GAGE BIRDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23381, 24 June 1939, Page 7 (Supplement)

GAGE BIRDS

BY TAILFEATHERS

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS "Bird Lover," Walton.—Canary: Try washing tho inflamed oi*e with a strong solution of Epsom salts twice (i day for at least a week. If this is unsuccessful and particularly if you notice the whole of the eyelid inflamed, get a 5 per cent mercurochrome solution from'the chemist and put two drops of the brown fluid on to tho eye once a day. Tho first treatment, however will probably be successful J.M., Onehunga.—Canary: If the cock bird is peeking at the wings of the hen canary, maybe tho present mild winter Weather is causing him to think of nesting. . ih which case separate the hen and the cock j and see it the feathers of tho hen grow. If ; they do not. the trouble is likely to be grey \ lice irritating tho bird, and the hen herself pecking her feathers in an endeavour to get rid of them. If this is so, regular dusting with a good insect powder well rubbed into the skin should free the bird. Do it two days in succession and then again twico after a week's interval. By then the remaining eggs should have hatched. ■ "Dandy." Takapunai—Budgerigar: The question would not bo so nuieh whether or not tho birds had come from the same ayiar.v. but whether or not your pair are related. If there is any degree of blood relationship, you are definitely advised not to breed from them, for disappointments arc almost certain to resißt. Tho restlessness of your birds at night might be accounted for by mice having access to tho cage. If they, will not use ordinary horizontal perches, try cutting some twigs with forked branches and Cx in a corner of the cage. They will certainly prefer theso natural perches to tho wire. Australian Hungarian millet, is a very light brown, fine, soft millet grown in Australia, whero it Is often called "Pan&icnm" seed. Hungarian millet is another name for "Awa" millet or "brown" millet, which is considerably darker than the Australian Hungarian variety, much harder and is grown in Manchuria. White millet comes from • several countries and is tho product of a different plant altogether, and that is why it is so valuable in a mixture, as its seed content is different, and, by using it, you are giving your birds a variety of food elements. White millet is grown in Manchuria, Italy, Franco. Turkey and 'a few othor countries as a "catch" crop. Birds that are at all low in condition should have extra quantities of white millet, as it contains more oil than brown millet. HJ„ Chrlstehnrch. —Lorikeet: The main point is to avoid giving them a food that is too rich. Sunbird mixture. mado from one teaspoon of Mellin's food, tho same of condensed sweetened milk and two teaspoons of honey mixed in a little cold Water and then made up to a teacup with warm water, would be quite suitable. Occasionally, try giving your birds a little bread and butter nn which has been spread a little yeast. Steamed rice, with some of the nectar poured over it, would bo, acceptable, and, of course, all of the birds would relish any form of sweet, soft fruit. Be on your guard against giving partly-ripe oranges. Grapes, pears and soaked rpisins are recommended. If over the birds liavo fits, immediately weaken the food bv doubling the quantity of water. To bring a lorikeet out of a fit. sprinkle it with cold water. If it does not revive almost at once, pull a couple of tailfeathers out. A weak mixture of honey and water is sometimes given for a cOuple of days in succession now and then. Opaline Budgerigars.—lt is news to me that this colour variety has; appeared in New Zealand. Tt originated with Mr. Terrlll. of Adelaide, who is the recognised authority on these birds. It is a difinitc • factor and should ho intensified by line breeding, but you are recommended to write to the secretary of the Australian Budgerigar Society for' fuller particulars. E.M., Tauranga.—Budgerigar: I am afraid that you will have to pluck up courage and

c ."t the bird's toenails. Cut them back onesixteenth of an inch. This would not como anywhere near the vein and would prevent tho bird from hurting himself with the sharp pointed claws. These are definitely a danger when the points become long, thin and exceedingly sharp. Birds that are outdoors wearing the claws off on rough branches or on the ground, do not run the risk that pet birds do of damage from their own claws. E.C.M., Hamilton.—Post Mortem: Glad that tho result settled a doubtful point. "Pope.ve," Heiensville.—Budgerigar: This littlo budgerigar will be greatly missed, as lie has featured in this column occasionally from its commencement. I can understand your sense of loss at losing him. for all birdlovers do make a personal pet of an occasional bird. Recently I lost one nine years old, almost all of which time had been spont in my aviary. His passing was a personal loss and no bird, however attractive, can take the placo of one to whom you have grown attached during the years. It appears that you lost your bird through a burst blood vessel in tho head, and I am doubtful if anything could have Baved him. B.McK., Epsom. —Budgerigar: Paint with iodine the tailfeathers which tho bird bites. If tho beak is slightly overgrown, cut it back until the horny material becomes tender. Tie tho cuttlefish in the cage just above the perch, as some birds will eat plenty in this position but refuse it on tho floor. Givo a few round pebbles as playthings and. if possible, add a piece of sandstone or old mortar as additional grit. I E.L., Pukokoho. —Budgerigar: Certainly, tho training of the tame bird is interesting and advlco on how to do it seems to be always wanted. Your idea of loaning birds is excellent and it is a pity that more fanciers do not do this with their surplus stock birds. A hawk attacking a canary on the back verandah at 4.30 p.m. in tho afternoon is most unusual, particularly . when the hawk also attacked the person protecting the canary. Heart failure would probably be the cause of tho death of the canary attacked or olsc, possibly, a hemorrhage of the brain. Your cock canary that is more or less stuck in tho moult hus a complaint not at all unusual this year. Soluble sulphur from a chemist dissolved in the drinking water is used by some to loosen the feathers. Saffron in drinking water is used by others. Somo pin their faith to plenty of baths, while increasing tho oil content of the bird's diet is also recommended. Wrte to Mr. O. Baird, 180 Ruahino Street, Palmcrston North, re goldfinch which has been moulted in captivity. Try exhibitors of goldfinches at the current shows for a cock goldfinch suitable for muling. Be sure the bird has whitish or slightly grey legs, proving a moult in captivity. A.H.W., Putaruru. —Budgerigar Losses: A box in the aviary and tea tree stumps would have nothing to do with your losses. Tt is recommended that you change your, seed for a period just, to prove your present mixture is satisfactory. TTse instead a plain millet, part of hulled oats and a little plain canary. Tho beach sand may have been the cause of death as, whilo Rea shell sand direct from a clean beach is the best grit you can use, possible contamination is likely. Animal and vegetable matter mixed with the sand may have caused the trouble. Sea shell sand from a perfectly clean ocean beach should not be washed, as by so doing the valuable mineral contents aro lost. It is recommended that you put some protection on the western end of your aviary, as the bleak weather usually comes from the south and west. The north-easterly wind, while strong and wet, is usually of mild temperature, Underneath the roof, whero the wire-netting roof of tho aviary commences, it is recommended that you hoard down for at least a couple of feet so that the birds can have shelter, the wind being di,verted on to the aviary from the north-west. A few perches behind this drop hoard would bo cosy quarters in all weathers.