FINCHforum

Hi, this is my first post. I am not sure what to do. I have 2 Society parents and 5 chicks right now.

The one that I believe to be the male, just got tangled in the wire cage (where the food dish slides in and out). He has his leg tucked up and I cannot see it now, but there was a little blood.

They seem so delicate. What should I do? Thanks

Do you know if he is still bleeding or if it has stopped? Birds do not have a lot of blood and even a few drops is a lot to loose for them. I would try to see if he is still bleeding, determine where it is from, and apply pressure to stop it. If it is a nail that got ripped off or something, then I am pretty sure you can use flour or corn starch to stop the bleeding on a toe if you dont have quick stop.

I just got another look at it and I don't see any more blood. It does look like there is something swollen though. He keeps flying into the nest with the chicks though.

hmm...I would get the number to a local avian vet if you dont have one on hand. Keep an eye on the little guy, it may just be flared up because he twisted his leg or scraped it trying to get free. Is he feeding the chicks or just going to the nest for comfort? Have you seen him using it at all to perch with or has he been holding it up the entire time?

Unless you want to go to the trouble of visiting an expensive avian vet...I wouldn't worry too much.It sounds harsh...but small birds are very quick to overcome leg injuries.He will soon adjust to using the one good leg until the other heals.
Not in this case I know...but this is why those damned bottom grills used in wire cages should be covered in newspaper or similar.They are responsible for many injuries in birds...mine have all been removed long ago.
Good luck with him...

I agree with Poohbear in regards to the vet. I still think you should always have a good vets number on hand though, especially if you noticed a broken bone or something. I have never had a problem with the wire bottoms on the cages though. I know most of you hate them and cover them and/or remove them, but I have used them without incident. I don't care for the mess that the birds can make with nothing seperating them from all the seed hulls and feces that they drop in the sliding bottom below the grates.

He is not holding it up tucked now, but he cannot use it properly. The swollen part appears to be between the end of the leg and the back nail. It is preventing him from holding the perch.

He didn't get caught on the bottom wires--it was the little doors that the food slides in and out of area.

Thanks for your advice. I really appreciate it.

When I have to cage my birds, I never use grills. In my classroom cage we cover the grills with newspaper. I for some reason hate to see them walk around on those grills.

Changing the paper daily is so much easier for me.

Hope he heals quickly.

I for the first time put paper towels on top of the grill of a cage today - the cordon's are so tiny they just couldnt spread out those little toes far enough I guess and kept falling through...

Hello Kerryland...just wanted to welcome you to the Forum!

I hope your finches leg is doing better today?

Thanks for the welcome. I admit, I got on here in a panic. I got a good look today and it still looks swollen. Poor thing.