Nymph Diseases are not usually easy to identify. Although there are numerous pathologies that could affect these birds, few of them manifest frequently. Even so, by inspecting our bird on a regular basis and taking it periodically to the vet, there is a good chance that we will further reduce the appearance of any disease. To learn more about this interesting topic, we invite you to continue with this reading.
Diseases of the Nymphs
The nymph is not a bird with a great predisposition to suffer from diseases, but it is always a good idea to have a trusted veterinarian who evaluates it on a regular basis, with which we will avoid frights. Keep in mind that a nymph, like any other bird, tries to mask that it is not feeling well, since predators tend to attack the most fragile birds, so it is important to follow its behavior to warn if it is sick before that it can get worse.
If we perceive a different behavior, that it sleeps more than usual, that fluffs its wings and hides its head (not to be confused when it is asleep), it feeds less and seeks a corner on the floor of the cage instead of climbing on the sticks, etc., then we must conclude that she may be sick since all of them are alarm signals. Nymphs require regular bathing, so if ours doesn't love doing it, a convenient solution is to spray her once a week with a spray bottle that simulates rain.
The Nymph Caroline
The nymph cockatoo (Nymphicus hollandicus) is an endemic bird from Australia, which is also known by the names of carolina or cocotilla. It is a medium-sized bird, 30 to 33 centimeters and weighing 85 to 115 grams, which is particularly valued for its beauty and unique temperament. His body exhibits mostly gray coloration and on his whitish head his cheeks are orange. They can modulate whistled melodies and articulate certain words. It is a species of nomadic habits that moves according to the availability of water and food.
Care
It is very likely that at a certain stage of her life, your nymph will require professional assistance, when little is what your inexperience can achieve. In such cases you should not hesitate and go immediately to the veterinarian. You have to carry your sick nymph in a small box, well padded, isolated and ventilated; or in a transport aviary specifically designed for this purpose and covered with an insulating fabric.
As part of the veterinary treatment, a slightly higher temperature in the aviary or in the cage, the use of infrared light, etc., could be included, according to the pathology or disorder that has been recognized. If you have numerous birds, it is advisable to isolate the sick bird in a hospital or quarantine cage, to prevent the disease from spreading as well as so that the affected bird can rest. If the bird is too sick, it is convenient to put more sand than usual on the floor of the cage, so the sick bird can lie on it, also place a perch as low as possible.
Types of Nymph Diseases
There are various pathologies that could affect nymphs, but fortunately only some of them are frequent. Obviously, in a limited article like this it is not possible to list all the diseases of birds, and it is also impossible to cite the therapies for each one of them. However, as understanding disease symptoms is a significant concern for every bird owner, here is a list of the most common and/or serious ones:
Mites
The mites present on your feathers can be divided into innocuous mites, which reside on your skin as well as on your feathers, and very tiny mites, which can burrow into the barrel and follicle. The first mentioned, Syringophilus bipectioratus, are usually found in wild birds, nymphs, canaries, and pigeons. They usually feed on debris from feathers and skin and can cause irritation that leads to the bad habit of removing feathers. The second, Dermoglyphus elongatus, nest in the structure of the feathers.
There is only one known safe treatment against feather mites. And it is by keeping your aviary or cage as neat as possible. Likewise, allow the birds to bathe as often as they wish, and try to keep wild birds away using all the means at your disposal. Such initiatives will greatly contribute to controlling the red bird mite Dermanyssus gallinae. This parasite resides abroad, and usually takes refuge during the day in fissures and crevices of perches and the nest-box, emerging at night to trouble birds by feeding on their blood.
A mite does not require much blood, but in large numbers these pests can cause untold damage, consuming birds and spreading disease. At nesting time, nymphs may find themselves continually and cruelly tormented by these blood-sucking parasites. It is of the utmost importance, therefore, that on each cleaning day their cages, aviaries, accessories, etc., are thoroughly examined to recognize the presence of mites. A magnifying glass would be a great help.
