S.O.S.

BLEEDING

Bleeding toe nails are always a worry with birds, they can catch their feet in almost anything. A good habit to get into is to give your aviaries a good inspection on a regular basis thus avoiding any potential problems.

If the tip of the toenail is broken, just the little piece at the top, then it should not bleed, if it is torn any distance down the nail then it most probably will bleed.

The use of something like peroxide will help stop the bleeding, so will the application of pressure on the tip, try to always have some sort of solution to stop bleeding on hand, flour can be used as an emergency blood stopper.

If the nail is torn right out of the nail bed, then the bird is best removed to a clean environment, and kept in this environment until the nail starts to regrow.

The nail bed can be kept clean by bathing with peroxide, and of course the cage, or hospital box must be kept perfectly clean to avoid infection.

On two occasions I have used heat to stop bleeding, both occasions were emergencies, the first being a large cockatoo with a bleeding toenail, the nail had been clipped far to short and the blood was dripping out in a steady stream.

The bird had been like this for quite awhile before being brought to me, I heated a large knife on the gas stove until it was red hot, this I quickly applied to the nail, cauterising the wound.

I also used this method on a beak which had been badly bumped and the tip was broken clean off, not a very long piece but enough to continue to bleed. Both times this did work well, both times were emergencies.

To keep the cockatoo still she was wrapped in a towel and held very firmly, their feet are very strong so a third person held onto the foot and the other claws. With the second bird it was quite a lot smaller and didn’t need so many helpers.
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S.O.S.
THE LIFESAVING HEAT

Heat can be a lifesaver when it comes to bird that are not quite 100%.

Heat can also be a lifesaver with a hen that is looking decidedly egg bound.

If a hospital cage is not available, in an emergency a reading lamp or bed lamp can help out. Place the bird in a smaller cage, like an 18" cocky cage, wrap three sides and top in a blanket or towel. Place two perches in the cage, one at each end. Place a reading lamp with a 60 watt bulb beside one perch.

The bird as it feels the need for heat will move to that perch, when it starts to improve, or gets too hot it will move away.

Be extra careful that you don’t have the light directly touching the covering, (i.e. towel or blanket), this could cause a fire.

The application of heat especially to a hen who is egg bound will 9 times out of 10, and if the bird is caught early, make the muscles relax and the egg will be able to be layed.

A bird who has just caught a chill or is a little off colour due to some trauma will improve fairly quickly if put into a warm secure safe place.

Of course if a bird does not improve within 12 hours, or seems to get worse please consult your vet.
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S.O.S.
EGG BINDING

How do you know if you have a hen which is egg bound.

We all know that hens, once they start to breed, and an egg is on the way seem to get a hump, there is no other way to describe it, the hump is just above the tail, the wings seem to drop and the hump is quite noticeable.

Another sign is they tend to produce very large and very runny droppings, you can usually see them splattered on the floor of the aviary.

An egg takes approximately 24 to 26 hours from fertilisation of the egg by the sperm. The longest period the eggs stays in a particular part of the hens anatomy is 20-21 hours in the shell gland, it is laid very quickly after leaving this area.

There are many reasons why hens become egg bound, from bacterial problems, to inflammation of the uterus, hernias, tumours, nutritional problems, the hens may be too old, or she may be too young, she may have sustained an injury at some time.

If a problems persists with any given hen, it would not be wise to continue to breed with this hen.

If it is a once only problem that occurs it would be wise to only breed this particular hen after a rest, and during the warmer months.

If you suspect you have a hen that is egg bound the most important immediate action is to put the hen either into a hospital cage or into a warm blanket covered cage, with a light, keep the heat at an even, 95% , the hen should pass the egg within a few hours.

Make sure the hen has food and water available and does not have to use energy to get food or water. The addition of a calcium supplement to both food and water is advisable.

If the egg is not layed with a reasonable time, or the hen does not perk up with the addition of heat please take this hen to your local bird vet.

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