Injured Pigeon - need advice

mad bird · #1 (**permalink**) 31-08-2009, 04:58 PM

I found an injured pigeon 2 days ago, it is an adult & it was just flapping around on the floor, some of its wing & tail feathers missing or damaged & its chest very bony, bald with skin damage (which is dry & healing). It is very bright & alert though & dispite the damage the wings are very strong it just cant seem to fly. I got it in my shed in a dog crate with a makeshift perch which it sits on & I,v been feeding it wild bird seed, dont really want to take it to vets for fear they will PTS. How long does it take for the flight & tail feathers to grow back?

natureguy · #2 (**permalink**) 31-08-2009, 05:37 PM

Hiya, do you know if there are any specialist bird hospitals in your area, this is probably your best option if theres one available. Maybe have a check on google, what area are you in?. It usually takes about 6 weeks for feathers to grow back so you may not be able to look after it properly for that long.

Keep us updated

Lance Morgan · #3 (**permalink**) 31-08-2009, 05:55 PM

Sounds like a squab
put it outside where parents can feed it. Otherwise let nature take its course.

heliart · #4 (**permalink**) 31-08-2009, 07:39 PM

"Otherwise let nature take its course." - You must be bl00dy well joking.

Anyhow,

I've been in this position before. RSPCA are next to useless with pigeons.
Your best bet is to find a local animal charity - locally here in Wiltshire I took an injured pigeon to our local centre, and they were really very good with it.
I've since donated some spare dog crates I've had to them, as I've seen first hand the good work they do.

Hope this helps.

mad bird · #5 (**permalink**) 31-08-2009, 08:45 PM

Thanx all for advice,
its definitely not a squab its an adult & I dont think it would last long if i put it out to let nature take its course!! I am a member of a local animal rescue group but we dont usually deal with wild birds. I live near Merthyr Tydfil not sure if there are any specialists in my area but I will google to find out. I would like to return him to where I found him once his feathers come back. I think he damaged the skin on his chest from rubbing accross the floor cause he couldnt fly. I found him in some woodland quite close to where I live but not near any houses (so no cats about) so he could have been flapping around the ground for days, its not an area where many people go. If it takes 6 weeks for the flight feathers to grow back at least I know now how long I could have him for Its not really a problem I'll just rest him for now & feed him up & see how it goes!

Thanx
Jan

natureguy · #6 (**permalink**) 31-08-2009, 08:51 PM

Hiya try the gower bird hospital, it may be a bit far but if you cant take it then the RSPCA should collect and take it down there for you. But let the hospital know its coming before you try the rspca, they may tell you its too far but I dont know. They (rspcs) collected a Seagull from me in Port Talbot a few months back and took it down there so its definately worth a try.

mad bird · #7 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009, 08:55 PM

Cheers might give them a call - I wouldnt trust RSPCA though!!

Ian_Daniells · #8 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009, 11:53 PM

Hi

Your local vet should also know any local wildlife centres or specialists in the area. If the bird has been cut anywhere then a vet should also see it in case it needs a shot of antibiotic. As long as it is eating and drinking then keep it quiet and warm and it should start to recover. Please be aware though that wild birds have a tendancy to appear well on the way to recovery and then keel over dead just when you think all is well.

If you need any information on care and rehab then the British Wildlife Helpline is a great site for information on feeding etc.

British Wildlife Helpline

There is also the South Wales Animal Rescue Centre at Swansea

South Wales Animal Rescue. Re-homing abandoned rabbits and other pets.

Best of Luck

Ian

mad bird · #9 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 10:17 AM

Thanx 4 the info

''Please be aware though that wild birds have a tendancy to appear well on the way to recovery and then keel over dead just when you think all is well.''

Hope not!!

valleyforge · #10 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mad bird

''Please be aware though that wild birds have a tendancy to appear well on the way to recovery and then keel over dead just when you think all is well.''

Hope not!!

More often than not, any bird that has been 'catted' ... that is injured by a cat ... even if the injuries appear superficial, can die suddenly due to septicaemia (blood poisoning) brought on by bacterial infection of a puncture wound.

The teeth and saliva of a cat (and some other mammalian predators) invariably harbour the pasteurella bacterium, so generally the earlier an antibiotic injection can be administered by a vet, the better the bird's chances of survival.

Any bird which survives for 48hrs after a cat attack is probably going to be OK however, as most will succumb to any infection well within that time period.

Looks like yours has already survived well past that 'deadline', so here's hoping it will continue to make a good recovery.