Aspergillosis or Incubator Pneumonia
The presence of this pathology is due to the inhalation of fungal spores, especially those of the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Some plants, such as those of the Genus Asperula type, can contribute to the generation of said infection. Likewise, moldy bread, seeds, waste, hay, straw and other similar things can cause aspergillosis.
These spores often produce poisonous toxins that affect certain lung tissues, nasal passages, head cavities, air sacs, etc., causing a collection of pus with the appearance of yellow cheese that naturally impairs deep breathing. and serene. The bird becomes uninterested in food, with the unfortunate result that it grows weaker and weaker.
Some birds even go so far as to shake their heads and stretch their necks repeatedly as if trying to overcome the obstruction. No satisfactory remedy has yet been found to remedy this complication, so it is best to go to a professional bird expert. From the genetic point of view, the specimens show a relative resistance to this pathology.
Vertical infection of the spores (by means of the egg) is probable, and the death of the embryo may occur or the offspring may be born infected. This disease can also be spread through incubator machines, hence it is also called "incubator pneumonia". In the contagion of this pathology, the environment is more relevant than the transmission of a sick specimen. Infection from a sick specimen to a healthy one is quite difficult, since there must be intimate contact between the two.
Goiter
Goiter, which is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland, used to be a very common disease among captive nymphs, lovebirds and parakeets. Fortunately, this condition is less common as the cage litter sold today is treated with iodine. However, the problem can occur even in areas where drinking water is deficient in iodine.
Goiter is characterized by an external swelling of the bird's neck. This bulge, which often presses against the crop and trachea, is internal, and any action, flying or running, causes the bird to run out of breath very quickly. It is usual for the bird to breathe with difficulty, spread its wings a lot and hang its crop and neck. It may also make a high-pitched screeching or whistling sound when breathing. To help itself breathe more easily, the bird will often rest its beak against the bars of the cage or on a nearby perch or tree branch.
Your condition will deteriorate if immediate action is not taken. The bird may begin to circle, an obvious sign of brain infection. Then his sudden death could occur due to suffocation, heart defect or decay due to poor food intake. In case of a severe thyroid disorder, give the bird glycerin iodine or as an option a mixture of nine parts paraffin oil to one part glycerin iodine, delivered intermittently from a plastic dropper directly into the beak for three days, it regularly works wonders.
sour crop
Sour crop is usually the result of a clogging of the crop outlet by something the bird has ingested (a tiny feather, for example). The contents of the crop begin to ferment, releasing carbon dioxide, and as a consequence, the crop is filled with gases. The nymph expels a foamy liquid, its head and beak are shown to be smeared with mucus.
The nymph must be placed head down and its crop must be gently massaged to expel the gas and part of the retained fluid (which is basically water). Try to keep the bird warm and provide water with some potassium permanganate.
coccidiosis
Coccidia are protozoa of microscopic size, parasites that manifest very rarely in nymphs. Of great presence in the droppings, they are ingested by birds and tend to develop in the intestines. Regularly, they do not imply any risk for the nymphs. Birds can be infected for a long time before anyone identifies it.
However ask the vet if you notice a progressive decrease in appetite, usually in parallel to weight loss and loose bloody stools. These signs could be indicative of a case of coccidiosis. If confirmed, sulfonamides could be very useful. Prevention will depend on proper hygiene and sanitation.
Diarrhea
There can be several reasons for the stomach disorders of the nymphs. One of which is inappropriate food, poorly chosen or in poor condition due to deterioration, or even poisonous. Other probable causes of diarrhea are fatness, respiratory or stomach infections, excessive heat or a surplus of protein in the diet. Additionally, numerous bacterial or viral infections cause stomach upset along with other signs.
Visible signs of impaired intestinal functions are sloppiness, a stooped position, and diarrhea. In severe cases, the bird leaves perches to rest on the ground, often prostrate in a corner with its head under its wing. The bird may drink some water but will show little appetite. The stool will be liquid. You can provide the sick with chamomile tea, boiled rice, oatmeal flakes and sprigs of millet. You can also supply him with rice water for the usual drinking water.
