My BCCB female has died

For concerns related to avian illness and wellbeing.
mike
Novice Nester
Novice Nester
Posts: 420
Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2009 3:21 pm
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada

My BCCB female has died

Post by mike » Thu May 14, 2009 6:07 pm

I came home to day to find my female BCCB sitting on the floor of the cage, fluffed up, and sleepy. I went to pick her up and she didn't fly. I suppose she's going to part soon.

I'm not sure why. I removed her nest last week and replaced it with a clean (empty) one. Maybe she has eggs inside her but a week should have been enough time to build another nest. She is also a little bald on the top of her head but I don't know if that's related.

The male is singing up a storm now, even if I stand right in front of him. It looks like he really wants her to perk up. I think he'll be disappointed, unfortunately.
Last edited by mike on Fri May 15, 2009 7:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mike
2 Finch-eating cats
Image

mike
Novice Nester
Novice Nester
Posts: 420
Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2009 3:21 pm
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada

Post by mike » Thu May 14, 2009 6:22 pm

Aww, he's grooming her. He loves her :oops:
Mike
2 Finch-eating cats
Image

User avatar
dfcauley
Molting
Molting
Posts: 6892
Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:28 am
Location: Carrollton, Georgia

Re: I think my BCCB female is close to death

Post by dfcauley » Thu May 14, 2009 6:23 pm

Gosh.... hate to hear that. Is it possible that she is eggbound? Could you put her under a heat lamp and get her really warm to see if it helps?
I hope she makes it. So sorry to hear this :cry:
Donna

User avatar
Sally
Mod Extraordinaire
Mod Extraordinaire
Posts: 17929
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:55 pm
Location: DFW, Texas

Post by Sally » Thu May 14, 2009 7:13 pm

It does sound like she might be eggbound. As Donna said, a heat lamp can work wonders. If you have any liquid calcium, a drop directly in her beak could help if it is eggbinding. Hope she will get better.
3 Purple Grenadiers, 1 Goldbreast + 1 cat.

National Finch & Softbill Society - http://www.nfss.org

User avatar
lovemyfinch
Mod Extraordinaire
Mod Extraordinaire
Posts: 10036
Joined: Tue Mar 31, 2009 7:12 am
Location: St-Hippolyte, Qc

Post by lovemyfinch » Thu May 14, 2009 7:44 pm

I hope she feels better. :(
Janine

shaftails,gouldians,societies,green singers,owls,cubans, and 1 parrotlet
Image

mike
Novice Nester
Novice Nester
Posts: 420
Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2009 3:21 pm
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada

Post by mike » Thu May 14, 2009 8:06 pm

Ok, I can try the heat lamp. I don't have liquid calcium, though. Is this something I should invest in for the future? Thanks for the tips!

...

Well, I don't have any lamps so I have to use a undertank heater (for reptiles). SInce she's on the ground it should work. There are no branches so she can't fly up but there is space on the floor for no heat so she can thermoregulate.

BTW, her cloaca is deep pink and a little swollen. So maybe she really is eggbound. I hope the egg(s) passes so she can get better. She did fly up to the top branch but I just removed her to the quarantine cage anyway.

She is a beautiful bird. It would be a grave shame to lose her.
Mike
2 Finch-eating cats
Image

User avatar
L in Ontario
Mod Emeritus
Mod Emeritus
Posts: 13365
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2006 10:29 am
Location: Barrie, Ontario Canada
Contact:

Post by L in Ontario » Thu May 14, 2009 8:35 pm

It would be a shame to loose her. I agree - put her alone in a small cage and put a lamp - any lamp very close by for heat in one corner or side of the cage but allow for her to move away from it if she doesn't want/need it. Also get a towel and soak it in hot water and wring it out just so it isn't dripping - then drape it over the small cage. This will provide her with humidity.

Yes - one drop liquid calcium directly to her beak could help greatly in getting her to pass the egg. Also calcium should be added to the drinking water at least once a week along with cuttlebone in the cage for them to knaw on.

Also in addition to seeds, when they are breeding (or moulting) - even before, provide them with fresh eggfood with the shell - mashed or processed in a food processor for a few seconds to crush/mix the shell.

The baldness on top of her head could be from allopreening - when the pair preen each other. I wouldn't worry about that too much - unless it gets severe.

