Big Poop

[mickw]

I think this may be a dumb question, I should know but cant recall reading or hearing anything on this topic...........

Some of my birds (mostly hens I think) are delivering quite large droppings (as big or bigger than their eggs).......coincidentally there's a fair bit of egg laying going on and I'm feeding alot of shot seed, greens, and termites......

Probably not all the birds, definitely the Parsons (they're on their own) & mostly the WE Masks in their flight which they share with a pair of Stars.............all seem pretty healthy too BTW.

Does anybody else notice a big increase in the size of stools around egg laying?.......or are they just eating alot?..................worming today, just in case.......a fella probably ought to collect some & whack 'em under a microscope

[jusdeb]

Yep its all because they are sitting on the nest for long periods of time , they hold their poops as long as they can then when they let them go they are huge .
Imagine my surprise when my Quarrion first did this

[wagga]

Mickw,
Yep thats typical of the grass finches. Its a good sign not bad one.

[mickw]

Thanks Deb & Al.....I figured it was more likely good than bad, but you know what happens if you dont ask questions .......... all my birds are first-time nesters, eggs but no squeaks yet, some are starting new nests so I figured it might be a good idea to worm them as they get termites every day & there's a fair bit of dirt mixed in with them.....................I'm glad no-one makes me drink veta-farm wormout gel

[jusdeb]

Just be glad we dont breed black cockatoo s can you imagine the size of their nesting poops Kinda reminds me of the seagull scene in Mel Brooks send up of Birds

[E Orix]

The females metabolism changes dramatically when she starts to breed.Apart from her droppings becoming quite large,she may become aggressive to the male in particular if he takes no part in the rearing process,their diet also changes.There are other points but not so obvious.

Will someone tell me why people want to dose their birds incase of a problem,I just can't understand why.
Also to dose a female or pair while breeding or about to is beyond me, they don't need to have to cope with being handled or being medicated.
Their task is hard enough,unless the bird is ill, leave well alone.All non emergency medicine should be locked away during breeding season.
Give them the assistance via a good balanced diet and more than enough food for them to feed to their chicks.

[finchbreeder]

I understand that some medications will also cause short term sterility. But don't know which ones, so if you are going to do this it might be best to do so before they start to lay or once the chicks are hatched.
LML

[E Orix]

Thanks Finchbreeder
I just hope we can convince a few more.

[jusdeb]

Agreed mine are wormed well before breeding season , am very reluctant to medicate ( poison ) my birds in fact the only thing in my medicine chest for birds is poly aid ...used once.
However gotta admit the first time I saw those big poops I was sure there was something very wrong , oh well this is how we learn.

[mickw]

Well, if I must explain .........I tried worming in July when I released my birds into the new aviary, but it rained and I wasnt convinced they got a dose. I collected a scat sample two days ago, put it under the scope and there were indications of tapeworms.......waited for the rain to clear and noted that my BFPFs had given up on their eggs, hedged my bets and did a quick dose....

Surprise, surprise, this morning, very loud calls from a WE Mask nest.

Sorry for breaking the rules, but when I was a kid I didnt worm.....and did alot of other things wrong .......this time around, I'm trying to get it right, but there will always be conflicting needs and compromises.

I dont need convincing, I'll only be worming after testing & will avoid breeding season unless I see a need to intervene...........

.....Now, can I convince all you birdos that all birds arent going to die out because of my logging operations .....I doubt it