SamH Posted November 8, 2009 Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 My aviary is being moved but I have to keep the two Zebra finches for a while, until it's setup again. Thankfully last inorganic day our neighbours threw out their old mouse cage. Went on up to grab them and noticed that one of their eggs (thought to be infertile) had hatched or a baby bird had just appeared out of no where. Anyways... I am going to remove the old eggs but the parents aren't looking after their single young. It has it's first feathers but they're looking a bit manky at the moment. They're not even going into the nesting box where the young bird is. I will get some pics later. What can I feed it/what should I do?! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted November 8, 2009 Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 Its been a while since i had birds but if the young bird has its first feathers its parents have been feeding it becuase it would have died by now. I would put it in its nesting box into the cage with the adults. You will probably find that they are tending to it. You could try feeding it as well as the parents but its hard going! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 The nest box is in the cage with the parents but they're just sitting outside it Might make a little mush mix for it and see if it eas that, no harm in trying right? Recipes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 Okay, we've taken him out of the cage and he turns out to be quite the character. He likes to snuggle into our hands and eats readily. I tapped/squeezed the sides of his beak and he open his mouth. With a syringe, we put a weetbix and milk warm mix paste down his throat. He chirped for more and more but eventually he stopped so we put him back in his new box. His new box has dacron in it and is covered by a fine curtain mesh because apparently, he can fly What do I do from here? Mum reckons we should try putting him back with the parents. I think that's a bad idea, if he's eating from us then why change it? The parents are barely eating themselves! Any help? Please? :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted November 8, 2009 Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 I would still put him back with the parents. I used to get a dry mix from the pet shop for feeding baby finches, you dampen it and feed it to them. It replicates the natural food it would get normally. The parents may still try to feed it as well which will be better for it. If he can fly he should just about be able to feed for himself as well and maybe the parents are getting ready to lay again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 Really? The parents would take him back? How shall I do it? Just put him with the box n their cage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 8, 2009 Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 If you don't put him with his parents he probably end will end up being a super tame finch BUT if you don't put him back you'll have to feed him every 1 1/2 - 2 hours which unless your home all day you can't do and he'll probably end up dying. I'd say put him back wth his parents unless you can hand feed him. Also I thought bird couldn't have milk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 He seems to be fine with milk? :-? I'll try putting him back, but if they parents reject him, I'll be taking him to school Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted November 8, 2009 Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 birds don't milk cows therefore can have an intolerance to lactose parents won't sit on it once it has pin feathers weetbix is probably not the best as well finches are seed eaters, therefore original farex mixed with cold water till runny would be good google hand rearing zebra finch should bring up some recipes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 Thanks Mark! Put him in his open box back in their cage, he's cheeping heaps and they're jumping around trying to find food. Thanks all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted November 8, 2009 Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 cows milk is pretty hard to digest for most animals, goats milk is better but not for birds HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
repto Posted November 8, 2009 Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 this sort of post gives me the grots!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 this sort of post gives me the grots!! :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted November 8, 2009 Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 yes. no milk for birds. insects will also give him a temp boost if he needs it. (you don't have to chew them like I did). honey too. but if its strong you may not need it. just keep em warm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted November 8, 2009 Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 think repto is refering to the fact a lot of people when rescuing birds give them milk and or weetbix they think of "baby" and of course human food is usually tthe first thing they think of the first thing i think of is what the parents would have been feeding it then feed appropriately as phoenix said chewing up worms for a thrush is a bit hard on the taste buds a zebie being primarily a seed eater will need some sort of grain, the health food shop is a good source of crushed grain, then mixed with water, allow to sit for awhile to let the grain swell food must be warm to go through the crop properly milk or sugars can lead to candida infections which can seriously hinder the crops activity google can be your friend in rescue cases Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nymox Posted November 8, 2009 Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 +1 LA as usual! Crushed millet sprays and baby formular!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 Looks like I did it completely wrong, but only recieved help when that was realised :oops: He is in a box with some dacron inside the cage with ther parents. They are feeding themselves and appear to be hopping back up to the "nest" and feeding him. They are all alive this morning and the cage is in the office/fishroom which stays far warmer than anywhere else. He is making his little sounds. Is that okay? :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted November 8, 2009 Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 yes that is OK don't be hard on yourself sam, a common thing done by people my fault for not noticing your request sooner :oops: now you have more knowledge for next time or you can pass that knowledge on when i was a youngster i thought i would give dad a hand to feed his fish so tipped a cup of milk in there :oops: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted November 8, 2009 Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 when i was a youngster i thought i would give dad a hand to feed his fish so tipped a cup of milk in there :oops: baahaha. when I was a kid I decided the thirsty palm tree needed to drink the entire bottle of johnny walker blue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted November 8, 2009 Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 so it ended up a wobbly palm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 at least you asked for assistance! I'm sure anything would be better than nothing and who's to say that in the wild the birds don't pick up bits of bread with milk products on them for giving to their young! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 I'm just glad he's doing okay now Jumped out of his nest when I went to change the water, put him back in but he's keen to stay out :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 He's gone downhill. Found him lying on the bottom of the cage and now he tries to fly but his legs go stiff behind him. He's eating some crushed up seed with warm water fed through a syringe. What's happened? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted November 14, 2009 Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 I really cannot say for sure what the problem is without examining him (disclaimer) but if he went without good nutrition for a while he could have developed metabolic bone disease and/or have multiple fractures. IF he has this, he might also have muscle weakness and tremors. If he is eating then he has a good chance of recovering, at least obtaining partial functioning. Make sure he is warm (to reduce energy expenditure from trying to stay warm during healing). Feed good fresh finch seed and if he is keen you can offer crushed boiled egg (including the finely ground up shell). It would be ideal to add in fresh vegetables at some point (all caged finches need this) - you can mash up some thawed watties mixed vegetables - that works just as well in a pinch. Ultimately, it would be good to convert him to Harrison's bird pellets (finch size) - that should comprise the majority of his diet with seed and vegies to supplement. Anyway, really not sure what the problem is but regardless he will need to eat very frequently and will need a continual supply of fresh water. Good luck! I have handfed lots of finches with handrearing formulas - they are funny when they grow up tame! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 jenniferh! He's not in a good way, is not taking any more food (perhaps not hungry?) and is having seemingly random leg and wing spasms of sorts :-? I've put him in a little box lined with tissues (he was nose diving in the nesting material), let's hope he makes the night. The cage is in the office/fishroom so is quite warm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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