage. Is there something else I can give them for the stress? I've had a couple of rum and cokes myself, but I'm thinking the finches won't appreciate that as much.

[Corkysgirl]

Wow! Sounds like a harrowing experience! I love and use Rescue Remedy by Bach. They have a the remedy for Pets also, but I've used the human one, which has alcohol in it. It just evaporates out...same ingredients...so either one can be used. http://www.directlyfromnature.com/Rescu ... _s/1962.ht
http://www.holisticbirds.com/pages/bach0501.htm
It has brought two of my birds back from near death situations. I REALLY love it for humans...better than Rum and Coke!
You can buy it on Amazon, or Vita Cost, or Health Food stores, other online stores.

[MiaCarter]

Catching can be a stressful experience for everyone involved!

But it's worth it for nail clippings, as I've seen the alternative. One time, I got a cage of four society finches from the rescue for fostering. All four looked as though they'd never had a nail clipping....ever.
Their nails were so long. If they tried to land on one of the bars on the side of the cage, they would get stuck, fluttering around with their legs stuck to the cage until they got the right angle and got lose. So needless to say, nail clipping was the first thing we did!

So in times of stress, I do like you did, offering electrolytes.
I also offer some of their extra favorite healthy foods - the things they love, love, love to eat. (In my case, bugs and cucumbers).
I also offer a heat lamp, and turn off all the overhead lights.
The heat lamp is relaxing and soothing. And turning off the bright lights in the room sends everyone into calm, relaxation mode.

I've heard great things about rescue remedy for use with dogs and cats, and I'd never heard to use it with birds! I definitely need some!

[Sally]

Where do you get Rescue Remedy?

[Rox]

Sally

Have a look in the homeopathic section for Rescue Remedy. I've used it for years on horses, dogs, cats and myself Works well and being natural, the chance of overdosing is minimal.

[Corkysgirl]

Here is the link on Amazon so you can read some reviews. It's like anything else...everyone has their viewpoint of how it works for them and each case is different. Also some need more than others. It has saved my birds that on two occasions were laying on their side near death. I was very surprised! I used the regular RR...not the Pet RR...really because they didn't make it at the time...so now I just keep using it. The regular has the alcohol, and the pet version has a glycerin base. My dog is neurotic and I give it to her...for my sake!!! They have it at many Health food stores, online, etc. 20 oz is the best buy.
http://www.amazon.com/Bach-LA-AM-FU-Res ... emedy+bach
http://www.amazon.com/Bach-Rescue-Remed ... emedy+bach
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... catid=1233
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng ... 4=&veh=sem
(P.S. Rescue Sleep is great for humans)

[finchmix22]

Corkysgirl
How much did you give your finches? For how long? Sounds very interesting. I may try that, but was not sure which one of their several products listed was the best choice for finches.

[KarenB]

Thanks for the suggestions! It wasn't long after the torture that all their lights went out, anyway, so I guess that was good. And this morning they don't seem to have been affected much by the experience except when I put my hand in there. Doh.

One thing I did notice, my male gold breast is missing his long front-facing toe on his left foot. It looks like it never developed. I find it interesting that I never noticed that before. In fact, I clipped the right side, then the left, and I'm going, "How did I miss that toe? Oh, there is no toe!" Well, he seems to get along just fine without it.

[MiaCarter]

KarenB -- Isn't that curious about the toe!

One of my recent babies that passed away (Priscilla's tossed clutch) was missing all his toes. He was just a couple days old, so really difficult to see, but there seemed to be a foot and ankle and some toe nubs. So if he'd survived, I bet he would have had a foot with little nubby toes.

I was telling my breeder friend about it and she said that missing or short toes are the most common birth defect among couples that typically produce totally normal, healthy babies.
(Of course, with inbred clutches, I've heard you can see lots of other more serious problems.)

I bet your little guy should be just fine!
I've seen animals with serious defects adapt like you wouldn't believe!
In fact, there was a story about a cockatoo here in Ft. Myers who'd been attacked by her mate. A doc in Miami gave her prosthetics, cleverly made from bone pins and dental acrylic!
http://www.paw-talk.net/forums/f61/arti ... -6711.html

[KarenB]

MiaCarter, that's an awesome story about that cockatoo! I'm glad he was able to save her and actually get her to walking. Amazing.

[Colt]

I remember seeing this on Animal Planet years ago. It was very touching. Such a good reminder that where there's a will, there's a way.