Oh no!

[Strawblady2000]

I think I killed one of my gouldian babies!!!

It just fledged yesterday (1 of 5 chicks). I opened the cage door to fill the mineral cup and it flew right out, across the room and smack into the window at full speed. It fell right to the floor and just lay there.

Ii picked it up and it was still conscious, held it for a minute or 2 and put it in the nest to get his wits back. At first, I dont think he even knew which way was up.

I cant tell if he is seriously injured or note. I guess only time will tell. His feet were clentched up with 1 leg extended. But he could still move his toes. He couldnt perch as of a few minutes ago...but I'm going to check on him an another few minutes.

I know that if he broke his neck or had major internal injuries, he would die pretty quickly. I really pray that it just knocked the wind out of him.

At this point, I dont think there is anything I can do for him. He's not weaned, so I cant separate him to monitor him. I guess I just have to wait and watch. If he isnt going to make it, then I should know something soon.

Thanks for being here to listen. I feel horrible. Normally I leave the curtains shut for this reason (they are just thin sheer curtains)...but today is cloudy and gloomy, so I thought I'd open them. I never do this...but today I did.

<sigh>

Nikki

[Waxbillman]

hello Nikki

sorry to hear that, sadly these things happen and its not your fault.

i would hope that its just got bad concusion, put a warm light near it and stay well back and fingers crossed, prevent it from becoming stressed

Matthew

[Strawblady2000]

Thanks Matthew.

I just checked on him. 30 minutes after injury, he seems to be better. Still in the nest, but he's sitting up like his siblings.

I havent had a seriously injured finch yet...would I know if he broke something like a hip? His body shape isnt distorted or fluffed out. Wings arent drooped. No blood. Both legs appear to be working, but waiting to see if he can perch.

His legs seem to have gone back right and toes arent clentched up anymore.

Will check on him before bed (about 5 more hours), but will leave him be for now and keep fingers crossed.

I guess I wont breathe a sigh of relief until he eats and either perches on the nest edge or comes out again. But...with his bad expereince, who can blame him for staying in he nest!!



Thanks again.
:(

[Waxbillman]

no problem

sounds like he/she might be fine then, just abit just, fingers crossed then

Matthew

[kenny]

hi nikki
like matt says it seems as if the wind was knocked out of him and he may have just been concussed,if there is no limb damage or blood and it is sitting up ok (if they have damage to the head they tend to sit lop sided) it should be fine next time you put your hand in the cage put your other hand over the door so that if it darts out again he will hit your hand and nothing solid

ken;-)

[Strawblady2000]

Thanks Kenny!

I just checked on him (or her, lol) again and if it is the same one (they all look alike) then it has come out and perched. If it is a different one, all looks okay in the nest.

I cant get the sound of the thud out of my mind! Once he hit the window, he fell about 6 ft to the carpet. When he came to his head was a little lopped to the left, but seems okay now. He really got the peewaddin' knocked out of him.

Their cage has a larger door (about 12 inches wide and 2 small doors. I had the large door open, as their mineral cup hangs a bit high. I had no idea the little guy could even fly well yet, as he fledged yesterday. Talk about baptism by fire.

Thanks for all of your support. I felt like such a hind end.

Nikki

[laurab]

Hi Nikki

I have been following this thread with bated breath, I couldn't respond until I knew all was well....what help am I!!!! :shock:

Good job you didn't have a dog nearby with mouth agape like I did once :sad:

So glad all appears to be well; please give us a further update tomorrow ;)

[Strawblady2000]

Thank you Laura...just knowing there are pepople out there to talk to about what happened is most comforting!

I cant imagine what you must have felt with the dog gobbling up your bird!!!

We have 3 dogs that are HUGE (about 140-150 lbs each- 2 bloodhounds and an Alaskan Malamute) and an Australian Cattle dog. Thankfully, they arent allowed inside.
The only true hunter is the malamute...who will hunt down deer on our property if allowed to, lol. But, she's the biggest cuddler I've seen, although she wieghs more than me!

Anyhow...

Good news...

I think all is okay. 4 of 5 chicks were out of the nest this morning!!! They are now 24 days old. 1 straggler in the nest, but he's growing the courage to come out. Hard to tell them apart in this clutch, as they are identical, unlike the last clutch, where the heads were a little different.

Ahhh...relief. Lessons learned, that's for sure. My new cages should be here today. I found a great deal online...four 30x18x18 breeder cages with dividers, breeder doors, cups, perches...$65 through a wholesaler in Tennessee. I had to buy the whole case of 4, now I have room!!!!!

ANyways, thanks everyone for letting me freak out on here yesterday, lol...and thanks for your concern.

Nikki

[kenny]

hi laura
thanks for bringing that fond memory of a dog killing your bird as it also brings a lump to my throat and my terriers throat aswell namely a zebra finch!:p /nikki thats what we are here for we take the good with the bad we have all been in the same situation at one time or another...........there is also nothing like the sound of a quail hiting its head on the ceiling of your indoor aviary when it dosent like being disturbed

ken:shock: