My Finches STARVE Themselves in the bird room!

[Domenic]

I recently turned a room into a bird room for my finches. Right now there is a fake tree, a nest, a few perches, etc. I put a few finches in there and at first they were very stunned. They stayed an entire day just in the tree. I continued checking in on them everyday and they never moved from the spots I left them. They were too afraid to venture and find the food and water bowls. I figured that a bird who already knew the birdroom would teach the other that it was safe, but unfortunately the bird room is brand new and everybody is afraid of it. It got to the point that I went in there and my orange cheek got startled and flew into a wall and collapsed from exhaustion! He probably hadn't eaten in days because he was too afraid. I immediately removed them from the room and put them back in cages to replenish their health and eat, but how will I ever introduce them to the bird room again?

[JohnBoy]

Try putting the cages in the bird room and leaving the doors open. That way they can leave the cage and explore on their own and return if they want. When things are cool remove the cages.
Put a lot of feeding stations so that food will be visible in all directions. Also put a feeding station on the floor. Hope this helps.

[dfcauley]

When I add a new bird to my aviary..... I always make sure it is when I am home to watch them carefully.
I make sure they have found the food and water and then I do not go out there anymore than necessary so they become familiar with it.

I usually have to add water and food stations for a while and put some on the floor. It usually takes about a week.....

[Ursula]

My birds did the same thing when I put them in my aviary/bird room for the first time. They didn't know what to do with all the free space and when they got startled flew into the ceiling!

I suggest: Put millet spray in the tree so they can get to it easily. Put a table with water and seed trays rirght next to the tree so they can get to it by just hopping from the tree to the table without having to fly a longer distance. But keep all the feeders and waterers where you eventually want them to go, even if they don't touch it right now. Over time they will get used to it and start flying around and discover that it's actually fun. Birds that have been in a cage for so long don't even have the muscle strength to fly so they tire so easily, they have to build that up by venturing out just short distances first.

Mine needed a few weeks before they were getting off their usual hangouts and started exploring the entire room.

[dfcauley]

[quote="Ursula"]

. Birds that have been in a cage for so long don't even have the muscle strength to fly so they tire so easily,.[/quote

ExactuallY!! I am amazed at how poorly some birds can fly when I first put them in the aviary. It is right sad..... They just flap their wings around and as said.....they tire very easily.

My little fire finch that couldn't fly, I put a table near his tree as suggested with a seed mix and water along with millet. After about a week he was out and about. I still haven't seen him go to the regular food station so I have kept it there and will until I see him go to the fountain and food station.

It takes a little time.....