Poorly ventilated shelters in warm weather can still cause stomach upset, as can cold and drafts. Extreme weather, particularly sudden changes, are challenging for the health of your birds. Cold water is a particular drawback in outside aviaries, especially in harsh climates where water dispensers could freeze and birds would have to go without water for several hours.
On the one hand, diarrhea can be a sign of a huge variety of pathologies typical of birds; on the other, you should not assume that there are serious disease problems if the only symptom you identify is diarrhea. If there are no other signs of a particular serious illness, it may just be a case of routine indigestion. A liquid stool is not always a sign of diarrhea. The nymphs could be responding to the fear of being caught by hand or even of having consumed too much liquid.
Eye Diseases
Nymphs are predisposed to various kinds of eye infections. Some are the product of the complication of a cold and are caused by some bacteria or virus. Other probable causes of infections are insufficient vitamin A or the use of aerosol sprays or dusty seeds that tend to irritate the eye. The bird regularly closes the affected eyes, which are watery and show swollen edges (blepharitis).
Bacterial infections are often caused by dirt on hangers. The bird can easily pick up an infection by running its beak over a dirty perch. Another element in the spread of eye infections is the movement of large flocks of birds in tiny, crowded boxes. This class of infections shows as a result a marked swelling of the edges of usually only one eye.
Move the bird to a warm environment, preferably a hospital cage. Clean your eyes with boric acid diluted to 5% or apply an ophthalmic antibiotic ointment two or three times a day. A few days of treatment regularly suffice to ensure a speedy recovery.
Knemidókoptes mites (causing facial scales) could also indirectly irritate the eyelids and eyes by appearing the typical scabs in the eye area. Apply a penicillin ophthalmic ointment to the eye crusts and rims. A vitamin A deficiency can cause small, wart-like lumps to appear on the eyelids. Improving the diet is quite helpful, but the sick bird should always be isolated, since these warts can be a sign of psittacine fowl pox, a contagious pathology that requires veterinary treatment.
Severe cases of eye infection can lead to complete blindness in one or both eyes. This is regularly preceded by a constant whining after which the affected eye pupil turns milky white. Birds that are partially or completely blind can be kept alive in a small cage. Initially, food and water are placed on the floor of the cage, preferably in a shallow ceramic dish. Although it takes some time, over time the blind bird gets used to it.
facial scales
Facial scales are usually caused by mites (Knemodoktes pilae), which usually attack the area of skin around the eyes and beak, and also, in severe cases, the legs and toes. These tiny arachnoid parasites usually nest in the outer layers of the skin, in which they lay their eggs. If left untreated, the irritations, scaling and excrescences produced will gradually increase and can lead to severe beak malformations. The infection will spread from bird to bird if no preventative action is taken.
Benzylbenzoate, petroleum jelly, or glycerin may be applied to the scabs, which are scales that resemble honeycomb cells. Mineral oil is another alternative, but care must be taken to apply only to the infected area; do not get any oil on the plumage. In severe cases, consult an avian veterinarian.
Pick up any scaly crust that falls off as quickly as possible and burn it off. Then prevent further spread by cleaning the cage, perches, sleeping boxes and nest boxes. Facial scales do not constitute a dangerous pathology, but rather a cumbersome discomfort that needs enormous care to ensure that it is completely eradicated. Fortunately, and apparently, nymphs tend to be infected with facial scales less frequently than parakeets, in which this disease is extremely common.
Infections Produced by Eschericia Coli
Infections caused by Escherichia coli, a gram-negative bacterium, commonly known as E. coli, can cause serious difficulties for the nymphs. The most important victim of E. coli is the human being, but birds are not invulnerable to it. Don't believe me when I point out that E. coli are regular residents of the bird's stomach. They are not. And if they spread to the lungs, liver and heart, they can cause rapid death.
The best prevention is to be aware of hygiene. Hands should be washed before transporting birds, preparing food, supervising nests, or doing other activities with them. Contamination by faeces must be prevented and avoid spoiled food, dirty water, dirt on perches, nest boxes and on the floors of cages and aviaries, as well as any other source of contamination. The treatment consists of 3 or 4 drops of Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol every 4 hours, supplied with a plastic dropper. This will soothe and protect the inflamed digestive tract.
