I spotted a zebra finch chick on my aviary floor - he left the nest about one week too early. When I picked him up I noticed his legs were sticking out either side of him.. I thought maybe it was because he was still growing and did not yet know how to 'walk'. I put him back in the nest with the other chicks. The next day he was out again. I put him back in.
Everything was OK, all the chicks flew the nest about one week later - and so did he. But I found him half dead in the bird bath. I could not understand why he had not got out - its only a very shallow tray. I picked him out and he was nearly dead - eyes closed and weak and cold. I warmed him up and the next morning he was alert again and mum and dad feeding him. I noticed he was still on the floor and could not get onto the perches like the other chicks.
I got him out to have a close look. It seem he can not use one leg at all - he can also not use both feet - they are clenched tight shut. Both legs stick out either side of him, and one leg sometimes drags behind him.
I can't find any breaks, and the legs look the normal colour and thickness. No swelling anywhere.
I would have put him to sleep, but he seems so happy and fit! He is calling and lively - he is fat and bright eyed and alert.
Is there anything I can do to help him get about more easily? He can get food and water as they are on the aviary floor in shallow pans. He can fly, but cant grab onto anything so falls back to the floor.
Everything was OK, all the chicks flew the nest about one week later - and so did he. But I found him half dead in the bird bath. I could not understand why he had not got out - its only a very shallow tray. I picked him out and he was nearly dead - eyes closed and weak and cold. I warmed him up and the next morning he was alert again and mum and dad feeding him. I noticed he was still on the floor and could not get onto the perches like the other chicks.
I got him out to have a close look. It seem he can not use one leg at all - he can also not use both feet - they are clenched tight shut. Both legs stick out either side of him, and one leg sometimes drags behind him.
I can't find any breaks, and the legs look the normal colour and thickness. No swelling anywhere.
I would have put him to sleep, but he seems so happy and fit! He is calling and lively - he is fat and bright eyed and alert.
Is there anything I can do to help him get about more easily? He can get food and water as they are on the aviary floor in shallow pans. He can fly, but cant grab onto anything so falls back to the floor.
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