Aussie Finch Forum

12 months ago I was given a canary hen. At the time I noticed she had a few feathers missing around her eyes. This has since progressed until she has no feathers on her head. She didn't moult this year when my others did but has been shredding paper and carrying bits of grass around all winter.
I also treated her for air sac mites when I first got her as she had slightly increased respiration rate and audible clicking and have repeated this twice since. She has no clicking now but still has rapid respirations on exertion. Not sure what else I can do for her.I checked her again today and there's still no clicking.
Any suggestions for both these issues? She is active and eats well.

Is the bald skin smooth or scaly?
LML

Definately smooth finchbreeder.

Do you know how old this canary is Redwing. Craig

No idea, she came from an aviary with other canaries.

Is she wiping her eyes and or beak on the perch a lot? Smooth skin is not Indicative of what I was thinking about so thats a posative.
LML

No finchbreeder she's not doing that.

I have read some articles written by vets on the net which talked about canaries with the same feather loss and the importance of Vit D and A.They included lists of a large number fruits vegies and berries to include in canary diets. I have separated my canary to allow her increased opportunities for direct sunlight as at this time of year their aviary only gets sun in the afternoon.I have also blended up and frozen a batch of food pretty similar to what I give them in breeding time .Have also grated some super fresh cuttlefish in case there's a thyroid issue happening. My other concern is in case she's infectious even though she's been treated with ivermectin. Is it possible she may just have some lung scarring following an infection?

That sounds all good,hope she recovers. Craig

Sounds like you are doing all the right things. Hope she perks up for you.
LML