I dont know why my Zebra finch died? =[

[Susan456]

I noticed yesterday that my finch (female) was a bit puffed up and sitting in the corner of her cage, when she saw me looking at her she wobbled around on her legs a bit. I thought i would go away from the cage so i wouldnt stress her out anymore, My birds usually get out their cage for freedom and when they hear me open the door they will fly out their cage and perch on a branch i put near the ceiling.. Anyway my bird has done this "sitting in the corner for a few hours lookin all fat" a few times before and i thought she may have just had a wee bump or something..so I was very sad to see she had passed away this morning.. Did i do something wrong? Im worried for her sister now as she looks very lonely.. Do I get another zebra finch for her??

Im not sure what to do please help.

susan

[JohnBoy]

Could the bird have been egg bound? Are you giving them eggshell or some form of calcium in the diet? Could the bird have flown into something while flying around freely?
And yes you should get another bird for her. Finches are social and don't like being alone.

[Susan456]

She may have been egg bound.. I thought they would get calcium through the seeds i give them. I used to have a cuttle stick they would peck at. I thought i had read up enough information on my birds but i only now have heard of this egg bound illness. If she was would her body not be big and puffy just now?? she is all slim now and i checked her body for injury but there was no sign of any.. she was only 2 years old =[.

[JohnBoy]

If you still have the deceased bird you can feel at her vent if their was an egg there.

[B CAMP]

Susan456
Welcome to the forum ,if you fill in your profile with where you live it makes it a lot easier to answer questions sometimes ,have you checked out the finch information center there is a lot of good reading there
http://www.finchinfo.com/birds/finches/ ... _finch.php

Sorry for your loss like JohnBoy said they like company

[cindy]

I am so sorry you lost your little zebra finch. I am sure it was nothing you did. Try this for added calcium also take the cuttlebone and a mineral block (they come in flavors I use one that looks like a pineapple) With a fine grate grate the soft side of the cuttlebone and the mieral block. Mix it up with some crushed oyster shells and offer it to them in a cup in addition to the cuttlebone.

I hope you can find a little friend for your remaining zebra finch.

[Susan456]

Thank you for your replies.

I felt my deceased bird and i dont feel an egg.. she looks fine. Her eyes and beak are closed, her wings are ok. Im confused and feel sad as I want to know why she died, what if I did something wrong?

Now I need to concentrate on making her sister happy, Do I buy another female finch right away? I wonder if she will be grieving for her sister?

Thanks for that link B Camp.. I think I've been on that website but I will check it again

[cindy]

I am sure it is nothing you did. As far as her sister goes I am sure she would welcome an new friend and enjoy the company. It is ok to get a new friend today if you want. She may stress being alone.

[FinchDegg]

theres a good shop on ebay if you wish to add oyster shell to her diet, £4.99 for 2 kg and free delivery, sorry for your loss, and i agree with cindy, she more likely to be stressed if left alone to grieve as zebbies are colony birds,

Goodluck