Good luck!!
Liz

User avatar
cartel
Perfect Partner
Perfect Partner
Posts: 366
Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 2:04 pm
Location: Ontario,Canada

Post by cartel » Thu May 14, 2009 8:38 pm

Mike scrape some cuttlebone in the water along with some vitamins in the same water if it contains vitamin D.

mike
Novice Nester
Novice Nester
Posts: 420
Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2009 3:21 pm
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada

Post by mike » Thu May 14, 2009 8:54 pm

They won't touch cuttlebone. I don't know why. I've placed in in every location I can but they just won't touch it.

I don't keep eggs in the house. I've been using commercial egg food and calcium grit. I can try and swipe another egg from my parents' house. What is liquid calcium and where do I find it?

I still don't have a lamp. With all this energy efficiency stuff I've got nothing left in the house. I'll see if I can get the living room lamp in there.

I'll try the hot towel and I'll try the calcium and vitamins in the water.

We'll see how things go.

The male won't shut up, either. The lights are off and he's still going at full voice.
Mike
2 Finch-eating cats
Image

User avatar
L in Ontario
Mod Emeritus
Mod Emeritus
Posts: 13365
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2006 10:29 am
Location: Barrie, Ontario Canada
Contact:

Post by L in Ontario » Thu May 14, 2009 9:37 pm

The fastest way to get liquid calcium would be to call around to your local petstores and ask them. Other wise it is available online and will take about 4-5 days to get it where I get mine (New Brunswick) -

https://healthybird.net/store/advanced_ ... 52f9165bad

All your breeding birds need to be getting liquid calcium. You can also scrape the cuttlebone into their seeds - they won't get much, but they will get some.
Liz

mike
Novice Nester
Novice Nester
Posts: 420
Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2009 3:21 pm
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada

Post by mike » Thu May 14, 2009 9:48 pm

Other than Vince's, the only pet stores around here are PJ's and Petsmart. I don't know if they will have it.

I tried the lamp but the male CB won't stop calling her. I shut off the lamp and just left the under tank heater. It's the best I can do if I want any sleep.
Mike
2 Finch-eating cats
Image

User avatar
BillD
4 Eggs Laid
4 Eggs Laid
Posts: 827
Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2008 9:30 pm
Location: Dallas/Fort Worth Texas

Post by BillD » Thu May 14, 2009 10:36 pm

I did a search and found liquid calcium available at Petsmart. It is in their aquarium section (Salt Water).

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=2754101

I don't know if that is the same thing everyone is talking about or if that would work for you. Just trying to offer up a suggestion. The main ingredient in that one is Deionized water, calcium chloride.

The ingredients in the other posted are Active ingredients: Magnesium, Vitamin D3, Calcium

Hope others with more experience can tell you.

Best of Luck!
2 polydactyl Snowflake felines and a new Panther non-poly feline.. Working on building the bloodline of the local Fawn Owls.

mike
Novice Nester
Novice Nester
Posts: 420
Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2009 3:21 pm
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada

Post by mike » Fri May 15, 2009 6:05 am

Thanks for that tip. I do appreciate it, but the calcium in liquid calcium is calcium gluconate which is think is used in some human vitamins. I will try Petsmart anyway, though. I already ordered it online from the store Liz suggested but maybe I'll need it before it arrives.

The female is actually doing really well right now. She's hopping around and eating and her feathers have gone down. I don't see any eggs, though.

Well I'll keep you updated. She should be fine.

Her darn partner is having a fit, though. He already started belting them out early this morning.
Mike
2 Finch-eating cats
Image

User avatar
lovemyfinch
Mod Extraordinaire
Mod Extraordinaire
Posts: 10036
Joined: Tue Mar 31, 2009 7:12 am
Location: St-Hippolyte, Qc

Post by lovemyfinch » Fri May 15, 2009 7:36 am

That's great news Mike. :D
Janine

shaftails,gouldians,societies,green singers,owls,cubans, and 1 parrotlet
Image

User avatar
Finch Fry
Expecting
Expecting
Posts: 1116
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:16 pm
Location: Evansville, IN USA

Post by Finch Fry » Fri May 15, 2009 8:34 am

Annoying bird is a happy bird!!!

(my finches starts up at about 615 am EVERY day) As for annoyance, my male star is right now tearing up the flooring in his cage, makes SOOO much noise and sings while he does it.
Goulds, Owls, Gold Breasts, Stars, Zebras, Societies
An obscene number of chicks and eggs
And an incredibly rare St. Goldena Breast finch
Anyone want some finches???
-Chris 8-[

Post Reply