Gouldians with 'sleepy eyes' and puffy chests... (Video)

[SamDavis]

Don't kick yourself finchy. I reckon it's absolutely amazing that blue is still alive. I fully expected him to be dead a day or so after you first posted. So you've done an amazing job which ever way it goes with that blue. And you've certainly learnt alot, as have the rest of us who've been along for the ride!

[gouldianpaul]

Hi Finchy,

From the video it looks like the birds feathers are being blow by some draft...to me the bird is being stressed by it's environment....I would suggest the draft is causing this stress....can you install a clear plastic blind from the side the wind is blowing....these can be put down on cold windy days and at night time...cheers, Paul

[Finchy]

Paul, yes, based on encouragement from others here I did erect a clear plastic windbreak on the Easterly side. The aviary is already quite sheltered by hills, fences and Colorbond, but standing there one day I could feel a slight continual movement of air from the East. I know how vulnerable they are to constant breezes, even very minor ones, so I went off to Clark Rubber who have a great clear plastic sheeting product, and covered the Easterly end.

So now they have 100% coverage from the SW, S, SE and E, with only NE, N, NW and some W exposed. I do think that was a good idea and I'm glad you guys pushed me on it. I also covered an extra 30+cm of roof, which cannot be seen by eye but gives them that bit extra. I may even add to that through the Winter, when the sun shines in low anyway so they won't be shortchanged on Vitamin D by having some extra roof.

Thanks for all the chat and suggestions. It really helps to have a committee sometimes!

[gouldianpaul]

that's great to hear Finchy...but more importantly have you been able to get your Blue Gould to start breeding...he looks like a nice bird...cheers, Paul

[Simba]

What made you try Doxycycline ? Glad it's working.

[Finchy]

- Desperation.
- Guessing.
- The sleepy/stuck eyes being symptomatic of Ornithosis.
- Knowing that the breeder relied on antibiotics to bring his birds around(!).
- Reading about annual use of Doxycycline, as recommended by Rob Marshall. Not a concept I'm keen on, but no harm in trying when I was about to have a dead bird in the next 36 hours otherwise.

[Simba]

Yes I read his article on an annual use of doxycycline, not something I would want to do but I know somebody who gave their cockatiels a 45 day treatment and they had the best breeding season ever.

[natamambo]

Finchy, where'd you get the moxy from? I thought it was only available by prescription (ie from a vet).

[Diane]

My local bird place sells the moxi

[Finchy]

Doxy(cycline), not Moxi(dectin) - huge difference.

I got it from Rob Marshall a few years ago and still had some.