FOUND ANOTHER GROUNDED YOUNG ONE THISMORNING

Found another very young bird approx. 6 wks old/fully fledged terribly undernourished thismorning. Fluffed up, unable to fly, just walked over and picked him/her up. Bird is starving........keel bone is so very prominent.........green slimey poops stuck to the vent.

Brought the bird inside, cleaned the vent area, placed in laundry basket on towell on top of heating pad. Have hydrated the bird with warm ACV water and now will give 10CC's Kaytee. This little one needs help to gain it's strength back. The mouth and throat are clear and there are no other apparent injuries............just total weakness from lack of food.

I fell the reason I have been finding these. young birds lately is because of our climate here. These are late hatchings.......possibly late October when the temperature here was still 80F. In the past week the weather has turned colder and goes down into the low 40'sF at night. These little ones now fledged and without parents feeding them have to compete with the approximately 100 other feral birds that feed in the backyard. It is a feeding frenzy here everymorning and these little ones get trampled upon and do not get their fair share of the seed. Consequently, as the days pass these little ones loose weight and strength very rapidly.

Hopefully, if I can get some weight back on this bird and give it time to regain it's strength I will be able to release him/her back into the flock.

Louise I'm so glad you found this baby I have complete faith that you can help him/her get up and flying again, I also believe that this happens to you for a reason and thats because you are the pigeon angel to all who need help.

Hi Louise,
It looks like your wings are in motion once again. Bless you for helping this little guy.
Your initial steps in caring for him were right on.
Just a thought, you might alternate the acv water with some rehydrating (electrolyte) solution (to a cup of room temperature water add a pinch each of salt and sugar).

Please keep us posted on how things are coming along.

The new little one made it through the night and seems more alert thismorning. However this little bird is so weak. Still looking fluffed up when left alone. He/She is eating seed on it's own, but I am going to supplement with some Kaytee hand feedings. I am also syringe giving ACV water.

I tried putting this new baby in with the baby with the missing eye. They seem about the same age..........have almost identical feather patterns.........could even possibly be nest mates. It would have been ideal if the two could have recovered together. The new baby went hysterical............started flapping it's little wings......squeaking like crazy.......and started pecking at the other baby as if it were a parent looking to be fed. I can't take a chance with the other baby...........he has a blind side now and I can not risk him getting poked/pecked in the open eye socket. So they will stay apart for now.

It's like springtime baby bird season around here. These little late hatchlings are having a hard time with the weather changing, and having to compete with all the older ferals. I'm glad I found these two..........I don't think either would have made it on their own.

Louise...does the baby's poop smell?

Charis..............No smell whatsoever. Actually the poops look improved today. No more green.....mostly brown......with lots of urates.......normal considering the Kaytee and the supplemental ACV water.

I forgot to add the Poly-Aid.......but will do so at the next handfeeding. It worked wonders for the other little one. All sorts of great stuff in it. It's from that Australian Co.


Vetafarm Poly-Aid Plus 80 g
[B0050] $20.75



Click to enlarge

Directions
Add 5mL of fresh water to 10g of Poly-Aid Plus and make into a slurry. Make up fresh as required and discard unused solution. All avian species: Give 10g per 100g bodyweight per day in two divided doses, by crop needle or spoon. Other species: give to effect. Large level measure enclosed holds 12g.

Poly-Aid Plus remains the First Aid In A Bottle for birds. All sick birds should be given a dose of Poly-Aid Plus as they go into the hospital cage. Poly-Aid Plus provides a high energy, high protein supplement that is readily absorbed and utilised. This allows the birds to fight the disease or trauma that put them in the hospital cage initially. Poly-Aid Plus does not cure disease - it simply gives the birds some energy to fight for themselves. Poly-Aid Plus is also very beneficial in Ostriches during the first 3 weeks of life.

When mixing Poly-Aid Plus, add very small quantities of water to the desired amount of powder and mix well - continue to add drops of water until the mix is a thick custard consistency. Add to the feeding syringe by removing the plunger and spooning into the back of the barrel.

