Going Home with a Wing Injury, What You Need to Know
Special
precautions should be taken to reduce that chance of further
injury.
The bird should not be returned to a cage or enclosure which
provides climbing surfaces. A
bird that had been flying may not realize it can no longer fly and
leap from a high position causing further injury.
An aquarium or terrarium tank is a safer environment. The
bird can’t climb the smooth sides, you can watch the bird, and
the bird can see out. The
tank should have a screened top so the bird has air but can’t
escape. The top should
fasten or be weighted down to prevent the bird from opening it.
The tank should be large enough so the bird can move
around, and deep enough so the bird can’t hop up to the rim when
the top is temporarily removed.
For a budgie, a minimum sized tank would be about 9 by 12 inches
and 10 inches deep. A
bigger bird needs a larger tank.
The bottom of the tank should be well padded to minimize
injury to the bird. The
material should be easy to replace when soiled.
Many layers of thick paper towels can be used.
When using cloth, be sure the bird’s nails are clipped to
avoid hooking the cloth.
Food and water containers must be down low where the bird
can easily reach them. Containers
that rest on the floor of the tank can be used.
Hooded containers reduce the chance of the bird soiling the
food or water if the bird perches on the container.
Make sure the bird’s wing bandage doesn’t prevent it
from eating and drinking from its food and water containers.
The shape of the container shouldn’t provide an easy
surface onto which the bird can climb or perch.
A perch should be provided that is near the bottom of the
tank. A self standing
perch can be purchased or home made.
For example for a budgie, cut a 3 inch circle of heavy
cardboard exactly in half (through its diameter).
Cut a wooden perch to about 3 inches long.
Drive a small nail or tack through each cardboard piece at
a point farthest from the straight side. Then drive the nails or
tacks into the ends of the perch.
The cardboard pieces are now stands on the ends of the
perch.
