Badly Plucked Owl Finch

[henrietta]

I went to Petsupermarket last night for some supplies and I went over and checked out the finches, like always, and I noticed a poor owl finch whose entire back and bottom were plucked of all their feathers. He has no tail feathers at all. He was sitting hunched up on the perch while an Orange-Cheeked Waxbill sat next to him and slowly plucked him constantly. The poor owl didn't even try to get away, he just flinched every time. Then he went down to get some seeds and I could see he has a large open sore on his back. While he was eating, 2 OC waxbills took turns biting that open sore. And still he just flinched every time but kept on eating.

It was so horrible to watch, so I bought him. I'm so stupid, I should have made a scene over how they keep their birds and demanded him for free, but I was just so upset I wanted to get him and get out!! :[ I feel dumb for paying them $100 but I'm just so glad he's home with me and safe.

So anyway, I got home and searched on the forums about plucking and I have him in a "hospital cage" (just a small cage) and he has a desk lamp on him. He really loves that, he sits on the perch closest and turns his bare back to the light. He even moves his wings aside and warms his wound. He has seeds, water, mineral treat, cuttlebone, and pellets. I will try some hard boiled egg later today.

On the positive side, he's already much more active and "confident" than I saw him looking last night. He is chirping to my zebra finches nearby and they chirp back.

This is my question: Should I take him to the vet? I've never taken a bird before so I don't know what they can do for him.

I don't have any bird medicine like Feather Fast or Thrive to give him. Should I order some or take him to the vet?

Also he is very nervous, I don't think I could get close enough to administer anything to his wound like neosporin or something.

He's so scared of me, I couldn't get any pictures of his back to show you the wound.

[debbie276]

For now the only extras I would offer are hard boiled eggs chopped up, maybe add hand feeding formula if you have any. Don't dilute the protein with additives like bread crumbs. Right now he needs the high protein in the egg and extra heat.
Kudos to you for saving him, best of luck

[henrietta]

thanks debbie, I'm glad I got him, but I'm so mad at myself for paying full price and not at least telling them off!!

I gave him some egg, but so far he hasn't touched it. I don't have handfeeding formula. Do you think I should get some?

[debbie276]

I would probably just stick with the egg. See if you can sprinkle the egg pieces in his seed so he just might pick one up by accident.
More then anything I'm sure he just needs a much needed rest and time to de-stress.
I'm betting you were more focused on helping the owl then you were on telling them off, it happens, you did good.

[Sally]

Keep offering the egg, that is the best thing he can eat right now. You could try mixing in a little veggies, like a small amount of broccoli chopped fine. Heat and quiet, and he should recover. Kudos to you for saving him, he would not have lasted otherwise.

[henrietta]

I would probably just stick with the egg. See if you can sprinkle the egg pieces in his seed so he just might pick one up by accident.

Debbie, you're a genius!! I sprinkled some on his seeds and he immediately started eating the egg!!! Thank you!!!

[debbie276]

Oh I'm so glad it worked for you, best of luck.
We're all pulling for him!

[henrietta]

Heat and quiet, and he should recover.

That is good to hear I was not looking forward to a vet visit.

Do you (or anyone else reading this) have any experience with a bird that has been this badly plucked to be able to give a rough estimate of recovery time? I mean, are we looking at weeks or months or a year?

[lyzzyjayne]

Bless you,Bless you, Bless you!! My Lands how heartbreaking I am SO GLAD you saved him!

[henrietta]

Bless you,Bless you, Bless you!! My Lands how heartbreaking I am SO GLAD you saved him!

thanks! :] I am too. I hope I can finish the job and get him back to complete health!

[wilkifam]

Thank you for saving him!

[Zebrafincher]

Poor little thing! Unfortuntaely finches tend to have a tendency to pick on eachother when they are in smaller cages. Its a great thing you've done and adopted him! Vets can really help. I take all my birds to the local bird vet regularly. I adopted one of my star finches, Merlin, and he was completely bald! All the other finches were picking on him. He's grown the feathers back, so your little guy should be alright. If he's left alone to recover, he will regrow these. Good luck with him/her

[Zebrafincher]

It took my bird Merlin probably 3-4 months before his head feathers grew back. With plucking this bad, it might be longer.

[henrietta]

It took my bird Merlin probably 3-4 months before his head feathers grew back. With plucking this bad, it might be longer.

Did your little guy need his heat lamp that entire time? And did you keep him isolated the whole time? Did he have a hard time readjusting to other birds after that? sorry for all the questions lol

[Zebrafincher]

I kept Merlin isolated from my other birds for several weeks (until he was confirmed as healthy - dewormed, dusted for mites, air sac mites). You need to give your bird some time to get used to the new set up. My biurd has always been nervous but he's relaxed a lot. I keep my birds all in separate cages but next to eachother so they can see and talk to eachother as they are all boys. He's a happy little finch and sings a lot. I didn't use a lamp but he wasn't as plucked as your little one. He will get used to you too.