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Re: Gouldian hen can't fly

Posted: 13 Mar 2011, 16:57
by Buzzard-1
bluebutterfly213 wrote:why do you think the calcium works so quickly?
I give Calcium Borogluconate to ewes that go down with pregnancy toxaemia gets them up within the hour.( I always called it sheep rum they become bullet proof )

Re: Gouldian hen can't fly

Posted: 13 Mar 2011, 17:26
by Myzomela
Fancy having the nerve to hijack your own thread Natamambo!!!!!!! ;)

If her calcium levels were borderline to begin with, particularly if she is laying, then separating her so she can rest and adding calcium for a few days may be all she needs. The more severely she is affected, the longer she'll take to recover.

I'd be cautious about letting her nest again too quickly- she may go the same way- or worse!

Re Moulting issues:
1) Plucking feathers has been used to induce a new moult BUT bear in mind that some primary flight feathers actually attach to the bones of the wing. As well as being extremely painful, plucking can damage the feather follicles ruining them for good ie they will never produce normal feathers again.
2) I would be increasing the plane of nutrition in this bird. If it does decide to moult it needs to have lots of energy, a good range and amount of amino acids, vitamins, minerals and trace elements to form normal feathers again- so plenty of fresh greens, high protein soft food and some supplements

Be also mindful that this bird may have other underlying problems which may be causing the feathering issues.

Re: Gouldian hen can't fly

Posted: 13 Mar 2011, 17:45
by natamambo
Only other time (about 8 years ago) we had trouble with a hen lacking calcium was a long tail who was laying and she was very sick (almost lost her), she was so deficient (for some reason) vet decided she was laying eggs *without* shells rather than she was suffering diarrhea as well :worry: . This time around I presume, as myzo says, that she was a little bit down rather than being that deficient.

She hoed into the cuttlebone in her cage, never had finches go for it before, so I've put some in the aviary too. In general I've never found the need to give the birds calcium supplements (other than a very liberal supply of grit mixed in with the seeds) but maybe it's time to do something different for the gouldians. I tried to buy a calcium / vitamin block over the last couple of days and all the shops wanted to sell me liquid (which I have but isn't practical in a large bowl in an aviary) - any suggestions? I'm sure that Biocal from birdsrus is good stuff but it's waay more than I need right now.

Re: Gouldian hen can't fly

Posted: 13 Mar 2011, 18:19
by jusdeb
Biocal can be ordered online in 500g and 2 kilo tubs ...http://www.mewarehouse.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Gouldian hen can't fly

Posted: 13 Mar 2011, 22:53
by GregH
Oops - my appologies about hijacking your post. Just ment to show that these things can't always be easily diagnosed and cured. Glad you could get your bird flying. Mine won't be flying until it gets new feathers. and it won't get those until the old ones fall out!

Re: Gouldian hen can't fly

Posted: 14 Mar 2011, 07:41
by Myzomela
There are lots of good calcium grit supplements available.
A good one for Gouldians is a regular supply of cooked,crushed egg shells.
Also on-line try the Australian Pigeon Company website- Dr Colin Walker has a good range of supplements including biocal & picking stones- eg calcium cake.
http://www.auspigeonco.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or phone 03 9764 9000

Re: Gouldian hen can't fly

Posted: 14 Mar 2011, 10:52
by finchbreeder
To give calcium in liquid form, remove the regular water supply (and if like me you have auto watering turn it off) then put in a much smaller bowl with the liquid calcium mix. Do this for a day or 2 as and when required, replacing with the regular water supply for most of the time. Saves hunting for the blocks if you already have the liquid, or find it easier to source.
LML

Re: Gouldian hen can't fly

Posted: 04 Aug 2019, 09:43
Hi, my gouldian finch has not been able to fly for about two weeks. he keeps turning his head around rotating it in a strange way and is stuck at the bottom of the aviary. Same thing happened to my canary a couple of months ago but recovered in about 5 days

Re: Gouldian hen can't fly

Posted: 04 Aug 2019, 14:08
by Brisbane_Finches_333
Hi, his he/she out of the nest yet? Have the parents been feeding him/her? Is their diet just seed or do you feed other things like egg shells and soft food for rearing?

Thanks

Re: Gouldian hen can't fly

Posted: 04 Aug 2019, 19:42
by Craig52
Sounds like he has the disease twirling or also called star gazing. It is generally untreatable and although it might come good it always comes back. I think it's an acquired brain injury or inner ear infection or something like vertigo in humans. In humans it is treated with heavy antibiotics or viral medications but in birds it is very hard to treat if treatable.