Unable to fly

[iaos]

I have a gouldian hen who has sat on two unsuccessful clutches this season. First clutch was 5 infertile eggs, second clutch was 4 infertile eggs and one dead in shell. There wasn't a huge gap between clutches (maybe 7 to 10 days between me pulling the first lot of eggs and her starting to incubate the next clutch) and I also let her sit on the eggs for an extra 4 or 5 days longer than when they were due. She has been getting a fairly complete diet, dry seed, green seed, sprouted seed, a small amount of birds r us soft food (not sure if she eats any of this) as well as polly's grit mix.

Since pulling the eggs out this time and removing the box to give her a rest, she hasn't been able to get off the bottom of the cabinet. I think maybe she has been sitting too long and her muscles may have wasted??? The most she is able to get in is a wing flap or two and her attempts to fly aren't much more than a glorified hop. Any other ideas what might be wrong or what I can do to help her? She appears to be eating and generally looks bright enough. Its been 3 days since I pulled her box and I don't think she has managed to make it to the perch yet.

Cheers
Ian

[Myzomela]

She could be calcium depleted after laying 9 eggs in a short space of time- even if you have supplied grit. She may benefit from a drop of calcium supplement direct to beak for a few days. Were her eggs good quality or were they thin-shelled or unevenly calcified?

She may also have an underlying illness. Is she thin? feel her wings and legs and make sure there are no fractures.

If there is nothing obvious then try rest and some electrolytes, build her up a bit with lots of supplements and give her a spell.

[iaos]

Thanks Myzo.

The eggs from the second clutch were possibly thin shelled, but I can't be certain of that.

I just caught her up then, she does seem thin. Still a little bit of meat there, but not enough. Her wings seemed fine.

I'll get some 'breeding aid" into her tomorrow, she already has some electrolytes in with her now.

Cheers

[E Orix]

How old is the bird?

[iaos]

Age unknown. I bought her as a coloured bird from a dealer. This will be her third season with me. Her fertility has decreased in the 3 seasons I have had her. 1st season 7 fertile from 9 eggs, 2nd season 5 fertile from ~13 - 15 eggs, 3rd season 1 fertile from 10 eggs.

I know she is probably over the hill, but she has always been a good hen, so I thought I might be able to get one last season out of her.

[Craig52]

ioas, I think she may have reached her useby date and also depleted her calcium.She's ready for the geriatric cage. Craig

[jusdeb]

Had a RRump do the same thing after her first clutch last year .
Added calcium to the water and then offered a couple of different types of calcium to graze on ans she is doing great , 3 clutches this year and she wants to keep going , no calcium D/3 issues whatsoever .

Wish we could get a health cert when we buy birds , apparantly not every one thinks to supplement the seed diets .

[matcho]

Don't know if this may help, but has she had "greens" as in dandelion, milkthistle etc. From what you say in the diet does not appear to be so, give it a try, maybe it might help. Can guarantee if she wants it when you put in in she will eat it. Hope this helps. Good luck

Matcho.

[iaos]

Wish we could get a health cert when we buy birds

Not sure the certificate would cover 3 years.

"greens" as in dandelion, milkthistle etc.

I generally try not to offer anything that I can't offer on a regular basis, i'll have a scratch around and see what I can dig up.

She's ready for the geriatric cage

I think she has done pretty well for a bird bought from a dealer

[jusdeb]

OOOPs sorry was meaning health cert for my bird ... 3 years is a big chunk out of a little finches life .