help??? please
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Jayburd
- ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
- Posts: 5795
- Joined: 08 Dec 2009, 12:08
- Location: Canberra
good
Julian
Birdwatcher and finch-keeper.
Feel free to check out my photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lewinsrail/
And my birding antics here: http://worthtwointhebushbirding.blogspot.com.au/
Birdwatcher and finch-keeper.
Feel free to check out my photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lewinsrail/
And my birding antics here: http://worthtwointhebushbirding.blogspot.com.au/
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finchbreeder
- ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
- Posts: 11630
- Joined: 27 Jun 2009, 20:00
- Location: Midwest of West. Aust. Coast
- Location: Midwest of West.Aust.Coast
What's the temperature like where you are now? Could they be cold? Are they in a new avairy that may not be as well portected as where they were before?
LML
LML
LML
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kimberley breeder
- ...............................
- Posts: 435
- Joined: 01 Aug 2010, 18:57
- Location: Perth/ Byford- WA
- Location: Perth - SOR
Can you post a pic Shanny....what do their eyes look like? Are their wings drooping??
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dano_68
- ...............................
- Posts: 262
- Joined: 20 Jul 2010, 22:29
- Location: Brisbane, QLD
Hi Shanny,
Are there any drafts in your aviary? Drafts are one of the worse killers! Finches can tolerate low temperatures, but drafts are no good. Finches have an average body temperature of around 42 Degrees C (compared to 38 for humans) so they have a very high metabolism. Therefore, their core temperature only has to drop by 1 or 2 degrees and they can get sick and die!
So that is one thing to consider – block off any drafts / wind.
Also, as someone mentioned, finches don’t do very well on a dry seed only diet. For me, dry seed only makes up about 30-35% of their diet. Of those seeds, I feed a large variety. And yes, NEVER buy seeds from a supermarket if you can help it. The best place to by seed is from Produce stores. Otherwise I get seed via mail order from Australian Wildlife Supplies (http://www.wildlifesupplies.com.au/) . They have heaps of seeds to choose from and very reasonable rates. I also get some of the BirdsRUs mixes – Tastes of Africa (birds go nuts over this), and Herb Mix (http://www.birdsrus.com.au/ ).
A good way to see if seed is still alive and eatable is to soak some for 24 hours. Drain it and if it doesn’t start to sprout by 12 hours later you know it is no good. BTW, if it spouts, give it to your birds straight away – they will love you for it! Sprouted seed is about 400% more nutritious than dry seed.
I feed all my seeds in separate containers, and just enough for 24 hours. Out of six small containers, my throw away rate is less than half of one container!
Thirdly, has it been raining a lot where you live? Immediately or during long periods of rain a give my birds Vetafarm Coccivet for the treatment of Coccidiosis. Coccidiosis can run rampant during and after wet periods. It can devastate flocks if it is not treated immediately.
You may also want to treat for worms and Cochlosomosis.
I hope this helps.
Are there any drafts in your aviary? Drafts are one of the worse killers! Finches can tolerate low temperatures, but drafts are no good. Finches have an average body temperature of around 42 Degrees C (compared to 38 for humans) so they have a very high metabolism. Therefore, their core temperature only has to drop by 1 or 2 degrees and they can get sick and die!
So that is one thing to consider – block off any drafts / wind.
Also, as someone mentioned, finches don’t do very well on a dry seed only diet. For me, dry seed only makes up about 30-35% of their diet. Of those seeds, I feed a large variety. And yes, NEVER buy seeds from a supermarket if you can help it. The best place to by seed is from Produce stores. Otherwise I get seed via mail order from Australian Wildlife Supplies (http://www.wildlifesupplies.com.au/) . They have heaps of seeds to choose from and very reasonable rates. I also get some of the BirdsRUs mixes – Tastes of Africa (birds go nuts over this), and Herb Mix (http://www.birdsrus.com.au/ ).
A good way to see if seed is still alive and eatable is to soak some for 24 hours. Drain it and if it doesn’t start to sprout by 12 hours later you know it is no good. BTW, if it spouts, give it to your birds straight away – they will love you for it! Sprouted seed is about 400% more nutritious than dry seed.
I feed all my seeds in separate containers, and just enough for 24 hours. Out of six small containers, my throw away rate is less than half of one container!
Thirdly, has it been raining a lot where you live? Immediately or during long periods of rain a give my birds Vetafarm Coccivet for the treatment of Coccidiosis. Coccidiosis can run rampant during and after wet periods. It can devastate flocks if it is not treated immediately.
You may also want to treat for worms and Cochlosomosis.
I hope this helps.