G'day from Melbourne

11 Jul 2009, 14:55

I am new to the world of Finches. In the past my family has had Budgies that lived very long happy lives. Family wasn't to keen on having any more pets. But I decided to give a pair of common Zebra Fiches a go. So I got this pair girl & boy from a local bird specialist.

By reading posts here I see worming & mites mentioned allot. Do I need to do something or would the place I purchased Nunawading Birds & pets had checked for this ?

At first my pair were not to happy about there cage, especially the boy he was agro jumping about. But today they both seem very happy. I put some seed & water in trays on the cage floor. Where they have both gone for a good feed & drink. Then they proceeded to watch the family.

Seeing as I forgot to buy shell grit, today I made a run to the local Kmart & also picked up a mirror toy. Now instead of watching the family they are more interested in there new home.

Cheers Scott

11 Jul 2009, 15:18

Hi Scott and welcome to the forum, you can't take for granted that the pet shops have wormed or sprayed for mites so it wouldn't hurt to do them again and they will need to settle down after there shift

11 Jul 2009, 15:38

For small birds they have settled in fairly fast & seem happy. As they belt out songs randomly. Since putting some toys in there cage they seem more at home.

I have never wormed or sprayed any of my birds in the past. About the only treatment I did have to give was some red solution, cant remember what it was called. You just added a few drops to there water.

So I might hold off till someone posts or I see reason for concern. Not one to kill my birds off for prevention.

I will add the male is smaller than the female & has a few missing feathers on the back of his neck. But I also notice he has new feathers on his head so. I think he is much younger and not got all his feathers yet.

11 Jul 2009, 19:19

I would treat for internal and external parasites.If bought from a shop or not.Especially if a few feathers are missing.Use something like moxidectin plus for both.

11 Jul 2009, 19:57

Hi & welcome to the forum

11 Jul 2009, 20:31

hey Scott

welcome to the forum.

since they came from a petstore chances are higher of them having mites or worms, keep an eye on them just in case.

Do you intend to breed them??

Jarryd

11 Jul 2009, 21:21

I am keeping an eye on them & they do seem very happy eating & singing away. But I know pet stores are the worst places, I always feel sad for all the animals locked up looking for a home. The place I bought them from specializes in birds & had many very expensive varieties. But that still never guarantees the birds are healthy. Not really sure if I will let them breed as there is a good chance they could be related. My last pair of budgies laid an egg once, but there was no nest & they really were just astonished about the fact. Guess in time I will decide, Finches are small & in my eyes more delicate. I am just really enjoying there play & songs. In the next week I will go back to the shop & talk with the owner more & if he thinks I should. I didn't really see any products to treat birds just food, cages & accessories. Or would one have to go to a bird vet for the proper medicine ?

11 Jul 2009, 21:41

Over the years i have bought a few birds from the same shop.the old owners were ok the new ones seem ok over the phone.But shops dont always know the history of birds so worm anyway.If i had to choose one wormer i would get moxidectin plus.Buy online or direct from Wantirna Vet.Dr Colin Walker
http://www.auspigeonco.com.au/

12 Jul 2009, 14:28

I went by the pet store today and picked up a bird care kit from Science Products. It had spay for mites, solution for worms, cage cleaner, vitamins & seed bell. I sprayed for mites, they seemed ok about the idea but did ruffle there feathers more. I will wait a few days to worm as I dont want to put them in shock. Seeing as these are pets living inside I will not treat them over, every few months like folks with a large avery do.

Well since spraying them for mites the boy who had a few missing feathers on the back of his neck seems to be scratching himself allot. So I do tend to think he has a mite issue. The girl did give all her feathers a check over then went back to eating & singing.

Guess you fellas were correct when one gets birds from the shop to mite & worm them.

12 Jul 2009, 20:31

Hi and welcome to the forum Scott