Uropigio infections
Occasionally, the uropygium (sebaceous gland located dorsally on the last caudal vertebrae) becomes infected and an abscess can form if the orifice is blocked. In such situations, a conspicuous bulge appears on the tail and the bird suffers noticeably. When a bird suffers, it pecks and scratches at the affected site, even extracting the feathers near the gland. After some time, the abscess may rupture, staining perches and other places where the bird lives with blood. The sensible bird owner should not allow this to happen.
Chronic infection is often caused by excessive production of secretions, so symptoms can be relieved to some degree by carefully squeezing the gland at certain intervals. If this is not enough, a bird veterinarian is required, who will proceed to extract said surplus. With similar symptoms, a tumor can also manifest in the uropygium. These cysts are usually benign, but they require surgery, making sure that excessive blood loss does not occur.
Earthworms
Worm infections in nymphs living in outside aviaries are difficult to prevent. The worms are usually introduced by free-roaming birds that stand on the aviary and let their feces precipitate inside. Stomach worms (Ascaris) begin as long, white larvae that develop to maturity in the intestines of nymphs that have swallowed them. The adult worms, at the same time, release eggs that are expelled from the bird's body through its feces.
Infected birds begin to lose weight, develop sparse plumage, and may experience diarrhea or constipation. To corroborate the parasitic infection, a sample of the stool should be taken to the veterinarian, who will probably prescribe piperazine or levamisole. The best prevention is to keep the nymphs in proper hygiene and health conditions. If the aviary floor is made of concrete, a periodic dose of pressure washing will remove any infected droppings.
Nematodes (Capillaria) begin as round thread-like parasites that reach their adult life in the crop or stomach of the nymph. Adult worms release eggs that emerge from the bird's body in their feces. Signs of its infestation are diarrhea and weight loss. Again, after veterinary examination, possibly piperazine or levamisole will be prescribed, and prevention will also depend on proper hygiene and health.
Sting
The act of plucking the feathers usually occurs frequently towards the end of an ordinary or abnormal molt. It is easy to understand that these dermatological processes cause itching, which makes the birds scratch and then begin to pluck (or shed feathers). After that, a bird can continue plucking its feathers, simply to calm boredom. It is true that this last statement does not have a solid scientific basis, but so far there seems to be no other explanation for such behavior.
It is a fact that nymphs that do not find something to occupy themselves with sometimes end up plucking their feathers on a regular basis, and in a few weeks they can pluck almost completely. Most curved-billed birds tend to develop this bad habit, but particularly nymphs and cockatoos. The habit of shedding regularly starts with the bird shedding some old feathers that need to be removed (or so the bird thinks).
Later on, they tend to turn their attention to new feathers, perhaps those found undeveloped. This causes stinging and probably pleasant or stimulating sensations, and then it begins and does not end! Numerous feathers are usually "bitten" at the base, leaving only the calamus. The best way to stop birds from pulling out their feathers is to provide them with something to occupy them. Proceed to hang several thick ends of twine in the aviary or cage; or give them twigs of fruit trees, willow and privet. They will happily occupy themselves by playing and snacking on these "treats."
Improve their diet, particularly providing them with extra minerals, proteins, vitamins and amino acids. Willow twigs consist of lignin, an amino acid that is effective in healing. Shedding feathers can lead to cannibalism. It is therefore important to remove all damaged feathers from the bird; in six to eight weeks new feathers will replace them. If damaged feathers are left behind, the bird will nibble on them until at some point the skin is damaged, causing a series of hemorrhages and clearing the way for the likelihood of further infection.
Egg Pecking
Occasionally the nymphs tend to peck the eggs that rest in the nest. Arrange measures immediately and remove the author bird from the cage or aviary. There is no documented cause for this behavior, but the chances of it happening are almost certainly slim if you regularly provide your birds with proper feeding, housing, rearing, and training.
