Tough Question (Putting an animal down)

[Chickerdoodle13]

I am currently raising four birds that fell from their nest. Two were fledglings, but fell into an area where they probably would have been killed during the weekend (Goat show at our fairgrounds). Those two are doing wonderfully and I plan to start releasing them during next week. Those two are starlings.

However, the other two were found in a creek and were a bit younger. They look like some kind of warbler. One of them is doing fine, but the other is not using his legs. He sorts of sits on the back part of his heel and wobbles around. I'm getting worried that I will not be able to release this bird and that I will have to put him down. The other one walks around fine and will be ready for release in another week or two. I'll give the other one time, but how can I put him down? I know the best way is to cut off the head, but honestly I will have a hard time with this. (Although, I could probably do it if I had to) Is there any way I could knock him out before I decapitate, short of hitting him on the head?

I'm sort of hoping he dies on his own, but I know birds like this are really fighters. I would consider calling an animal rescue, but there just aren't any around here that would accept baby birds like this. Most only accept mammals. I've tried so hard to raise these guys so they are not bonded to me so I can later release them and I'm crushed that I may have to put this one down!

 

[b.hromada]

Do you have a wildlife care center near you? You could drop him off there. They have people who specialize in hurt animals. This way, you won't have to "cut off his head".

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

We have wildlife centers by us, but they specialize in mammals. It seems every time I call them, there is almost a waiting list for animals to be brought there. I know this is because they just don't have enough volunteers to take in all the animals that are brought to them.

I do have a friend who does exotic bird rescue, so I will probably give her a call before I decide to do anything. I will give him another few weeks to see how he comes along. Otherwise, my "bird" friend may know a vet that will put him down for me.

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

If push comes to shove and you have to handle this yourself.....

Do you have a can of Dustoff or CRC Duster--the stuff you use to clean your keyboard and cpu with?

Place the warbler in a very small plastic bag with a ziplock--snack size is best. Zip the bag shut, forcing out as much air as possible. Then open the zipper just enough to place the sprayer nozzle into the bag and spray a few good long sprays (the bag will fog up with the stuff) and quickly rezip the bag.

The baby bird will take 2-3 breaths and be gone.

Hopefully it won't come to that but if it does, this is the fastest and least painful way I have found to put down a baby bird.

HTH

Rusty

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Thank you so much rusty. I'm pretty sure I do have that, but I'm sure it will not be a problem to get it.

The baby perches somewhat, but just doesn't extend his legs all the way. I do know that I came home one day and he was very cold and I had to warm him up in my hands. I don't know if this could have caused some damage to him. For some reason, the other baby was fine, but this one just had a hard time staying warm on its own. I had to find a way to keep the tank so that the area they are in is more like a nest and they are forced to cuddle to keep warm.

Luckily all four of the babies do not like being handled and although they will come to me for food, they try to fly away when I need to hold them. I don't think they will have any problem adjusting to "free" life! The two older starlings are beginning to fly and eat on their own. Another few days and I can put them in a cage outside. This is my first time ever raising birds for release. In the past I always kept them! However, this is my junior year in college and I know I would get in trouble bringing a starling with me to school!