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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

finch eye disease; how long should I leave feeders down? (1 Viewer)

Greetings,

I noticed a finch on one of my finch nyjer feeders that had one eye crusted closed in what looks exactly like finch eye disease conjunctivitis. I took down both of my feeders, tossed the remaining nyjer seed, and thoroughly sanitized them by soaking them in a weak bleach solution for an hour. I have left them down for about 4 days so far to allow the finch population to disperse a little. Can I put the feeders back up, or should I leave them down longer?

Is there anything else I can do at all to tamp down the spread of this disorder? I have only seen it in a couple birds, but now I know what to look for, I will be more alert and I will sanitize more regularly.

When I have the feeders up (not near one another), they attract tons of finches; often 5 or 6 on a feeders at a time with many many perched nearby waiting for their turn. They can empty a large tube style feeder in less than two days. I love having them around but if my busy feeders are helping spread the disease, then I would have to consider taking them down permanently.

For the record...in case it is useful to have this info...I live in southern California, USA.

Otherchuck
 
I leave mine to dry naturally after sanitizing and then refill and put out the next day....without any noticeable adverse effects. Also, following the instructions on the cleaning product. I would think 4 days is ample.
 
Additionally I also rotate the feeders around ( different hanging stations, hooks or trees ) so that the ground underneath has a chance to recover and regrow. It's also deemed good practice to take up any leftover seed and remove bird dropping - I'm too idle to do this
 
I leave mine to dry naturally after sanitizing and then refill and put out the next day....without any noticeable adverse effects. Also, following the instructions on the cleaning product. I would think 4 days is ample.

Pat, I think he means relevent to diseased birds rather than anything else?

I'd certainly stop feeding for a month or maybe more, if a diseased bird turns up, you're back to square one.
 
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