Strawberry hen in distress....again

[dfcauley]

Yesterday after returning home from work I cleaned up my aviary and put out all fresh supplements. About an hour later I went and looked into it and saw my strawberry hen on the floor. I immediately got her up, put her under a heat lamp in a small cage. I then wrapped towels all around the cage that were damp, put some calcium on her beak, in her water and gave her millet. She was in BAD shape. She could not even sit straight. I FULLY expected to find her dead this morning. When I went into the aviary where the cage was, I had a paper towel in my hand to remove her with I was so sure she could not make it. And to my surprise she was flying around in the small cage. As I went to look, she flew right through the bars and got out into the aviary. I am still trying to figure that one out.

I did not see an egg anywhere in the cage, but she is attacking the egg shells and cuttle bones this morning. I decided not to stress her by trying to catch her back up and leave her for a while.

I don't know what to do about this egg laying she keeps doing. I know that sooner or later it will get her.

ANY suggestions?

[L in Ontario]

If she were my bird, I would separate her into her own cage for... (wait for it) couple of weeks at least to give her a break from the male. Could be they keep mating and hence the egg laying. If she is healthy, then it doesn't have to be a tiny cage but I think she needs a decent break at this time.

What do others think...?

I currenty have my Strawberry pair separated as the hen was going through the same type of feather-loss as my Star hen a few months ago. Quite naked on one side and around the preening gland as well but still active and alert. Since I saw the male chasing her one day I decided to separate her. She's doing really well now (2 weeks later) though I'll keep her separated for another few weeks. She is with my Fire Finch hen.

[CandoAviary]

I too would seperate her away from the male.(minimum 4 weeks) In the latest issue of NFSS there is a great article on breeding/resting and raising the healthiest birds. It is based on gouldians but pretty much this information applies to all birds .
Males will drive the finches into breeding...their hormones need a rest so that thier bodies can have a rest. Also the rich diet you feed year round will contribute to the constant breeding mode.
If you don't have access to this article I could send it to you. I found it most informative and plan on modeling my breeding program to better suit the recommendations.
Unfortunately the hen will continue to suffer if not given a rest. So sorry to hear she is not doing well.

[L in Ontario]

Thank you for saying 'four weeks minimum', Candace. I just didn't want it to sound so long to Donna but I agree with the four weeks.

[dfcauley]

Thank you for saying 'four weeks minimum', Candace. I just didn't want it to sound so long to Donna but I agree with the four weeks.

Do you think it would be okay to keep her in the aviary in a large cage where she can see and hear all the other birds and not be so lonely? Or ..... would that stress her too much?

I hate the thought of moving her into the house away from all the others.

I guess I am going to have to catch her with a net.

[L in Ontario]

I think a large cage inside the aviary would be just fine. If you happen to have a single (or extra) female in the aviary, she could be direct company for your Strawberry hen inside the large cage.

[dfcauley]

I guess they will feel like they are being punished.....(time out)

Too bad birds don't know when your trying to help them.

[L in Ontario]

No she'll feel like she is special and at the spa for a few weeks! No mate to pester her!!

[dfcauley]

No she'll feel like she is special and at the spa for a few weeks! No mate to pester her!!

That is a great way to think about it.

[ac12]

I have a gray zebra pair. The hen was constantly laying eggs, removing the nest or the eggs did not do anything to stop them from mating. She just laid the eggs in the food tray or from the perch (to crash to the cage floor). I finally had to separate them to stop her from laying. And I will keep them separated, as I'm trying to manage my population growth. Knowing them, the moment I put them together, they will mate.

[Sally]

Donna, how old is your Strawberry hen? As these hens age, they tend to get eggbound more easily. She will be just fine in a separate cage, especially if she has another hen to keep her company (or if you have a juvie LG or any juvie that has not molted into its adult plumage). She really needs a rest.

[dfcauley]

Sally, this hen is only a year old. She is the same one that I sent you the PM about her and the star finch.

She is now taking a little rest . I am considering rehoming her to someone that keeps their birds in cages.......