Peahen hurt her feet

KsKingBee said:

Up here where it gets down to zero at times, we like to use a 2x4 flat so the belly feathers will cover the ends of the toes to keep them from getting frost bit.

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Makes total sense and a good idea. Im blessed to be in Texas when it comes to peas. .

Gerald Barker

I also have two with the same condition... Not sure what causes it, but to get them to heal, I wrap them.

-Kathy

Thank you all for the replies.

You are right. My roost perch is just 4cm x 8cm (1.5748 inch x 3.14 inch). I measured it over the weekend. Their feet don't go all the way around it but they can only hold 50% of their foot on it. I got some new wood during the weekend and I will set it up as soon as I have the time. I am not sure what to do about the "smoothness" as the wood is store brought and it's already polished and no branch like texture.

I am posting to let you know the status of the wounds and what I did to make them better:
1. Bandage them - the bandage I used was just to make them not see the blood and the dried blood . I noticed brown (human) skin like elastic bandages were the only ones they were not pecking at (transparent ones were gone in a few minutes and white ones were similar). I bandaged them 2 times a day and I made sure they never came off.
2. For the peahen that had both her feet injured I was putting her down on the ground for treats and food in the morning at noon and in the evening - I did't want her to fly down herself. Her wounds are almost gone.
3. Put cardboard on the ground instead of the linoleum. It would make landing easier until I get enough hay to put on the ground.
3. I took them in my greenhouse when the temperature was around 10 degrees Celsius. They scratched at the ground for hours and I hope their nails have been blunted a bit.

Will keep you updated on the status of their wounds maybe someone can use this info in the future.

You can also use "liquid bandage" its easily obtained at your local drugstore or walmart. Most wood you are going to buy will be soft enough that smoothness shouldn't be a problem. I use a 2 x 4 on end and over that cedar deck railing:

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Always keep in mind that a bird needs about 3x the height of its roost to be able to land safely. If you can, your birds could spend most days in the greenhouse. With their night pen at 50°you could have them in the greenhouse whenever its above freezing in there with no problems. In the winter too much humidity is much more of a problem, it leads to frostbite and respiratory problems. Your birds look great. Good luck.