Ingredients
Vitamin A, Vitamin D3 dl-Alpha-Tocopherol Acetate, Menadione di-Methyl Pyrimidinol Bisulfite, Nicotinic Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Cyanocobalamin, Folic Acid, Choline Bitartrate, Biotin, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Sulphate, Calcium Gluconate, Albumen, Starch (Maize), and Probotic.

Guaranteed Analysis
Retinol Acetate (Vitamin A) 200 i/u
Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) 25 i/u
dl-Alpha-Tocopherol Acetate 0.5mg/10g
Menadione di-Methyl Pyrimidinol Bisulfite 0.2mg/10g
Nicotinic Acid 1.0mg/10g
Calcium Pantothenate 0.248mg/10g
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)0.24mg/10g
Thiamine Hydrochloride 0.094mg/10g
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride 0.08mg/10g
Cyanocobalamin 0.001mg/10g
Folic Acid 0.045mg/10g
Choline Bitartrate 8.0mg/10g
Biotin 0.002mg/10g
Sodium Chloride 110.2mg/10
Potassium Chloride 76.8mg/10g
Magnesium Sulphate 45.0mg/10g
Calcium Gluconate 58.0mg/10g
Albumen 2g/10g
Starch - Maize (hydrolysed)7.5g/10g
and Probotic 0.1g/10g

Poly Aid looks like it has a lot of good stuff in it.

I am concerned about this baby.

This morning baby had vomited last nights feeding along with some seeds. Is still puffed up most of the time. I have now treated with Flagyl for canker and fed her only baby applesauce today. She kept down the applesauce during the day. This baby just doesn't look right to me. Although the crop is completely empty it appears to look swolen at the botton part..........maybe air........I am not sure Thisevening I hand fed her 25 defrosted pease, followed by 5cc's of the applesauce. So far she has kept it down.

I have moved her into my bedroom so I can keep an eye on her tonight. If there is no change by morning she will be going to Dr. Hauck tomorrow at the first available appointment I can get.

Louise

Can you feel the food in the crop after you feed her?

I just felt it now..........obviously since it is just peas and applesauce it just feels like mush in the crop. But it is obvious that there is something in there now compared to before she was fed and it was completely empty, but appeared swolen.

Yes...I think trip to the vet is the best thing.

Jackie\'s Mom wrote:

I tried putting this new baby in with the baby with the missing eye.

They seem about the same age..........have almost identical feather patterns.........could even possibly be nest mates. It would have been ideal if the two could have recovered together. The new baby went hysterical............started flapping it's little wings......squeaking like crazy.......and started pecking at the other baby as if it were a parent looking to be fed.
I can't take a chance with the other baby...........he has a blind side now and I can not risk him getting poked/pecked in the open eye socket. So they will stay apart for now.

Hi Louise,
My goodness, it is like baby bird season in your area.

In addition to the blind sided pij not being able to properly defend himself, he could also pick up something from the new pij (in the event something is going on), so keeping them separated is a good idea.

Baby held down all it's food from last evening (no vomiting). The crop is completely empty thismorning. Doesn't look swolen. Believe it or not...... the poops look completely normal. Totally formed dark green/brown with urates. Baby has alot more energy thismorning......... attempted to fly from the kitchen counter back to it's basket. Seems much more alert and aware of it's surroundings. The only thing that hasn't changed is that when left alone is still sitting all puffed up.

Question.............Baby seems very hungery thismorning.........should I stick to the peas and baby applesauce?..........or...........should I try giving some Kaytee formula thismorning? This baby needs some protien........is severly underweight........What do you think would be best to feed thismorning?

I am going to give second treatment of Flagyl after feeding today.

All responses/opinions appreciated.

Louise

I'm going to clean cages........feed and water the other 4 birds......be back on line in a little while..........Oh........have to feed my feral flock as well........

Great update, Louise.

