We're going to have a one-legged birdie. :(

[Sheather]

Apparently one of the things my socies found for their nest was a single cat hair, picked from some hidden corner. And it seems that at some point, this cat hair found itself tangled around the leg of one of our poor 13 day old babies.

I was able to remove the hair, but the damage is definitely done. The foot is necrotic and drying up.

I'm hoping no infection sets in and the wound heals sufficiently to allow the poor little guy to fledge normally in another couple of weeks - hopefully, knowing no different and being so young, he'll be able to adapt right away and get around okay with the handicap. Poor little thing. :c Hoping he gets thrugh okay - how sad it is, so young and already damaged for life.



I suppose you just can't always predict these sorts of things.

[delray]

Sheather I'm sorry. That's crazy. I hope he recovers well and can be happy.

[Sheather]

Me too.

I remember the little similarly injured Gouldian I fostered this summer. He got his injury as an adult and then languished for months in a tiny cage. Because of this he lost all muscle mass and all will to recover - he passed two weeks after being adopted, having never being able to stand up.

Really hope this poor guy does better.

[delray]

He is a baby, so he is weak. But I feel like if he gets through these next days or weeks, he will be stronger than ever and able to adapt.

[Sheather]

Right now he (or she) is very well fed and still begging like a champ, so that's good. It's remarkable how hardy they are.

[delray]

He/she is a trooper!!!!!!!!

[Sally]

He should be able to adapt quite well to having one leg. They learn to perch and get around.

[biccio]

In case this is of any consolation.. my Ivory has been living on the floor of the cage for almost 5 months now. She does not perch, since she had a bandage for too much time, and the other leg is damaged too..but she is doing fine for that.

[wilkifam]

I had a similar incident with a thread from a cage skirt, but fortunately it only got the toe..... You can't predict these things. Maybe because it is so young it won't know any different and will adapt fine.

[Atbird]

My dad breeds canaries and when you have so many statistically there are going to be problems. One of his hens lost a two toes on one leg, but recovered and went on with a normal life. One of his chicks broke a leg high up and I had to set it for him. That bird also recovered and although the leg sat a little funny, the bird acts fine.

Hopefully no infection sets in. If it was older I would give it antibiotics, but I don't know how you would give it to a chick. Also, when it fledged, provide a flat shelf he can land on to be able to rest his leg.

[Jen]

I have two rescue finches that came from PetsMart. One is a Spice finch named "Ziggy", who lost her leg at the hip. She is sitting on a nest of eggs as we speak! My other finch is a female zebra, "Peg-ee",also on a nest of hatched babies! Unlike Ziggy, Peg-ee lost her leg above the toes and has a little nub on that side. Actually, she struggled with balance more than Ziggy, who didn't have but one leg.

My point is, if your baby can avoid infection, he/she can thrive! They actually can become quite strong. If Ziggy gets out of her cage, she is the fastest flier...and hardest to catch!!!

Best of luck and let us know how she progresses.

[KarenB]

And then there's Annie, and you all know that story. She just fledged and weaned three chicks, and those chicks are now going through their first molt.

Yes, as long as infection doesn't set in and become an issue, he will do just fine

At this point to get antibiotics into him, you could crop feed it, otherwise you'll be putting it into the food that gets fed to all by the parents. That's not good, either, especially when the others don't need it. Plus, he/they may be too young to handle it.

[Sheather]

I'm happy to hear h/she seems to have a good chance of adapting. Hopefully our aviary set-up will be okay for him/her to get around in. So long as his wings work, I think, he should be able to manage.

We've called the little bird 'Dancer' - if only a little ironically, given how she's probably going to walk, hopping on one leg. Dancer is undoubtedly going to be staying with us, as I wouldn't trust her into anyone else's care and in all honesty it's not likely manyu people would want her with her injury. She seems to be pulling through - the foot appears entirely dead today and presumably the nerves are too - it has blackened and dried. How long will it likely take to come off? I'm hoping before she starts to fly.

She is still begging and eating and growing, her pin feathers beginning to pop into fluff and becoming increasingly aware of the world around her. She is the second oldest of the chicks at two weeks now and along with her 15 day old brother, Floyd, really dominates the 'table' at feeding time from mom, dad, auntie, and big brother. Luckily, four parents feeding four babies (we have four nests with chicks all around the same age right now) means everyone gets a share in the end.

Funny how you just seem to get a vibe for one gender or another with these babies and unintentionally start using 'him' or 'her'. Just a human tendency I guess, I won't be able to sex them for another month and a half or so when the males will start singing.

[MiaCarter]

Aw, poor little guy! That's really awful luck.

Is there any break in the skin? If so, I'd really consider antibiotics as these little ones have such a weak immune system.

Beyond the immediate health concerns, I wouldn't be too worried for him. He'll adapt nicely; it's all he'll ever know so he won't realize that he's different. It will just be how life is for him.

I'd make sure he has some flat areas, like shelves/platforms/flat surfaces/wide perches, in addition to typical perches. This should help him as he's strengthening his muscles and learning how to balance.

I've had one-legged birds (and even a no-legged bird) and they adapt like you wouldn't believe. (Plus, they don't have the mental struggle that humans have.)

He's very cute!

[MiaCarter]

Just saw your update above after I posted. That's great news that she's continuing to do well!

I'm glad you're keeping her.
I would too.

As for how long it will take to fall off -- anywhere from 1-2 weeks, based on anecdotal evidence from stories posted here.
The nerves should be dead by now, so she shouldn't feel much pain.