broken wing

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Thu May 29, 2008 11:26 pm

How does this happen? Came home and noticed one of my gouldians with a broken wing. It doesn't hang down much, but she isn't flying. She is on the bottom of the cage hanging out. I put a tray of water and food on the bottom and she is eating well. She tries to fly, but can't.

As I see it, I have 3 options. Put her down, take her to a avian vet for a splint, or let her rest in a hospital cage. Would it just stress her out more if I wrapped her wing against her body?

Any experience with this with any of you? Just curious on the outcome of what you did, if it worked, if you should have done something differently.

Thanks.

TammyS · Post by **TammyS** » Fri May 30, 2008 7:27 am

I'm sorry to hear about your bird! This is just one of those things that just happens unfortunately.

I don't think it is necessary to put her down - as long as you realize that you will most likely have to make some special accommodations in the cage for her.

You could try taking her to the vet, but they may not be able to do anymore than you can.

I have heard of situations where individuals have tried to splint the wing, but it is difficult to do and frequently falls off. The best advice I have heard is to make sure the wing is set in a position that will cause the bird the least inconvenience (once healed) and then just leave it alone to heal.

I would continue to keep her in a separate cage for the time being, you might want to provide her with a heat source (depending on temps in your area). Keep all the food and perches low in the cage also. Birds are very resilient and can heal quite quickly.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Fri May 30, 2008 8:02 am

I agree with Tammy. She has given you the best adivce anyone can.
I also would not put her down. I had to do that once with a fledging and it was a very difficult thing to do. As long as the bird is eating and doing okay otherwise, give her some time to heal. She possiblly could.
Best of luck and keep us posted.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Fri May 30, 2008 11:56 am

Thanks for the advice. The bummer part is that she just laid 3 eggs this week. I've put those eggs under societies.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:08 pm

The hen is doing amazing well despite her injury. She now jumps on the lower perch, then to the higher perches to sleep at night. Wondering if I'm beating a dead horse by placing the nest box back inside their cage.
Having a tough time finding a replacement for her in the same mutation, and she seems pretty happy even tho she still can't fly.

Post by **Sally** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:13 pm

It's only been 2 weeks, so she sounds like she is doing really well for such a short period of time. I'd give her more time to heal, though.