FINCHforum

My zebra finch had gotten its toe stuck in some string that a toy was hanging on (now removed) but even though I removed as much as I could the toe is blackish brown and sideways. I fear that he has lost circulation and was wondering what to do if his toe does indeed fall off to make his life as comfortable as possible? also, could a finch survive the loss of a back toe and still have a good quality of life?

Apparently finches can live perfectly fine lives with a missing toe. Is it bothering your finch? I’ve had a finch loose two toes and it died On the other hand I’ve had a canary with a toe hanging by a thread and the toe healed upside down! If your finch is still hopping and flying around like normal then that is a good sign. On her other hand if your finch can’t get off the ground... Is your finch in shock?

zebrafinch13 well ive had one with a whole foot not working and slowly falling off and this is only a 5 week old fledgling and doing fine he will be fine honestly just make sure they’re is no infection and yes they do perfectly fine with a toe missing it doesn’t bother them abit after the tenderness has worn off

I'm treating one of my canaries right now who had a broken toe that turned black, and then got infected. Sometime between last night and this morning it fell off.

I'd recommend treating it to avoid infection, and then monitor for signs of pain. Back toe I imagine is more valued than one of the three front toes, but I have a canary where the back toe doesn't seem to bend at all (basically useless) and she seems to manage just fine.

Rob wrote: I'm treating one of my canaries right now who had a broken toe that turned black, and then got infected. Sometime between last night and this morning it fell off.

I'd recommend treating it to avoid infection, and then monitor for signs of pain. Back toe I imagine is more valued than one of the three front toes, but I have a canary where the back toe doesn't seem to bend at all (basically useless) and she seems to manage just fine.

Yeah my canary had her back toe hanging by a thread. I thought it would fall off but it didn’t! I hope the claw doesn’t grow back tho otherwise it’ll grow back upside down!

I had a Society finch get his foot caught in bamboo nest. Over time two toes turned black and fell off. Didn't seem to bother him at all. Although he couldn't grasp a perch with that foot, he used it for balance and even continued to do an impressive mating dance. He helped his mate raise many more clutches.

Feather has been spending most of his time in his nest, its a plastic orange food dish. so he shouldn't be able to injure himself further and he doesn't appear to be in shock but is defiantly finding his foot painful. I've also treated the toe with Hydrogen Peroxide so it (hopefully) shouldn't get infected. what are your other experiences with a bird of this type of injury? Is there anything I should expect? or any way to make the injury less painful?

I would also rub an antibacterial ointment on it, such as polysporin. That will protect it from bacteria as well. Hydrogen peroxide as far as I understand only flushes out existing bacteria.

Once it's healed, I don't think there's anything else you could do. Just continue to monitor like you are and your bird should live a long happy life.