How to fatten her up?

20 Aug 2011, 09:02

One of our young gouldians has been in the hospital cage due to air sac mites. We have given her 3 doses of moxydection, one a week. She has had seed and occasionally greens. However her sternum is so pronounced, so she must be really skinny... We want to acclimatize her to the outdoors so we can put her back in the aviary but also need to make sure she is stronger and fatter. What can we give her to fatten her up? have been giving her the moulting mix described in the ABK book on gouldians - about 45% canary seed, various millets and a little bit of niger. is there something else that would be better for her?
Thanks.

20 Aug 2011, 09:27

I'd also give her a broad spectrum vitamin supplement & some sprouted &/or half ripe grass seed.

20 Aug 2011, 11:25

Thanks Tiaris, will get vitamins today. Don't have sprouted seed but will do some that she can have in a couple of days. Might also get a tonic for her.

20 Aug 2011, 17:42

A soft food or egg food may also help.

Just be careful that she doesn't have other underlying problems that could be holding her back. If she doesn't regain her weight over the next week or two then there may be other diseases issues present.

30 Aug 2011, 17:33

There's a product called THE GOOD OIL (made by passwell) which you can buy from pet shops/ bird dealers. Has omega 3 and 6 blend fatty acids for birds. Mix it as per instructions in with seed. Works a treat! Good for egg-bound birds too!

30 Aug 2011, 17:48

flap wrote:One of our young gouldians has been in the hospital cage due to air sac mites. We have given her 3 doses of moxydection, one a week. She has had seed and occasionally greens. However her sternum is so pronounced, so she must be really skinny... We want to acclimatize her to the outdoors so we can put her back in the aviary but also need to make sure she is stronger and fatter. What can we give her to fatten her up? have been giving her the moulting mix described in the ABK book on gouldians - about 45% canary seed, various millets and a little bit of niger. is there something else that would be better for her?
Thanks.

Are you sure it was ASM ? does she have dirty vent? sounds strange the moxy hasn't picked her up yet? as Myzomela said could be underlying problems there???

What are the droppings like? what colour consistency etc?

30 Aug 2011, 18:58

I'd also be inclined to put "Spark" or "Poly-aid" electrolyte, vitamin and mineral supplement in the water to give it that 'boost' that most sick birds need. I'd also put a couple of drops of Ivormectin (ivormec)-it's a sheep drench that kills mites/lice and some worms, on the back of the neck. Good luck.

04 Sep 2011, 20:23

She did have ASM but may also ahve had other underlying issues. She is back in the aviary, not fantastic but doing ok. I have been putting an aniseed tonic in there. Also been meaning to add a bit more vitamin to their water. Seem to have a few birds not quite 100%. Maybe just winter taking its toll? Have started changing the seed to the moulting mix for the gouldians, but have run down and need to mix some more.

04 Sep 2011, 20:45

Have read bit about young goulds and they have a reputation of going "light" in the first moult. Just try and keep up the high protein/fatty foods to them. I give every day sprouted seed and seed with cod liver/wheat germ oil at 5mls per 400grm which has been mixed together and left to sit for at least 24hrs to absorb it.
Hope this helps

Matcho