Aussie Finch Forum

I have had my 1st batch of yellow back gouldians fledge. Nest of 6 young.
The parent cock bird went all fluffed up the week before nestlings fledged and stopped feeding the young for a few days, leaving the hard work to the hen. ( this was during a wet spell of rain whilst treating for cocidiosis ( cocivet) . Just prior to fledging something pecked most of their heads of the young. Only the oldest nestling left safely.The last 3 spent a week on the floor of the aviary before gaining flight. The last one a further few days than the rest. They are now in a holding cage on their own. All had learnt to fly properly.They have had treatment of virkon s. Coccidiosis and worm enda plus. The four oldest ones semm to have come good but the other 2 still look thin, have their heads back, drooped wings and not much movement.

Any suggestions

I would start with warmth....If its wet and you have drafts Goulds will succumb...they do not have down feathers like other birds...so stop the drafts and dryness are good starters...

Im not up on all this but .....wow thats a lot of medicating for a new bird .
How did you treat them with Virkon s?

I would think their little bodies were in shock with the meds on top of the original symptoms .... dont get me wrong its a damned if you do damned if dont medicate type of thing with birds .

Really hope they come good for you , didnt see where your from but if its NSW the cooler weather may have them in a spin too .

Good luck and hope someone can be more constructive than me in helping you ...

Yep keep them warm ...

Just 2 questions

1. What and how did you use the Virkon S.? Its a disinfectant not meant for internal as far as I am aware.
2. How long have they been fledged? If its 1-2 weeks and the parents are not feeding I suggest you try and supplement with a bit of handraising and warmth. They are nearly there.

Good luck

Hi, thanks. I live in Cairns. Its been miserably wet and humid. You can watch mould growing on the boxes at the moment.
I used Virkon s at a tea spoon to a 1 ,1/2 litre, less than what i had been recomended. The young are inside now in a small holding cage. I had decided to worm the entire collection as i had had them over 3 months and had not done a thing, then the wet came.
The parents refused to eat anything but seed and cuttle fish, green seed heads and endive lettuce. greens were always left as was cake. the young are taking the cake. small improvements and head feathers are returning, with colour.
cheers