Newbie needs help

25 Jan 2011, 12:08

Hi all, this is my first post so I will try and be as short as possible.

I live in Leichhardt in Sydney and have two operational avairies containing mixtures of 1 with Gouldians and Stars the other with Painteds and Gouldians. My problem is this, my Painteds (4 hens 2 cocks) are continually building, laying, hatching and then I find the chicks on the ground at various tages of development all dead with empty crops. Then the parents go on their merry way building again. Any suggestions a to why? Yesterday found a chick alive with pin feathers on wings, tail, back so I am attempting to hand rear the poor little thing. I used a mixture that I add to the sprouted seed each morning that a gouldian breeder makes himself and thickened it with water but this morning his crop was all dilated with air, he didn't seem too distressed and took food. I decided to use a commercial hand rearing mixture so I bought some Passwells hand rearing food (the one with the baby parrots on the box) and was assued by the bird man at the produce store that this would be fine. Mixed it up and he accepted it well. Dilation has gone a bit since the morning. Is this mixture OK?

Have the first baby gouldians for the season in one of the boxes so I hope that they don't pick up the habits of the Painteds.

Sorry for being so long winded by can anyone give advice?

25 Jan 2011, 15:09

I cant say Ive had the same problem with my painteds. Nor have I ever hand raised a chick.....yet!
However there is a couple of members who have hand raised chicks and one of those members raised painteds.
Check out topics they might help.
viewtopic.php?f=48&t=4803
viewtopic.php?f=45&t=5142&p=36860#p36860

.....and welcome to the forum

25 Jan 2011, 15:39

Passwells is Ok ..the air could be a ruptured air sac then again it might not be but its worth watching ...just keep the formula runny , feed at 40c and sterilise everything and you should be OK.
Let the crop empty before each feed and post pics coz we lurve pics oh and WELCOME

25 Jan 2011, 19:21

I have just come home after a few cleansing ales and I find my little girl/boy with no air or food in the sac. It was receptive feeding for a short time just enought for me to see the crop with food in it. One point though, the nest was terribly soiled with what looked like discoloured water but some normal droppings. Could be that it has got rid of the air/fluid? Any how will persevere because he or she is one of Gods litle creatures and deserves every chance.
I have a couple of pics but am waiting for the camera to recharge.
regards
Matcho

25 Jan 2011, 20:00

hard to say what it was in the nest but rest assured its better out than in ...

25 Jan 2011, 20:25

Its now 9.20pm and he or she has just accepted food. Crop is not distended,just looks comfortable (to me). Its fairly alert so I think its time for bed. How in the hell can you fall in love with something so tiny and helpless? Hopefully tomorrow will bring further good news.

25 Jan 2011, 20:37

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your finchy parenting.
LML

26 Jan 2011, 07:56

As for your trouble with the Painteds tossing their chicks, my first supposition would be that they may not be getting suitable or sufficient foodstuffs to feed their chicks. Do they get live food? Soft food? Greens?

26 Jan 2011, 08:58

MadHatter wrote:As for your trouble with the Painteds tossing their chicks, my first supposition would be that they may not be getting suitable or sufficient foodstuffs to feed their chicks. Do they get live food? Soft food? Greens?

I would also try even pairs.The spare hens maybe causing the disruption.

26 Jan 2011, 10:16

What can I say, this morning was a total disaster. Chick was a bit listless but accepted food and settled down. Went and had a session on the flyrod and when I returned it had perked up and begging for food. So I placed it on the coffee table and started to prepare its food. I turned my back for 10 seconds and it was gone, my mini foxie had snuck in under my guard and decided it must be a new squeeky toy with flavouring. My heart sunk and the dog received apporpriate punishment. I know, I know, I shouldn't have left it unattended and can't blame the dog. Still can't help feeling sad.

In regards to the advice the avairy receives finch mix with cod liver and wheat germ oil, sprouted/soaked seed with a powder supplement, plenty of greens (dandelion leaves which they love) and meal worms on a daily basis. I think I will go for the pairs only option. Thanks for the suggestions.

On a brighter note I can hear the first baby Gouldians of the season and hope I don't have to go through this episode again.

Once again thanks for the support/advice.