Broken toe :(

mike · Post by **mike** » Mon May 11, 2009 9:19 am

Aww, my little male blue-breasted cordon bleu broke his toe.
I did a quick inspection of the cages this morning on my way out and the little male was flapping around and seemed stuck to the cage bars. I went over to him and saw his foot caught in the cage door so I lifted it and released him. He immediately sat on the floor of the cage but soon flew to a perch but only used one foot. I looked at his toe and it was crooked. I caught him and did an inspection to see if the leg was broken but it wasn’t. It looks like he was trying to twist off his toe, though. It looks knobbly.
Anyway since the leg looks okay I know I shouldn’t be worried and I’m not, really. I just feel really bad, and a little guilty. He should be in a bigger cage. He flies around a lot and seems to need more space.
Thanks for listening.

lovemyfinch · Post by **lovemyfinch** » Mon May 11, 2009 9:24 am

So sorry to hear this Mike

, I hope he will be fine.

Post by **Sally** » Mon May 11, 2009 9:25 am

If you start looking around, you will see that many finches are missing toes. It is so easy for them to get caught in wire, or in wicker nests, whatever. I recently found one of my Swees in the same situation, but seems to be OK. At least you found him fairly soon--this is how they break legs sometimes, because they fight so hard to get free. One of the hazards of keeping them in cages.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Mon May 11, 2009 9:49 am

I'm sorry to hear about your finch, Mike - he should be okay shortly.

I too have acquired finches with toes missing and they do fine.

mike · Post by **mike** » Mon May 11, 2009 11:26 am

It's all good. It's more about the guilt than anything else, and the worry of what would have happened if i didn't make that last minute decision to check the cages before heading out. I'd make a couple 60" cages but I can't find cage fronts around here. Liz, any insight?

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Mon May 11, 2009 1:19 pm

If you are looking to put the bars of a cage on the front - I can't help you, but you can also use 'hardware cloth' available at Home Depot and such places. My daughter made two beautiful aviaries using hardward cloth on the top and upper front sections. It is strong enough to put doors into or feeding stations; or as my daughter did - you can use plexiglass for the doors and sides (to help keep the mess inside). She also built storage cabinets underneath.

mike · Post by **mike** » Mon May 11, 2009 5:28 pm

I will look into that and maybe give it a try! I don't really have room in the house for large cages without the cats having access but I'll think of something.

The bird flies around and lands with his feet relatively straight so he should be okay. He still favours that one foot but once it heals everything will be fine (if a little crooked).