society that can't fly
Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 7:24 pm
Let start with Mo is not a breeder. I got him for a companion for my other society after I lost my hen (cat attack my fault I didn't take the cat to bed with me like I always do). When I picked him out he was in a small cage with several other birds. We had been messing with them (trying to catch different ones) so when he was easy to catch I noted it but thought he was just tired. I brought him home and he has been in a small breeder cage for a month. The cage is only 14" high so I never noticed a problem.
This weekend I put both societies in the big flight. Took note that Mo was on the bottom of the cage. Said something to hubby, he inturn puts Mo up on the hook on the plant in the cage. Mo set there for two hours. I went in and opened the cage door and he took off. I'm sure what he thought was a take off more like an ungraceful fall. I really started looking at him. Why I didn't notice this sooner I don't know. His wings are like stubs. The feathers are there and fully formed but very short. It almost looks like someone cliped his wings but there is no way that happened.
I'm leaving him in the flight with the other birds. They don't pick on him. We made him a ramp so he can get up off of the cage floor. He does "hop" better than he did three days ago but no flight. He isn't out of shap his wings are just short. If I notice that he is having a hard time I will take him out of the flight but for now he is happy. He sings to me everytime I see him.
Question is there somthing I can do for him to help his feathers grow in right or am I just SOL and the little guy will always be special? Like I said he is happy and over all health is good. It is just sad having a bird that can't get enough lift to get more than eight inches off the ground.
Any thoughts?
This weekend I put both societies in the big flight. Took note that Mo was on the bottom of the cage. Said something to hubby, he inturn puts Mo up on the hook on the plant in the cage. Mo set there for two hours. I went in and opened the cage door and he took off. I'm sure what he thought was a take off more like an ungraceful fall. I really started looking at him. Why I didn't notice this sooner I don't know. His wings are like stubs. The feathers are there and fully formed but very short. It almost looks like someone cliped his wings but there is no way that happened.
I'm leaving him in the flight with the other birds. They don't pick on him. We made him a ramp so he can get up off of the cage floor. He does "hop" better than he did three days ago but no flight. He isn't out of shap his wings are just short. If I notice that he is having a hard time I will take him out of the flight but for now he is happy. He sings to me everytime I see him.
Question is there somthing I can do for him to help his feathers grow in right or am I just SOL and the little guy will always be special? Like I said he is happy and over all health is good. It is just sad having a bird that can't get enough lift to get more than eight inches off the ground.
Any thoughts?