Psittacosis
Psittacosis is a pathology of parrots and parakeets that is called ornithosis in other varieties of birds. It eventually manifests itself in the nymphs. This delicate disease is caused, in all cases, by an intracellular parasite Chlamydia psittaci, which differs from all other microorganisms by its unique growth cycle. It usually manifests itself particularly in dirty breeding operations and arrives in imported birds, especially smuggled birds. Do not trust nymphs with dirty appearance. They may appear healthy, but close examination may reveal that they are infected.
Psittacosis can manifest a multiplicity of symptoms, making its diagnosis difficult, particularly in its early stages. Generally, it begins with a bad cold, wet dripping from the nostrils, respiratory disorders, and hoarse, wheezing. The animal appears exhausted and frequently has diarrhea. Before the disease is considered fatal, the bird frequently suffers from cramps.
Feather Cysts
Another condition that occasionally manifests itself in nymphs is wing feathering. These bulges, which should not be confused with tumors, are the result of the development of a feather barrel within the feather follicle. The feathers huddle under the skin and cannot emerge. As more feathers grow under the skin, the larger the cyst becomes. If it breaks open, the cyst may be seen to be made of a cheese-like substance. An untreated cyst will break open over time, so there is a chance of further infection.
In certain cases, the bird itself pecks at the already opened cyst. The resulting secretion usually hardens on contact with the air and will form a crust that will grow with the feather, to finally come off. If a bird has multiple such cysts, only the veterinarian is responsible for surgically removing both the cysts and abnormal feathers. Cysts located on the back or tail should be removed completely.
Egg Retention
Nymphs that are properly housed and poorly fed suffer from egg retention, a difficulty that causes the bird to be unable to release an egg that is ready to hatch. The afflicted female has the appearance of being sick, stoops, is regularly on the ground (occasionally inside the nest box), moves little and is often easy to catch by hand. If she touches her belly, she will quickly notice the inconvenience: the egg is locked.
Normally, an egg does not remain more than 24 hours in the wide area that goes from the ovary to the cloaca, nor in the cloaca itself. At the right moment, the muscles of the lower part of the ovary push into the cloaca and thus, in a short time, expel the egg out of the body. Participating muscles may stop working due to a cold, nervous stress, having bred numerous times that year, poor muscle tone, or a lack of calcium and/or certain vitamins.
Another reason for egg retention is that they do not have a shell or have a very thin shell ("wind" eggs). Retention can be avoided in normal situations. Obviously, preparation is required for the prevention of any vitamin or mineral insufficiency. It is advisable to ensure that the nymph enjoys a balanced diet while it is breeding, that it has an appropriate supply of green food and sprouting seeds.
An additional precaution to lessen the possibility of egg retention is not to start breeding your birds too early in the breeding season. The temperature and humidity are probably not the most suitable so soon. Never breed females that are very young. Fortunately, egg retention is totally curable, as long as it is done quickly enough. The first thing is to use a plastic dropper to place a few drops of hot mineral oil in the cloaca, so that the egg can slide more smoothly.
Salmonela
Salmonella causes numerous victims among the youngest nymphs. The rod-like salmonella bacteria cause diarrhea, joint pain, and nerve disorders. The bacteria are transmitted through the feces of infected birds or their saliva (when the chicks are fed by their parents). Salmonella germs can still get into eggs. There are four varieties of the disease that sometimes manifest all at once.
- Intestinal Salmonella: Bacteria break through the intestinal walls, causing diarrhea with foul-smelling, thick, green or brown stools that are coated with mucus and have bits of undigested food in them. (Green stool color can also indicate bile infection).
- Salmonella of the joints: a powerful intestinal infection can cause bacteria to enter the bloodstream and infect the entire body of the bird, including bone joints, with the corresponding pain and causing strong inflammation. The infected bird only manages to calm the pain by stopping using wings and legs.
- Organ Salmonella: After the bacteria enter the bloodstream, they could infect all internal organs, particularly the liver, kidneys, pancreas and heart, as well as various glands. The affected bird becomes inactive, lying dejected in a corner of the cage or aviary, while its breathing becomes intermittent and its vision is reduced.
- Salmonella of the nerves: Salmonella can affect the nerves and spinal cord, which can lead to loss of balance and paralysis. Characteristic symptoms are difficulty turning the neck, fouling of the cloaca, and spasm-like contractions of the toes.
