Is there such thing as lazy canaries?

Question

I have canaries that are kind of droopy. I have given them Baytril, and Ivomectrin, according to the vet's orders. My sickest canary wants to spend most of his time under a red heat-lamp.

I have others that just don't seem very playful and energetic.

They are all under 3 years old.

Is it possible that they are lazy and out of shape? Or are they sick?

What can I do about this problem?

Answer 1

Why have you got a heat lamp? Canaries are happy in normal household and outdoor environments down to temperatures approaching -3c. Yes at moulting time they get a bit tired and look like a feather duster but if you are not in the southern hemisphere that shouldnt be the case. But there is a possibility that that heat lamp of yours dep[ending on when you started to use it... may have induced an out of season moult.
In not (and possibly irrespective of that) it sounds like your birds are sick.

Canaries are by natrure almost hyperactive and behaviour to the contrary suggests that the bird is feeling unwell. No healthy happy birds dont get out of shape they dont eat junk food like us and dont sit in front of a TV all day either so thats not the problem.

Have yo looked at their Poo or listened to their breathing?
Canaries can get air sac mites that make them wheezy and like an asthmatic they feel tired and so on and ar not so eneregetic. the other obvious possibility is digestive problems like coccidea (excuse my spelling) that attacks the birds stomach and they are unable to digest food (this also usually results in a messy rear end).
If your birds are not moulting I suggest that you give them some bird vitamins (pet shops usually have some), check out the vets for one that specialises in birds and take the sickest one if not all of them to the vet for a check up.

Answer 2

Lazy yes, but that means they just don't sing well. But it sounds to me like they are sick and your vet has missed it...

I take it there are no external symptoms Canaries are generally fairly hearty and I don't imagine you house them outside. The only thing I can think of is either Cocciciosis or air sac mites. Both cause listlessness and weight loss. But I'd think with the Cocci you'd notice diarrhea (wet droppings)and with air sac mites, open mouth breathing or mucus. Check out the site below for medications and symptoms.

Answer 3

Try leaving the cage open, but make sure your windows are closed. If they are afraid, or simply will not attempt to get out, then your birds are ill. Laziness is a phychological dilema, which requires more cognition than a bird is capable of. Birds react on instinct, not on logic. It is possible that they have a rare condition known as hypoavianosis.

Answer 4

I have had caneries all of my life. They are ALL perky, all day long. They sound sick, if it were rare laziness it would only be one.

Are you only feeding seed? It is a common mistake people make. Caneries need lots of green vegies too, as well as fresh fruit (oranges, apples).

Answer 5

Probably bored. Add a cat for excitement plus.

Answer 6

Maybe let them watch Oprah in the afternoon.

Answer 7

i dont see why not, there's lazy people.