Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Creating a No Fly Zone

Are some of your birds too thin?

Birds that are too thin are high risk to die during the molt. It is important to provide special conditions for thin birds that promote weight gain, just gaining a few grams can restore their health and save their life!

Separate out thin birds from medium or heavy birds and group the thin birds in as few per cage as possible. Then place numerous perches and extra feed dishes and water that are easily accessible to the birds so that birds will hop around rather than fly.

Watch the birds to determine how many perches are necessary. In my breeder cages, four perches place in the lower middle level of the cage keeps them hopping but still avoids letting them hanging on the wires. If they hang on the wires, you will have to raise the perch level.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Linda,

I have a 07 waterslager hen who was a great momma this year and successfully raised 3 chicks plus fostered 1 other chick.
About a week ago I noticed that she was drinking excessive amounts of water, not eating very much, and has very wet waterery poops. I know I have read somewhere either in your book or your blog what causes this but I can't seem to find where I read it. Do you mind telling me what you think this is and how to treat?

Thank you so much for your continued blogging, it is such a help, especially for those of us who are new to the hobby. This was my second year breeding, and it was much more fun and less worry thanks to your blog.

Laura

Anonymous said...

How are your Borders coming along Linda ? would love to see some pics of them

Anonymous said...

How are people reporting their breeding results with Borders since using the border vegies in comparion to their breeding before using it ?

Anonymous said...

Hi Linda
Apart from the obvious singing of young cock birds how else is it possible to sex young canaries acuratley ?

Linda Hogan said...

Diarrhea can be caused by a number of different organisms which may contaminate water or food. Unfortunately, birds with true infections may lose weight quickly and often die.

First, always isolate ill birds from the others and take care of them last to avoid spreading the problem.

Note any smell which can be clue as to the nature of the infection. Make sure that mice are not the source.

Clean water vessels and food dishes with a 10% bleach solution.

Consult your avian vet for diagnosis and treatment which might include Acidifying the water with HCL or citric acid or Organic Apple Cider Vinegar and or treatment with infection appropriate antibiotics .