Hi all I'm new to this forum.
Today I found one of my baby zebra finches on the floor of my aviary. The finch is 3 weeks old today. The finch is badly hurt. It looks like a broken wing. Most of the feathers are gone and there is a big spot on the featherless wing that's open and bleeds every time the poor baby moves the wing. I can't afford to take the baby to a avian vet. Money is tight. I removed the little one as soon as I saw that its injured. I cleaned the wound with a light salt solution and put betadine om the wound afterwards. I am handfeeding the baby with a handrearing formula. Am I doing everything right so far? I also went to my local petshop that specialises in birds, I took the baby with me to show him. The guy who owns the place loves birds and aren't just doing it to have a job. He also told me to do the cleaning and betadine for the healing I also want to know do the baby still need warm from its parents? Or not I don't have a brooder. What I did is place the baby in a nestbox inside my home. Filled the nestbox with pine shavings and ripped pieces of toilet paper. I also covered the hole in the nest box so that the baby can't escape. But I did lift the roof of the nest box so that there is fresh air coming in. I do not have an extra cage to put the nest box in.
Is there anything else I could do and would the pine shaving and toilet paper keep the baby warm?
Sorry for the long post.
injured baby zebra finch
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ac12
- Molting
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Re: injured baby zebra finch
Once it fledges, it does not need heat from the parents sitting on it.
But bare skin is a source of loss of heat, so small incandescent lamp, to provide heat will help it.
Maybe you can get a small cage so it isn't kept in the dark.
I would think it needs some light to get a sense of day and night, and when to be active and eat and when to sleep.
gud luk with the chick.
But bare skin is a source of loss of heat, so small incandescent lamp, to provide heat will help it.
Maybe you can get a small cage so it isn't kept in the dark.
I would think it needs some light to get a sense of day and night, and when to be active and eat and when to sleep.
gud luk with the chick.
Gary
gouldians (GB,YB,BB), blackbelly firefinches (trying to breed), societies (foster parents).
red factor canary
gouldians (GB,YB,BB), blackbelly firefinches (trying to breed), societies (foster parents).
red factor canary
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lovezebs
- Mod Extraordinaire
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Re: injured baby zebra finch
I remember using a shoe box with a light over it to keep injured birds warm and quiet. I would offer a small bowl of water and a little bit of food. You could put a little bit of screen on the top, so that he wont hop out at any point. Regarding the broken wing though... I'm not sure what should be done about that. Perhaps one of our more experienced finchers will come through with some words of wisdom.
Goodluck with your poor little baby.
Goodluck with your poor little baby.
~Elana~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
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Corkysgirl
- Weaning
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Re: injured baby zebra finch
I don't think it's a good idea to use pine shavings. Here's a link about it. Keep the baby warm, water available in a low dish so it can get to it. I'm sure there are others who know more about this subject than me but I know it is possible to heal from this. http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/features_bedding.php
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monotwine
- Proven
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- Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2009 7:50 am
- Location: South Africa
Re: injured baby zebra finch
Welcome to the forum. This is a great place to get help in such instances.
I am not sure if your birds are in an indoor cage or kept outdoors. If indoors I would be tempted to try leave the baby with the parents to feed and just doctor it as necessary. If the bleeding has stopped and you have cleaned it and the cage is obviously clean, the baby might be ok to heal in the cage with its clutch mates (if there are any). Zebras are quite demanding babies and could possible still beg from the parents. You could always provide a lamp near the cage so the baby can cuddle next to it for heat.
Obviously that is a win win situation for you if you don't have to hand rear. IF you do, then you seem to be on the right road.
I am not sure if your birds are in an indoor cage or kept outdoors. If indoors I would be tempted to try leave the baby with the parents to feed and just doctor it as necessary. If the bleeding has stopped and you have cleaned it and the cage is obviously clean, the baby might be ok to heal in the cage with its clutch mates (if there are any). Zebras are quite demanding babies and could possible still beg from the parents. You could always provide a lamp near the cage so the baby can cuddle next to it for heat.
Obviously that is a win win situation for you if you don't have to hand rear. IF you do, then you seem to be on the right road.