Bird Suffering Some Mental Illness

[Kamoodle]

After returning from my walk earlier today, I noticed one of my zebra finches could not stay on her perches and was flying around frantically to find a place to land. When on a perch she wouldn't keep her balance, always leaning backwards until she gave up and landed on the floor of the cage.

Once I removed most of everything from inside the cage to prevent any injuries, except for her food and water, she started plucking feathers off her wing. The struggle of yanking some of these feathers off would cause her to sometimes roll on her back, and even she had trouble getting back on her feet. Half of her wing is now gone, with a few feathers scattered on the bottom of the cage although there doesn't seem to be a sign of blood. By the way, she's been at the bottom of the cage after the previous incident. She even escaped and flew around the room while I tried to remove most items from the cage.

I want to assume her first erratic behavior is due to a psychological problem. I think her laying eggs nonstop for these couple years has finally nipped her in the butt lately, and she likely became egg bound. She's been getting plenty of calcium and vitamin-D though, from things like egg shells, calcium tablets, and even the morning sun. The reason for my assumption is her mom suffered a similar mental illness after being egg bound years ago.

Any advice on this predicament? Throughout the day I provided her light and heat to keep her comfortable. She has been eating so that's a small bit of good news. Sure is stressful to monitor a sick bird.

[lovezebs]

Kamoodle

http://birdcareco-shop.com/neck-twistin ... or-flying/

http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/features_twirling2.php

https://www.beautyofbirds.com/stargazing.html

I think you might find some answers in these articles.

[Kamoodle]

I think the solution is the liquid calcium, although I don't think I can get the specific brand recommended (the CalciBoost) in time unless pet stores like PetSmart sells them.

Would any other liquid calcium brands work fine?

Edit: Looks like PetSmart does have liquid calcium but only for reptiles.

[lovezebs]

Kamoodle

I'm not sure, but I would check on the bottle.
If it's just calcium with nothing else added to it, I think it should be ok. Even people calcium works if there is nothing else available.

Just add a drop to the corner of the beak, and let it dribble in.

Good luck, I hope it helps.

[Fraza]

Wow this sounds bad didn't even know they could get mental illnesses hope she gets better

[lovezebs]

Fraza

Hi Fraser,

Twirling, is not really a mental disease, although at times it might seem like the bird has gone nuts.

Read this, it will give you an idea what it's about...

https://www.beautyofbirds.com/stargazing.html

Gonna make you read my boy, lol

[Fraza]

Haha don't mix when it's something interesting haha but yeh I've had a quick read through and it is quite interesting but also strange scary aswell hope that it doesn't happen to one of mine

[Kamoodle]

Only thing I found at the pet store today was calcium powder with vitamin D3 and liquid calcium for reptiles. I do not know why PetSmart does not supply liquid calcium specifically for birds (or at least one at my nearest location). I decided to give the powder a go, as I fear there's nothing else currently available in time.

I made the powder into a liquid by mixing it with water and giving it to the bird that way. I actually have to hold her to distribute the substance. Also, even though she has her water dish nearby, she doesn't have the proper balance to stand up long enough to get a drink. What I've given her so far is all she's had for hydration.

[lovezebs]

Kamoodle

Poor girl...
I hope it helps her.

[Kamoodle]

Sadly, it seems like she's only getting worse. She's still plucking feathers off her wings, she isn't using her own feet to get around, and she hasn't struggled much whenever I've held her while giving her the calcium. In fact, once she was so docile that I was able to give the calcium to her directly without needing to catch her first. I think all I'm doing is delaying the inevitable, which is both heartbreaking and stressful.

[Fraza]

lovezebs I once been told by a long time breeder adding abit of sugar to water and mixing can make them better is this true

[lovezebs]

Fraza

There is a mixture that is beneficial for stressed birds, or birds who are feeling a bit under the weather....

Here is the recipe:

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... 44&start=0

[lovezebs]

Kamoodle

Sorry to hear that your bird is still not doing well.
It sounds like there might be more going on there. If you have an Avian Vet available, try giving them a call and see what they recommend.

Can you place her in a small hospital cage and provide her with a warm lamp ( a goose neck lamp with a 60w bulb is fine) with shade on one side of the cage so as not to overheat. If nothing else, this is something which all birds find comforting.

I hope she pulls through.

[Fraza]

Yeh can she not give this to recipe hers lovezebs

[lovezebs]

Fraza

Probably could, but I think there is something much more serious going on there .