Since the little guy is doing so well this morning, what do you think about introducing him to some seeds, in addition to supplement feeding? He's definitely old enough to be eating them.

I'm on my way out to start cleaning as well.
Pij'ette, Sadie, Sam and Dumpling are ALL laying eggs.
Needless to say, there is a lot of cleaning to be done.

There is plenty of protein in the peas. I would let him eat as many of the peas as he wants. Introduce defrosted corn this afternoon if there still has been no vomiting. If there is still no vomiting by this evening, I would offer seed and see if he will eat them on his own. At least that's what I would do.

Thanks..................Ok, I'm going to hand feed the defrosed peas........then a little more applesauce........then the Flagyl.

I'm going to hold off on the visit to the Vet...........Dr. Hauck is great for general examinations, giving meds...........surgery when needed.......but........they don't have the facilities to do the diagonistic stuff..........no fecals or crop cultures........that has to be sent out......and then it costs $$$$$$. Will wait to see how the bird does today. I don't think the bird is in any immediate danger..........Actually seems much better thismorning.

Will update later.

This little one is coming along beautifully. Has held down it's hand feedings (no more vomiting).........poops look great. Is quite active and very alert. Is preening himself.

I introduced seed thismorning and the little one ate like he had been starved.........just couldn't get enough..........took a really good drink of water also.

Today is the third dose of Flagyl and I will give 2 more doses. Do you think a 5 day treatment for a bird this age is sufficient????

I still have one concern.........as soon as this baby is placed back into it's basket it immediately goes back into a fluffed up state. I know this is an indication of something else going on...........but I can't figure this out.........bird seems otherwise very healthy and active. Needs to put on some weight, but otherwise is doing great.

I've asked Charis to post some pictures for me. Try as I may..........I just can't seem to figure out how to upload pictures to this site.............DUH/.


Louise

Jackie\'s Mom wrote:

* This little one is coming along beautifully. Has held down it's hand feedings (no more vomiting).........poops look great. Is quite active and very alert. Is preening himself.

I introduced seed thismorning and the little one ate like he had been starved.........just couldn't get enough..........took a really good drink of water also.

** I still have one concern.........as soon as this baby is placed back into it's basket it immediately goes back into a fluffed up state
I know this is an indication of something else going on...........but I can't figure this out.........bird seems otherwise very healthy and active. Needs to put on some weight, but otherwise is doing great.

I've asked Charis to post some pictures for me. Try as I may..........I just can't seem to figure out how to upload pictures to this site.............DUH/.


Louise

* Great news, Louise.

** It might be that he is a little cool. Supplement heat may help.
I don't think a heating pad would do so well in the basket as he wouldn't be able to move off of it if he so desires.
An old sock filled about 2/3's full of rice and warmed slightly in the microwave and placed in the basket is an option.
Of course this is just a thought.

How's the baby doing today, Louise?

Baby Noel is doing great...........eating like a little pig...............very active today...........not as much standing all fluffed up.......but still fluffs up when sitting down to rest. She is such a little sweeheart, loves to be out of the basket and exploring. So friendly and lovable. Poops are looking good as well.

Thanks for asking.

Louse

That's wonderful news. I think treating her for canker was a wise choice.

I'm glad to hear Noel is doing well, Louise.
Best wishes to you both.

What a difference a week has made.

Looking back to last Sunday when I found little Noel grounded in the back yard, I think she was on the brink of death. I don't think I realized how bad she was until now that I see the beautiful healty little bird she has become.

There is no more being fluffed up...........no more vomiting..........she is eating and drinking beautifully.........still needs to put on some weight.......that will come with time.

She is sooooooooooo sweet, will stay on my shoulder preening as long as I let her. Is flying a bit.......but just back onto my shoulder or back to her little basket. This little one is so tame and loveable.......... I can't help myself ..........I am getting so attached. Looks like this one will be another permanent house pet pij. Really don't think I can part with this one.

Louise