My New Gouldians

[slwatson]

lovezebs

He is so gorgeous!

[slwatson]

Animalzoo

I'm so glad they had someone like you to come along and give them a second chance. I've heard people say don't buy birds like that, because you're just making more room for the store owner to cram more birds into their cages, but it's so heartbreaking seeing them in that condition. I would really be torn if I had to see them like that. I wish you the best of luck with your new birds, and keep posting pictures!

[lovezebs]

Animalzoo

How are the kids doing today?

[Spreckles]

this is such a great thread. how much is the last bird? do you want to save it? can we chip in? and while your there you can just turn loose the 1000 fleas from camels into this store owners armpits!!!! YEAH WHOOPASS! can this joker be turned in for bird abuse? what an idiot. i am new and know he is an idiot and heartless too.

Good job. I am sure these are in quarantine which I learned the hard way. Your getting great advice. I found a vet here that only charges $40 that I am taking my old blue too for his persistent crusty cheeks; which I think is very reasonable, considering we have NO birds to BUY I will fix up my little old man.

The irony of this is not lost on me, tragic. I am so proud of yu for saving these wee ones from a slow sickly death.



Karen

[Animalzoo]

Hi guys doing ok so far. They've been munching on the foods and popping from perch to perch. Im noticing lethargy towards the end of the day and the odd one is taking naps every now and then.

There's no physical changes in them but I doubt there would be this soon.

How verbal are Gouldians generally? These 5 are very quiet so I'm not familiar with their normal noises.

Also one of the red faced girls has hurt a wing. She's sitting on the floor most of the time and her wings are in their natural position but she's twitching them. The side im suspicious about seems to have lost some flight feathers i think. I didn't bring her home like this. All 5 are jumpy and I find they crash around too much when I go to put in feeder bowls. I think she's hurt herselve this way.

Im out just now but will put some photos up later xx

[lovezebs]

Animalzoo

Hi Sue

Glad to hear that your new feathered babes are eating well.

Given their history, I'm not surprised that they are flighty. If they are in fairly small cages, that behavior will be more so (no where to get away from the giant human ). Napping during the day, just shows that they are still weak , and need to conserve energy (but I would keep an eye on it).

As in regards to singing : Only the males sing, and it's a soft whispery song. The females chirp and make different little sounds. They are not loud birds by a long shot.

Once your new kids begin to feel better and more comfortable, you should be hearing more sounds and songs.

As in regards to their flighty behavior, I would spend time in their presence. Just sitting quietly, allowing them to get used to you. You can talk to them quietly, not make any sudden moves, and just chill in their company. It's amazing how quickly they will come around.

Are you offering a heat lamp ? Just a goose neck lamp with a 40 to 60 bulb over a favorite perch will do wonders . They will absolutely love it, and spend hours basking under it's warmth. This is very comforting for them, and very helpful for birds that are feeling under the weather.

[Animalzoo]

lovezebs

Hi, thanks for your reply. They've all been eating well today and I think each day is settling them in more and more. I've relocated their cage to a higher position for a sense of security.

It's nice to see them flock to the fresh food I put in. Once I got back this afternoon I gave them anther round of eggs and salad. They are still perky and I can't get over how alert the baby vulture is.

I don't have a heat lamp however we are mild right now. Our daytime temps are into the 20's and our evenings have been warm too. I'd go as far as saying the room they are in remains easily into the teens overnight. I understand it's not just about the ambient temperature as the cosey extra warmth helps with poorly birds but if it was colder I would go to the shops and get one. For now I think they're ok.

The little red head girl has lost her flight feathers on one wing. She can't fly and sits at the bottom. Considering this she isn't as flighty as the others.



Mellow-Yellow is very twitchy and flighty. I got a better photo of him/her today and you can see the thin feathers on its head. Any ideas why this may be? And any more gender suggestions?



This is often how they sit and chill out on the perches throughout the day. The black head boy and mellow-yellow more so.



This one is looking good.



And baby Vulture today

[debbie276]

They all look like hens to me except the BH.
Have you been able to treat them for mites yet? If not I would treat for air sac mites, Scaley mites amd feather mites. Then you will know for sure they are not twitching and losing feather from any type of mite.
Glad they are eating and drinking well. Be sure to offer hard boiled eggs for the added protein and all the great nutrients eggs offer.

[Animalzoo]

I'm giving them eggs, not an egg food so already have this covered.

The only mite treatment I have is for scaley face and leg mites that was supplied by the vet for my budgies. It's a hand made remedy so I'm not sure what ingredients it has and if it's safe for the finches. I'd rather not gamble.

I visited ladygouldianfinch.com and found all the products you mentioned. The website does ship to Spain but at $34 it's a tad high. I googled for the same products and I could buy easily in the UK but there's no shipping to Europe. Typical.

What product covers feather mites? My shopping list so far will be:
Scatt
S76
Wormout Gel
I was reading and the website says to consider having amoxycillin. Is that an overkill?

[debbie276]

Scatt or S76 should cover it or any mites spray like avian insect liquidator (AIL) would work for feather mites. If you can look at the ingredients and then find a product that uses the same you'll be fine.
I've never used amoxycillin so not sure that would be needed for basic mite treatment.
Hope someone here can jump in with a product you could easily get in Spain. That shipping charge is crazy.
Best of luck

[lovezebs]

Animalzoo

Hey Sue...

I agree with Debbie, other than Mr Black head, they do all look like girlies.

I love Baby Vulture, lol.
I'd be rubbing a drop of olive oil on her poor little feet, they look so uncomfortable.

[Animalzoo]

Scatt and wormout gel now ordered but delivery is a few weeks. Also found a spray for feather mites.

I'm going to have to go in there and handle them tomorrow. I need to trim down the nails of Dolly Parton so now, as per Elanes advice I'll take hold of baby vulture and oil her up too. It'll be a good opportunity to hold and inspect them all up close.

In your opinion should I leave them in the smaller cage where they are now, technically its a bit small for 5. It's just I've got these 76 x 45.5 x 46 cm (L x W x H) cages being delivered next week I was going to move them all to but now Dolly Parton can't fly what's the best course of action?

[lovezebs]

Animalzoo

I would move all the birds (other than Dolly) into the bigger cage. The 30 x 18 x 18 inch flight, is a good size for two finches. Are you going to attach them together into a larger flight?

Dolly will probably do better in a small hospital cage, with a couple of low perches, until her wing is back to normal.

Good luck with catching them tomorrow. It will be a stressful day for both you and them. I would strongly recommend undertaking this adventure in a room with closed windows and door. If there are mirrors, cover them.

[Animalzoo]

Nails clipped and some treatment applied.

I lookd much closer at Dollys wings. All the main flight feathers on one side are gone. The skin is dry and sore, so I suspect mites again. All her nails were successfully trimmed though.

Vulture face is the same. All her skin is dry and sore. I decided to try the mite treatment I have for the budgies on her as she looked worse than any of the others. Waiting 2 weeks is too long for the new stuff.

I also checked out yellow-mellow who had a few longish nails, now clipped also. Her skin looks ok.

Malanitise boy is also a little dry on his feet so also used some drops on is his legs.

All in all, it wasn't too stressful and everyone seemed to recover ok quickly and were happily perching afterwards. I'm still struck by how chilled baby vulture is and how active she is. So very strong considering what she has gone through.

[debbie276]

Glad things are working out
Best of luck