The nymphs infected by salmonella show serious stomach problems after three or four days. The bacteria proliferate in the intestinal lining and end up passing into the bloodstream. Victims quickly emerge among young birds lacking immunity. Older birds, however, incubate the disease for a long time, and if not treated properly become carriers with the power to infect other birds through their oviducts and feces. Large losses of young birds in the breeding season are an unequivocal sign of the presence of salmonellosis.
Obesity
Nymphs that don't get enough exercise because of their small cages or because they don't have plenty of toys to occupy them can tend to put on a lot of weight. Those who do not receive proper nutrition are also likely victims of fatness. The process of gaining a lot of weight is extremely slow. Owners must be alert and carefully monitor early signs of obesity.
When a nymph finds it difficult to perch, things have already gone too far. The bird may sit at the back of the cage, sleepy and panting heavily. The lines of its body become obtuse, heavy and bulging, and the skin reveals a yellowish appearance that can be noticed by blowing the feathers on the chest or belly. This is fat that shines under your skin. Nymphs who suffer from obesity can live much shorter lives than those who get enough exercise and have multiple interests.
The obese bird finds it difficult to shed and regularly lies prostrate with a bored face. They must prevent their nymphs from gaining weight, and if any are overweight, corrective action must be taken. The first thing is to get the birds plenty of exercise. The second measure is to improve their diet, supplying them with enormous quantities of well-washed vegetables or fruits that are free of chemical products. Do not feed them foods that are high in protein or fat.
Young
Molting is not a pathological condition. The feathers of the nymphs are subject to enormous wear and damage, in such a way that the consequences of time and wind, grooming, building the nest, the chicks hovering among them seeking warmth, all this greatly harms them. . This is the reason why they shed their plumage once a year.
In fact, curved-billed birds molt throughout the year, with the arrival of summer, after the breeding season and when the young have become independent. It can be inferred from this that the functions of the sexual organs (testicles, ovaries, etc.) are intimately linked with moulting. Additionally, a regular moult, without inconveniences, will depend on the time of year, temperature, humidity and the feeding of the nymph.
It can be recognized that the molt is greater after a warm spring and a good beginning of summer than in the cold and wet months. In certain cases, a bird is so anxious to molt that it constantly ruffles and shakes its feathers, even detaching them with its beak, presumably obtaining some relief. Usually, however, this is a time of rest for the nymphs, in which they shun all useless activity. Studies have shown that a bird's body temperature is somewhat higher than normal throughout the molt.
But in an unfavorable molt the temperature can be reduced. In this period, the nymphs require a diet rich in protein (the feathers are made up of 88% protein). They are also vulnerable to bone fractures, due to the reabsorption of calcium from the bone tissue. Since new feathers are made of protein, there is a chance that a bird that gets insufficient rations will use them to complete its diet.
Eventually, a nymph may lose many feathers at once and have trouble replacing them. Such a molt is called anomalous. A nymph that tends to lose feathers at the wrong season is still experiencing an abnormal molt. In most cases, these abnormal changes are caused by external environmental factors such as unusually high or low temperatures, sudden changes in the weather, shocks, pathologies or fears. One of the most common causes of abnormal molting is thyroid dysfunction.
Another kind of molt is the so-called shock molt, in which the nymph suddenly begins to shed feathers outside of the normal molting season. Such a molt can happen if the bird is startled or fearful; therefore, it is better to treat them with care and tenderness, particularly those of recent acquisition and that are still recognizing their surroundings.
Likewise, the young nymphs should be left alone so that gradually, but safely, they get used to their owner and their environment. That is why it is essential not to disturb them at night. Cats, owls, weasels, mice, rats, and other similar creatures should be kept away from the aviary so that they do not startle the nymphs and give them a shock moult.
Cases have been reported of birds with shock moulting that were removed to be treated for an entirely different disease. With this kind of molt the nymph regularly loses tail or down feathers, but very rarely wing feathers. Molting of tail feathers can be equated to the self-mutilation (or tail loss) of many varieties of lizard.
