star finches dead??????

[tom07]

lately i have had 2 male star finches i just bought to females and that night both males were dead next to each other so i bought another male and that died to wats going on?????????? thanks

[finchbreeder]

Where are you?
Could be that they had not been able to find a nice warm roosting spot.
Particularly if the aviary they came from is better protected than yours.
As I discovered myself. Recently bought a pair of split pied Ruddies up from Perth, and the cock is doing fine, but the hen lasted a week. A cold night happens often at this time of the year.
Warmer weather is safer for buying finches, but yes I know we get them when we can.
LML

[tom07]

hello im in mt gambier and thankyou for that and sorry but wat does LML meant

[mickw]

Sorry to hear you're having trouble, Stars shouldnt cause too much trouble......BUT......

I'm just getting back into it after many years off and have been studying all the do's & dont's.....

There's a couple of things you could do to improve your chances....you might already be doing some...

During Transport:

Pick up your birds from the breeder/dealer/shop/mate early in the morning

Transport them in a carry cage & cover the front to keep them calm

Get them home quick.......try to avoid doing other things along the way....ie minimise the ravel time for your birds

bring 'em home & put them into quarantine at home......like a canary breeding cage or something

Give them electrolytes in their water asap.......moving is a very stressful time for little birdies......stress can reduce their immune response to simple things

worm them after about 2-3 weeks in quarantine

Keep them in quarantine for at least 4 weeks......this allows you to observe any problems with them and gives them a chance to settle a bit.........you dont want to inadvertedly introduce an illness into your existing flock

Place the quarantine cage in your aviary early in the morning of release day and open the cage door and let them step out into their new world in their own time.....leave the cage in the aviary for the next day or so with food & water in it.....its been home for the last month so its familiar

This all sounds a bit over the top but its really not alot of extra trouble......its just painstakingly patient!............less stressfull for you birds.....and hopefully your wallet!

Inside the aviary:

It should be warm & free of draughts, clean water & feed.....

Mouse Proof

Dry floor (concrete, gravel or sand)......covering the entire roof will help here too

Brush the shelter with tea tree, bracken or whatever

Manageing stress in newly acquired birds can really reduce losses. Others on the forum can probably offer more advice......

Good Luck

[mickw]

I just read your For Sale ad...........

Do you have your Stars in with your Lovebirds & Quarrions???? Plenty of people do it, but I bet most of them suffer high finch losses........especially new finches introduced into the aviary..............again, its all about stress!

[tom07]

the lovebirds are in seperate cage

[Mattyboy]

Lovebirds are totally inappropriate to keep with finches.

I don't have any experience with cockatiels but I hear they are gentle. Their size, though, could potentially freak out finches and stress them.

[finchbreeder]

Lovebirds and budgies are two birds that should really only be kept with their own kind
cause they are both far to keen on chewing on anything handy
including finches or quail if they happen to be sharing an aviary
LML

[tom07]

is it ok to put male budgies with a pair of lovebirds

[cranberry]

is it ok to put male budgies with a pair of lovebirds

I would never put budgies or lovebirds with anything else. Ever! I would even hesitate to put many budgies together. I would only do so if there are no breeding boxes available.