Special Needs Finch Accommodations

[Celeris]

Hey guys!

I have a zebra who broke his leg a few weeks back. He's still living in a hospital cage as his necrotic toes have just started falling off. (I decided to take this course instead of attempting a vet visit after a forum search that revealed several knowledgeable members find this to be the way to go.)

Anyhow, as you might imagine, the little guy definitely can't perch as well as he did pre-accident. I'm trying to think of some ways I can accommodate him to make resting a bit easier. It seems like platform-like surfaces are currently his preference, so I will likely think up some specialized perches for him.

In the mean time, though, I know we have some keepers of special needs finches here and wondered if anyone had any recommendations? Any pictures of setups you might have for birds with a single leg?

Thanks!

[Fraza]

Hi I’ve never had one with a sore foot however I could imagine that a larger perch would help as then he wouldn’t have to stand he can just sit on it as it’s flat and not round

Something maybe like this https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1951/ ... 1497007779

[lovezebs]

Celeris

Hello,

Yes, I do have a one legged, one winged Zebra boy by the name of Max.

Here are some pictures of the setups I have and have had for him.

[Celeris]

Fraza

Something like that is a good idea! I was thinking of maybe getting some untreated lumber and making rectangular perches. But just buying a perch like that seems a much easier route to take!

[Celeris]

lovezebs

Thanks for the pics! Does Max do much perching, or does he seem okay being bound to the ground?

I've been trying different things with my guy in the smaller cage. Everyone is in 30x18x18 cages, separated by species right now (since my Christmas tree had to take the place of my large flight cage), so that's giving me time to see how Prof (one-legged finch) adapts and what he prefers. He honestly seems to be balancing better and better, but for actual rest, he's relying on the little platform (covered in grippy shelf liner) that I have in there for him right now. I'm definitely thinking I'm going to have to try something flatter for putting him back in the big cage.

[Fraza]

Celeris yeh I’m guessing it will work hope everything goes well

[Fernando]

A large flight cage is far more important than a christmas tree. The birds are living creatures - the tree is just a deco.

[lovezebs]

Celeris

Hi,

Max can't perch at all. He can only sit on flat surfaces that are very close to the ground. This is due to the fact that he's missing both a leg and a wing on the same side, so he can't balance well enough to perch.

How is your little guy doing?

[Celeris]

Fernando

I think you misunderstand--I have two birds each in 30"x18"x18" cages as a temporary setup. Such cages are considered quite acceptable for that quantity of birds as permanent housing. And in the case of this "special" finch, it's a step up from the small hospital cage he lived in for a few weeks of his recovery. For me to be comfortable adding my little one-legged finch back to the flock, all birds would have to be removed and the cage rearranged, so this is a way to give the flight cage a deep clean and set everything up all over again, providing for my now special finch's needs.

I agree with your sentiment that living beings take priority over decoration and I assure you I am not neglecting my guys in any way. They're far more spoiled than even my husband can hope to be. ;)

[Celeris]

lovezebs

Goodness, poor little Max! Guess I didn't think about how crucial the missing wing is, although I should have with how much I've watched my little Prof flutter of late.

He is adapting to his circumstances quite well, though he definitely is showing preference for "sitting down," rather than perching. I've got one of those perches that Fraza posted on order, so I'll try him with that before I make any move to put him back in the big cage. He seems to get around just fine, so I'm confident if I provide him with a couple special spots to rest in the big cage, he'll be able to manage the larger space just fine.