FINCHforum

I just had a clutch of 3 baby zebras leave the nest yesterday and today. The first one that fledged landed on the cage floor (a grate) and had a terrible time. I quickly laid newspaper all across the grate so their little legs wouldnt get caught. But too late. The one baby I believe has 2 broken legs. He is healthy otherwise. The parents are still feeding him. The other 2 are doing very well. But this one with the broken legs just stays in one spot on the floor of the cage. He trys to fly, and when he does all that happens is he scoots around the floor of the cage. I dont know what to do. I feel so bad cause it is all my stupidity. If I would just have had covering over the grate this wouldnt have happened. What should I do.

Oh my, I am so sorry. Don't beat yourself up about it. I am sure you could not have forseen this.
I don't know about broken wings, but perhaps they can heal on their own after a while. I would just watch it for a while and make sure there is some millet and water on the cage floor for it to reach. As long as the parents are feeding it your in good shape. Perhaps you could put a perch really low for it. Good luck and keep us posted.

At this time - there is not much you can do other than to wait and see how the chick does. Time will tell what damage was done as well. Birds can live with handicaps - you will have to make some adjustments to the cage in order to make things easier for them (such as low perches and low placement of food/water).

I usually remove the grates from all of my breeding cages. I have had situations where birds get the band stuck between the grate and the side of the cage and we ended up having to remove the leg. Plus - for me - the grates are more difficult to clean. Just an idea you might want to consider.

I took the grates out of mine so they walk on the newspaper.

Thank You so much for your replies. I did put some food and water where he can reach it. I dont have removeable grates on the cages I use, I use an 8 breeding cage cabinet. so my only option for now is to line the cages with newspaper. But that I will do as I really dont want this happening again to another bird. He is not putting any weight on his legs at all. Maybe tommorow will be better. Thank you for responding. It seems I learn new things everyday about my little fids but sure feel bad that a bird has to be injured in the process..

I am sorry to hear of your troubles....I hope he recovers in time.

That is something I would have never even thought about concerning the grates and fledglings....I will have to remember that when I breed my Owls this fall. Luckily I have a removable grate. I do take it out at night and clean it but don't put it in until morning....that way it doesn't get pooped up during the night at least!

The first thing I do with new cages is remove the damn things ...I've never liked the idea of birds walking on them.
Paul.

In my parrot cages - I've removed all the grates. In my breeding cages the grates are not removable but I have them all covered on top with newspaper which makes cleaning sooooo much easier.

I'm so sorry this happened to your little baby--as Tammy said, only time will tell. It is surprising how many handicaps they can overcome. My breeding cages have removable grates, which I had removed, mainly because I am lazy and hate cleaning grates! I never thought about babies being hurt by them. My foster cages have non-removable grates, so I'd better start laying newspaper on top of them.

Thank you for all your replies.. My little one didnt make it, I really didnt think she would with her problems. But I sure did learn a valuable lesson and now all my cages have newspaper over the grates. If I didnt just spend soooo much money on these cages I would start over with new ones but I have to do what I have to do to keep my fids safe. So they will stay covered with newspaper. Thank you again for your kind words..

So sorry to hear that

Awe...sorry for your lost, things like this happen to ppl everywhere, there will be more clutches and by then you should be expierenced enough to know what the best and safest ways to set up your breeding cages. i have lost a few clutches moving and now everything is good and im having babies like crazy. So far i have at least 24 new hatchlings and 3 more nest with pairs incubating and nests that are being built.

I'm sorry to hear about the little one. It's always difficult when they pass away.

How are the other two babies doing - okay? Flying all over the place now?