Caring for Handicapped Birds

[Maggie-NC]

It was suggested by several members that a thread be started dealing exclusively with caring for handicapped pigeons. This can include pigeons that are blind, amputees of either a wing or leg, crippled, etc. Hopefully, any member that has a handicapped pigeon will contribute to this thread and share their experiences and tips on how to care for these special little guys.

Being handicapped, no matter how severely, should not mean a death sentence. Handicapped pigeons can live a pretty productive life if their caretaker is willing to help them.

I need to say that federal law prohibits anyone from keeping a migratory bird that cannot be returned to the wild. This DOES NOT include pigeons.

We have had two pigeons that fall in the handicapped category and need special care.

SILVER: a feral who fell from a high bridge, breaking one leg at the body. He was taken to the vet and, although they tried to save some of the leg, wound up amputating it. If a pigeon can be left with even a "nub", it helps them move around better.

Silver was a tiny squab and did very well when he was small. He was even able to fly some. However, as he grew older and gained more and more weight, he could no longer lift off to fly. Even walking was impossible. He would propel himself with the one leg and his wings. We tried many things with Silver. We put him the aviary and made a box that he could go in but he was continually beating his wings so badly that they bled. One morning we found him nearly dead from blood loss because he had beaten against the side of the aviary. We brought him inside the house and tried him in a large plastic box and various cages. Again, he would beat the sides so much his wings would bleed.

Finally, we purchased a small cat bed. It was soft and had sides all around. We put clean cloths in each day, and loosely placed his seed/food at one end. We took him out numerous times each day to give him water. He was placed on the hearth in the family room and adjusted to this environment wonderfully. Lewis would take him out each night and hold him in his lap and they would go to sleep together. Silver had an additional problem with tumors all over his stomach. The vet removed several but they kept coming back. We were picking him up one afternoon to take him outside to sit in the grass when he convulsed and died. The vet believes the cancer finally killed him.

MR. HUMPHRIES: a feral who fell from a canopy at Home Depot. The fall broken several bones in both legs and even after numerous attempts by three vets, the legs could never be set correctly. This left him in a semi-crouch, being able to raise up only about 2 inches. Both legs are somewhat deformed.

We keep Mr. H in a regular cage but put bubble wrap on the bottom, then fresh newspaper and paper towels on top of that. The wrap provides a soft cushion which helps the knee part of his legs keep from getting sores. His legs and stomach are checked regularly and we apply pure aloe vera to his legs fairly often. I use a fairly shallow water dish, about 2 inches high, filled to the brim and he can reach that. I use a triangular shaped makeup sponge to hold his seed bowl in place so it can be at an angle and is easier for him to reach. He has a nest that we make using cartons that hold 24 canned drinks, cut in the middle, put together with tape, and filled with wood chips and either a cloth or paper towel on top. He is able to hop in and out easily.

He is able to go into the aviary each day unless it is very cold but is brought in each night to keep him from being too tired plus he cannot reach the water containers. He is able to jump in the bath water and loves it. He flies very, very well and seeks a spot on one of the limb perches that has a dip in it. He fits his body in the dip and dares the others to mess with him.

These little guys are very precious. Sure, they take a little extra care but they are alive and appear to be happy.