help! owl attacked my finches pics of damage

chinchilla · Post by **chinchilla** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:49 pm

and i don't mean the finch owl, it was a barn owl

i heard a big ruckus coming from the finches last night and went out to see an owl on top of one of my zebs cage, (they are outside, under a veranda/patio area) i saw the damage....one chick missing and the dad is pretty seriously hurt. i covered all the cages so the owl can't reach them and this moring i took photos

heres the dad, everyone else is ok, just a little in shock and i saw them eating so i'm guessing they are going to be ok

he lost his tail feathers, i'd say that tis is one lucky finch. i watched him eat so he's not in shock but what are the chances that his injuries will get infected? i have vitamins for water, should i pump them up with that?

Post by **Sally** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:17 am

That is one lucky finch, is right! Poor thing, he was trying to save his baby. I did a quick search, but most of the info around is for illness or broken bones, not gouges--ouch! I don't think extra vitamins are going to do anything, but if you have something like Guardian Angel, or a probiotic, anything that is advertised as giving the immune system a boost. I think one of the biggest dangers with cuts like that is blood loss, and that will affect them very quickly. The fact that he is eating is a good sign. Please keep us posted.

chinchilla · Post by **chinchilla** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:08 pm

he is dong great this morning and is eating well and i even saw his chicks preening him! i thought it was so sweet.

i haven't got a probiotic hehe i suppose it would be a good investment. i have antibiotics for birds in case the grazes do get infected. yes at first i was worried about blood loss but he didn't appear to be bleeding on that night, you know how grazes don't bleed that much.

i cover the cages every night now. i'll have to call that finch indianna jones or something hehe he battled the huge monster and lived!

williep · Post by **williep** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:27 am

chinchilla, that is one brave finch and best of all he would have some battle scars and a great story to tell his grand children one day! He definitely got off lightly considering the raptor is 50 times his size. You go Indiana!

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:17 am

OMG....how awful!!

How is he doing today Chinchilla...is he healing well?

chinchilla · Post by **chinchilla** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:20 pm

he is healing excellently and no sign of an infection. he's a little unsteady flying because he lost his tail feathers but hes eating and drinking.

i wouldn't recommend he buy a lottery ticket

i don't think he got much luck left