otherchuck
Member
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 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