Hand raising baby finch.

27 Dec 2010, 20:30

Hi I have posted that I have been hand raising a baby finch. It has been about 4 weeks now and it was probably 2 weeks old when I started feeding it. My problem is it has lost all it's feathers now except the feathers on the wings and a little on it's head. No feathers on back or front. Does anyone have any suggestions to why and also when do you think it will start to eat it self. It would be 5 to 6 weeks old now and I am still feeding it 4 times a day but does not take as much as it use to. The crop sometimes blows up with air and looks like two balloons I stop feeding when that happens as they look like they may burst.I am thinking it has some deformities I am feeding it with a hand raising formula not full strength I mix it with egg and biscuit as the formula was to strong made it vomit.It seems happy enough, preens itself and is very friendly but my husband or myself have to be here to feed it all the time. We are now taking it out with us and it's getting a bit hard. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

28 Dec 2010, 07:55

Ive had birds that have had to travel with us because they need feeding and while its a pain it isnt forever ( thank goodness ). It shouldnt be far off feeding itself however whether it knows how to is the thing .
I havent hand reared any finches but with the parrots now is about the age that I squish cooked peas and offer them from my fingers , a millet spray is left in the cage for them to explore and nibble at and soft fruit and veges are offered soon after .
The feather thing is a bit of a worry and again I dont know what that is about .
Do you have any finches that may be able to mentor it kinda , teach it to eat etc ? While you have done a fantastic job on raising it I think it needs to learn to eat so as to avoid these crop issues and it already sounds like it is wanting to wean itself if its taking less food .
Try leaving soft foods and water in the cage for it to nibble at ( if its mobile enough ) of course keeping the weather and food spoilage in mind .
Again good luck .

28 Dec 2010, 08:42

I have not been successful in handfeeding the couple of chicks I had that required help, so well done you for getting this far.

Under normal parent rearing after four weeks it would need to be weaned, but as its been hand raised from my reading that puts them back a bit. I would follow Debs advise as she has had success with her birds. My only other suggestion would be to try some mashed boiled egg, for the protein, it could help in producing new feathers. You may find that any new feathers come in as the adult colours. Also maybe some sprouted seed.

28 Dec 2010, 09:45

Yes defineately I forgot boiled egg and sprouts

I also find that at weaning time when they become somewhat naughty and dont want to sit long enough for a feed that baby food ( steak and veg ) added to the formula will add protien and also extra calories ( again Im going on parrots ).

28 Dec 2010, 16:20

Thanks Diane and Deb, but to-day was okay this morning and to-day would not take any food at all. We had go out to-day for lunch and even when we got the prawns at the fish place I asked them for some warm boiled water and try to feed it again in the car. It was pretty lively at my mum's wanting to be out of the cage all the time and sat on my shoulder. kepted it in a couple of tissues all the way home it slept but when I tried to feed it this arvo it could hardly open it's mouth and looks quite fragile. It has not had hardly anything all day and the crop is empty. Will not pick at any seed, I have read where they can get yeast infections I am not sure what is wrong I do know it does not look well this afternoon. Have put in back in a cage with the two younger finches is in the nest and the others are in with it. I will try and feed it again soon but would not be surprised if it does not make the night.Might prove me wrong but if not will be sad but done my best for the last 5 weeks. Let you know the outcome.Thanks for your suggestions great help to have you guys give information when you just don't know what to do.

28 Dec 2010, 16:31

Yes Candida ( yeast infection ) can be nasty , Nilstat can be bought over the counter but without a proper test by a vet you may be treating the wrong illness , of course if it all looks grim then it wont hurt to try .
For a finch you would only need a drop or 2 half an hour before each feed . The crop is very complex and it doesnt take much to upset things drastically . Anyhoo I hope he makes it for you so fingers crossed.

28 Dec 2010, 16:36

What about a little apple sauce in the feed? Isnt that supposed to help with a yeast infection?

28 Dec 2010, 17:26

its good to get the crop moving if its sluggish but too much will scour the bird ....usual rule is 10% of apple per volume of food . In a healthy clutch I don't measure and I add it to most feeds but with a sick bird any little upset can be the end .

28 Dec 2010, 20:17

We haven't been adding the pureed apple, just giving formula. Is this likely to be a problem? how would you know if they had a yeast infection?

28 Dec 2010, 20:33

No formula has everything baby birds need , dont forget Im used to parrots pulled in good health at 3 weeks of age . A yeast infection in the crop will slow the crop down causing the contents to go sour which can lead to crop stasis ( the crop stops working and food ferments in the crop ).
So the symptoms would be that the crop stays full too long and it may feel spongy .
I use the apple as an aid to help keep the contents moving especially in the Quarrion who are notorious for crop problems , in a tiny finch it wouldnt hurt but too much might cause the birds to poop too much so food doesnt stay in the body long enough to nourish it .
The formula should be 100% complete so nothing is needed except water for mixing , with a sick or young bird Id be inclined to stick to the formula ...