SusanS BSNCCRN
Moving in
Hello All!
I have just adopted a Eurasian Jay that has one clubbed foot, and a lazy foot. Both require special exercises and splinting though, more splinting on the worse affected, obviously.
With a long history of working with Psittacines, I gladly adopted this brainiac of the wild bird world! I believe the intelligence of birds is enough to adapt to most minor inconveniences, but given that this little guy was pushed out of the nest, and was left unattended for 8 hours, (I sat back to observe, and read my book, while maintaining a good distance to ensure the parents were not caring for it.),I decided to take him home, and see what I could do to help him overcome his challenges.
He has been with me for 4 days now, and I have given him splints on alternating sides each day, while spending several hours a day, of unsplinted time, giving him various exercises for feet, and of course, wings.
He is thriving thus far!
After his initial check for parasites, I provide him with opportunities to bathe - a natural behavior he must learn, and although I offer a granulated food mix, (hardboiled egg, minced fruit, bread crumbs, combine with unsweetened fruit juice), in the event he will attempt self-feeding, he is not quite weaned, but anxiously opens his beak for feeding at the correct interval for his age. *between 3 and 6 hours depending on activity level, and he is just fine overnight.
Taking in a Special Needs bird is right up my alley! I hope to acclimate him to the back garden, when he is more independent, and can sustain short flight, where he will be safe from predators, and can fly into the window for shelter/ and 'or feeding when necessary.
Alway a bird lover, I'm happy to find this community, and see that there are others with special birds!
I have just adopted a Eurasian Jay that has one clubbed foot, and a lazy foot. Both require special exercises and splinting though, more splinting on the worse affected, obviously.
With a long history of working with Psittacines, I gladly adopted this brainiac of the wild bird world! I believe the intelligence of birds is enough to adapt to most minor inconveniences, but given that this little guy was pushed out of the nest, and was left unattended for 8 hours, (I sat back to observe, and read my book, while maintaining a good distance to ensure the parents were not caring for it.),I decided to take him home, and see what I could do to help him overcome his challenges.
He has been with me for 4 days now, and I have given him splints on alternating sides each day, while spending several hours a day, of unsplinted time, giving him various exercises for feet, and of course, wings.
He is thriving thus far!
After his initial check for parasites, I provide him with opportunities to bathe - a natural behavior he must learn, and although I offer a granulated food mix, (hardboiled egg, minced fruit, bread crumbs, combine with unsweetened fruit juice), in the event he will attempt self-feeding, he is not quite weaned, but anxiously opens his beak for feeding at the correct interval for his age. *between 3 and 6 hours depending on activity level, and he is just fine overnight.
Taking in a Special Needs bird is right up my alley! I hope to acclimate him to the back garden, when he is more independent, and can sustain short flight, where he will be safe from predators, and can fly into the window for shelter/ and 'or feeding when necessary.
Alway a bird lover, I'm happy to find this community, and see that there are others with special birds!