The Mute Francesca
Most bird admirers know what the French moult is, although fortunately it is rare in lovebirds and nymphs. It usually starts in young birds while they are still in the nest. Numerous theories have been put forward as to what causes the French moult, but there is no evidence that it is caused by a virus.
Mostly in French molt cases, a bird that is about to leave the nest and suddenly escapes will lose its newly acquired tail and flight feathers, or they will break off. Normally, the affected feathers are the original flight and tail feathers, but in severe cases the secondary feathers are also included.
It is not uncommon to see completely plucked birds! On the contrary, certain cases of French molt are so imperceptible that they are almost or totally unrecognizable; some birds lose only a few tail feathers and can even fly. It is interesting to note that in the French moult the feathers are often shed symmetrically. A daily check of nymphs with this disease will reveal that the inner primary feathers are usually the ones that are initially affected. Only the growing feathers are lost; those that are fully grown are not affected.
Colds
Respiratory complications can be caused by all kinds of problems: drafts, very cold temperatures, vitamin A deficiency, nervous stress, and exposure to various bacteria, fungi, and viruses. You will be able to recognize that your nymph is having breathing difficulties if her breathing is rapid and audible. It will leave its beak open and shake its tail up and down. The nymph will sneeze and cough, present nasal excretions and show no appetite. In most cases, she will lay dejectedly in a corner with her feathers ruffling.
Freezing
The nymphs have legs called zygodactyls, which means two fingers that point forward and two backwards, which have a predisposition to freeze. The very cold days of winter imply the possibility that the toes of their paws can get frozen. Frostbite can occur when nymphs cling to the wire mesh for too long, and sometimes tend to do so if frightened.
Very thin perches are also often problematic as birds' toes are relatively bare and therefore not covered by feathers. In such cases, it is obviously required to change the hangers. If you use sleeping boxes, line their bottoms with a separate layer of peat moss. The frozen part becomes dark, stiff and hard, which later dries up and detaches without obvious damage to the bird. At the first sign of infection, treat the wound immediately with non-caustic iodine. The vet usually prescribes some kind of cream.
Poisoning
Poisoning can also cause intestinal disorders. Birds can become poisoned by spoiled food or toxic substances. Do not expose the bird to insecticides or other chemical sprays. If you suspect that your nymphs are poisoned, change them in a warm environment well supplied with fresh green food and drinking water in which some bicarbonate of soda has been mixed (about 1 gram per full glass of water). Other effective purgatives are fresh milk or a few drops of Pepto-Bismol. Never give them baking soda for more than three days in a row.
A special kind of poisoning can occur when birds consume excessive amounts of protein, particularly in the breeding season. Affected birds often suddenly show all the characteristic symptoms of poisoning: they appear listless and sleepy, have labored breathing, and no longer fly. They often suffer from severe diarrhea, which can even lead to rapid death.
Fractures
Leg or wing fractures can be avoided by handling birds carefully and by sheltering them from barking dogs and prowling cats. If an accident occurs, consult a specialized veterinarian, but if you feel capable of treating a broken leg on your own, proceed to straighten the fractured parts and splint the fracture on both sides of the leg with a pair of thin sticks. Take care to hold the slats in place while wrapping gauze tightly around the leg and then wrapping with tape. You want to limit any movement at the fracture site.
Sometimes it's easy to mistake a torn muscle for a broken leg. This can happen when a bird makes desperate moves to free itself after being caught in the wire mesh. Torn muscles do not heal very easily. You can try to immobilize the affected leg with a bandage, with the intention of keeping it static while nature takes its course.
Broken and fallen wings are more convenient to bandage with gauze. To do this, make a cut in the gauze, then insert the folded wing through the cut. Gauze should be wrapped around the body and the wing attached to one leg to prevent it from slipping out. You have to make sure that the bandage is strong without squeezing the bird too much. Although most birds become habituated to the treated leg or wing, certain patients will need to wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent pecking at their wounds.
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Excellent article. I have two nymphs and it helps a lot to understand their symptoms while you get an appointment at the veterinary clinic. One of them suffered from the French moult and she has not flown again, but she is the happiest.