Help for English Zebra with acute calcium deficiency

[Birdtawk]

Hello,

I have a 4 year old male english zebra finch and every since I got him his legs have been a bit splayed. I assumed this was an uncorrected birth defect, but its gotten worse and worse until his legs are totally spraddled. As well he has a sort of palsy/head tremor. He cannot hop or fly so I set him up with a handicapped cage with towels on the floor and a nest-like bed so he can be comfortable. He can sort of thrash himself over to the food bowl and does eat a small amount of seeds but he wasn't getting enough nutrition so I have been hand feeding him kaytee exact baby formula (letting him nibble it off my fingers) and holding him over the water so he can drink. I think this may be a calcium deficiency and not a deformity like I thought.

I have put vitamins in his water (Oasis vita drops) and just started giving him as of yesterday, a single drop of Calcivet which is the dosage for his size. He has been improving and seems stronger, and is eating more seed s now (if I hold him over the bowl) but I want to know for how long should I give him the Calcivet and what frequency. I've read he shouldn't have it daily. And also, any other advice for his wellness. I have other finches who are perfectly fine, though he did have a sister with the same problem who passed away.
Thank you.

 

[Finchbreed]

If he and his sister both had the same problem - it is likely either a feeding deficiency in the nestling stage - or genetic.
Best way to feed calcium is always to provide boiled eggshell crumbled and a dusting of calcium powder on his favourite food.
Then he is in charge of how much he eats and less likely to overdose.
In nature (and my avairies) Zebras eat green seeding grasses - grow some birdseed and feed to him - in the meantime cucumber and brocolli "seeds" the top part - are good.
Is he exposed to sunlight - vitamin D deficiencies are a problem with some indoor finches.

 

[Birdtawk]

They don't get a lot of sunlight but I just bought special bird lamps for them! Featherbrite full spectrum bulbs

 

[fashionfobie]

Are your other finches also English zebras? I only ask because the English variety of zebra finch can have some health issues less common in zebra finches closer to their wild kin from Australia, in part because they have been selectively bred to be rather large. I raise this because it is possible it isn't anything you are doing wrong. He may have unlucky genetics.

Does he have access to any platform perches and softer spots so he can possibly find alternative ways to rest?

 

[Finchbreed]

Being Aust or English or American has absolutely no effect on the likelyhood of genetic problems.
We all select breed - it is that we are smart enough to stop if a problem is noted, and change direction, or quit completely with that line.
Only greedy people and fools keep going on the same path when faults show up.

 

[fashionfobie]

Being Aust or English or American has absolutely no effect on the likelyhood of genetic problems.
We all select breed - it is that we are smart enough to stop if a problem is noted, and change direction, or quit completely with that line.
Only greedy people and fools keep going on the same path when faults show up.

How can you know from the message of the original post that the birds didn't have a sorted past, were irresponsibly bred, or aren't from a greedy person somewhere on their history?

The point of my response is that genetic issue can happen. Birds bred to be extra large are not the same as their wild forbears. The O.poster sounds like they are trying to do everything right to care for their birds, sometimes the genetic lottery isn't in favour.

There is nothing wrong we suggesting that supportive care is provided to a bird who may not be perching comfortably.

 

[Finchbreed]

And if you read my post that was before yours - you will see that I also explained about the risk of genetics being the problem.
Without pointing the finger at any type of bird - because as a 40+ yrs breeder of Zebra finches of many types and genetic mixs here in Australia - I was aware that the type is not what causes genetic problems.
I breed both wild and show type birds, so have a lot of experience with these aspects of keeping and breeding, and know what really causes the problems, and pointed that out.