mites??? please help...

adiekaty · Post by **adiekaty** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 12:30 pm

hello... have zeb's and societies in outdoor aviary....noticed that a few have bald spots on their heads...They were fine a few weeks ago.. missing their featheres THERE.. also two have small wounds on their wings... not sure if this a parasite problem... I need something possibly to add to the water...they are always preening and get in the water all the time... so not sure what to do...
thanks..
adrienne

the.puppeteer · Post by **the.puppeteer** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:39 pm

Depending on the size of your flight and the number of Zebras in there (do you also keep the parakeets in with the finches?) it's possible that the Zebras are looking to breed and are being aggressive to each other, pulling out the feathers on the head and wings.

What is the size of your flight? How many of each species is in there? Are there any nests and how many?

If it is mites you can use chemicals such as Pestex which you spray on
*everything* in the flight including the birds. There are a few other types of treatments which hopefully others will chime in about.

Good luck!
-Julie

adiekaty · Post by **adiekaty** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:46 pm

thanks julie...
flight is 8x4x4

I have 4 society pairs and 1 zebra pair..
The zebs have 5 babies... weened and ready to move to new homes...
the societies have 4 babies...
More eggs in nest for the societies...

lots of nesting material and 4 nest...the zebs make their own nest...
and the female is the meanest out there, and she is the one that has the bald spot... nobody will pick on her... shes the boss..

thanks
adrienne

Finch Fry · Post by **Finch Fry** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 6:14 pm

No, she is not the boss. She is the meanest one out there because she is getting abused by everyone else. They are in breeding mode and are seeking softer nesting materials. The back of zebra hens is perfect for this. The males are plucking her. The injuries on wings are more than likely from bickering and having too many finches in the space or not enough nests for all the pairs. Take out ALL the nests OR add more nests and softer nesting material is my first suggestion.

Def not a good idea on the soc and zeb together either. typically the zebs will terrorize the socs.

Good luck, lets us know if we can help you out any more.

adiekaty · Post by **adiekaty** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 6:24 pm

thanks for the info... but no... she is the boss and she is the meanest... (she has a new home soon).. I have decided to keep just the societies.. Anyhow, I am out all the time.. and watch for hrs... she hogs all the food... nobody can eat til she is done... if she's on a perch and another finch lands (even her own baby) she squawks and chases em away...

After watching today... they are obsessivly preening...a few have raw spots on the tops of teir wings where they preen to much... we added a nest out there a few weeks ago that was in the yard (fallen from a tree) I am sure that's how I infected them with something... I am so mad at myself....Should have thought about it more before I added it... There was a batch of societies that ltook over the naest and fledged 5 babies.... There are several large dishes they can bathe in, wondering if there is something I can add to that... that would also be safe to drink?

looking for ideas... and suggestions...
Thanks,
Adrienne

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:37 pm

You might want to get some S76 and put it in their drinking water - making sure it is in all the water or in the ONLY source of water - so that they all have to drinkit. Yeah as you know now - it's not a great idea to bring any nest from outside to be used by your indoor birds, not good at all.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:45 pm

The s76 is a great product. They can bathe in it and drink the water. This will kill any mite on the inside and out.... worm, etc.....