Gouldian can't stand on her feet.

[ac12]

I just got a 2nd hen with the same twisted neck. She came from a different cage than the first one, and is not related.
No change to the first one, same as before.
They both seem to be doing fine, except for the neck problem, active and moving about the cage. So at least that is a good thing.

[finchmix22]

I am very sorry to hear about your hens and the one that died. I might invest in a visit to an avian vet, if you have one nearby. That is very unusual and since medications did not seem to help, I wonder what's the problem. Well, prayers and air hugs to you and your finches!

[Corkysgirl]

Gary, I'm sorry your lost your bird!
It's very odd that you have another bird with symptoms when they are from different lineage and a different cage. What water source are you using. Could there be heavy metals in the water? If it were me, I would switch to distilled water for a time, just in case. It would make sense that this would be a source of injury to all the birds. I know there are ways to get your water tested. There are kits you can purchase to do this.

[MiaCarter]

Agreed with finchmix22 and Corkysgirl.

I too might invest in a vet visit.
And I might also look at their water, since that's a commonality among the cages.

Also, if you give supplements and vitamins, I'd double check to make sure your dosages are correct and to ensure you're not double-dosing on certain vitamins/minerals due to ingredient overlap among multiple supplements.
I may even back off supplements for a week or so to see if that helps.

I suppose it's possible it's a viral sort of thing; something akin to twirling? If you don't disinfect between tending to each cage, I suppose it's possible you could spread something? Or maybe it could go airborne?

Really perplexing!
I hope you get it sorted out!
It seems too uncommon to be a coincidence.

[debbie276]

I've heard that twirling symptoms could be caused from an inner ear infection. Not sure how you would check that out but it may be worth investigating.
Distilled water is NOT good for any living thing.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, carbon dioxide in the air dissolves in distilled water which makes its pH acidic - usually between five and six tenths and seven. To neutralize distilled water, they suggest adding 1/8 teaspoon baking soda or a drop of ammonia. Some believe that drinking water that has an acidic pH is dangerous to your health.
Drinking distilled water robs your body of its natural source for many minerals essential to good health. This results in mineral loss in the body with increases your risk for osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, hypothyroidism, hypertension, coronary artery disease and premature aging.
The WHO and others studied the use of distilled water and found that because it is stripped of all minerals it can cause electrolyte imbalances in your body. Your body will leach electrolytes from your tissues in order to add them to the mineral free water you are drinking.

[Corkysgirl]

The recommendation of distilled water was just a short term solution in case there was toxins in the water. Yes, it's very important to get proper electrolyte balance. If given distilled water, I would also give NV powder, and make sure they are getting proper minerals to counterbalance what they are lacking.

[finchmix22]

debbie276
Great advice and information on distilled water. I had no idea.

[wildbird]

I just buy spring water. The bottle should specify what springs it came from. Municipal water may have chemicals in it, so I don't use it.

[MiaCarter]

wildbird -- Yes! That's super important to see that it's actually from a spring.
Some bottle water actually says it's sourced from a municipal water supply!
I use Nestle Pure Life, sourced from "Deep Underground Wells in Lee, FL"

[wildbird]

MiaCarter, you have to read the label on everything. Yes, it could say spring water & be from a municipal supply. Very misleading.

[dutch]

ac12.....how many gouldians do you have?

Indoors or outdoors?

[ac12]

22 adults + 4 nestlings
All indoors. I don't trust the night animals here, to do anything outdoors.