Scared to death...

[Cpht]

I am a new zebra finch owner. I have had cockatiels and parakeets my whole life. I have always admired the finches and decided to give them a try. I am smitten by these little jewels! I bought a pair to start and I have them in an aviary-like setup made from an antique China cabinet. Now, yesterday my boy, Nico, decided to fly out when I opened the door to change the food and water. In all the commotion he managed to somehow hurt his right foot and wing. The wing seems better today, but his foot is sort of dangling. There was no blood yesterday when it happened. I have felt the foot and it is still warm and I don't see any discoloration. He definitely is not feeling well. He is just sitting with his eyes closed for the most part and breathing fast. I am so worried that he may have some internal damage. I put him in a separate cage with a light this morning and offered him some egg and millet. He ate quite well. I am so upset, I don't know what else to do for the little fella. Most of all I blame myself because I am afraid I did something wrong. Anyone with any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[Sally]

First off, we've all made these kind of mistakes, they happen, don't be too hard on yourself. It sounds like you've done the right thing so far by putting him in a smaller cage with a heat lamp. The fact that he is eating well is a good sign. I think you will just have to wait and see how he does. Make sure with the lamp that he can move away from the heat if he needs to. Please keep us posted.

Welcome to the forum, thought it isn't under the best of circumstances. There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on finch care. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier to help you.

[lovezebs]

Cpht

Welcome to the Forum, although I wish it was under better circumstances.

Is the leg broken, and if it is, where is the break?

It sounds like he took quite the tumble and is probably in some pain. Let him rest in peace and quiet and keep doing what you have been doing.

Poor little guy.

Good luck

[Cpht]

Thanks for the replies. The only thing I can see is his back toe looks like maybe it is broken, but I am not really sure what to look for so I may be wrong. All I know is he won't use that foot. He either dangles it or holds it up close to his body.

[lovezebs]

Cpht

Poor little guy.

It might be broken, sprained, or bruised.

[w.l.]

It sounds to me that the door of that cage might well be too big if the bird could fly out.
To ensure no such thing happens again, you should construct a smaller door, big enough to change feed and water but not for your finch to fly out next to your hand.