Fledgling Blue Jay, broken leg, HELP.?

Question

Okay, so the neighbors yard has three blue jays in it, and two of them are hoping all over the place calling for mom; moms around somewhere dealing with those two. The third is hidden near the fence, trying not to be seen. It doesn't make noise and it couldn't hop. I scooped it into a hat and brought it in. Now he/she is in a box full of bedding, and it's very obvious that something is wrong with one of it's legs. It moves on one and just sort of drags the other... So, what am I to do? My grandmother use to take in loads of wild birds, but all I remember is syringe feeding featherless babies. I don't know what do to for this birds age! Do I need to keep it at a certain temp? What do we need to feed it, how often? Water? EVERYTHING. Please, thanks <3

Answer 1

It needs to go to a local wildlife rehab..they will fix the leg if possible. They will be able to give it the proper care it needs and get it released back into the wild if possible. Look here for a rehab near you:

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm

Answer 2

Ok, I am not going to go into feeding details, as I know the other answer's have covered this aready. But, I can however assist with the leg problem. Take a popsicle stick and splint the leg. Tape will work , but dont tape it too tightly.This is an easy temporary fix.

If you could please take some pictures of the bird, and of that leg, and post/email them to me, I can be of much further assistance.

If you do not feel comfortable splinting the leg, just leave it for a few days and see if things improve. It could very possibly be a muscle tear or tissue injury. These things will heal themselves, but if it is a bone fracture, you will need to intervene. But these desicions should not be made for another two days or so, and only if you see no signs of improvement.

Until then, place a water bottle filled with warm-hot water in a sock, and put this in the box. This will at least be something to keep it warm.

If you can access a heat lamp, do so. Adjust it accordingly depending on the birds reaction. If it scatters to the edges of the box, the lamp is too hot, and needs to be raised, and if he goes into the middle, it needs to be lowered to provide more heat. When he travels randomly, you know it is set at the right height. Being a fledgeling, heat is much less important, but still fairly neccessary. I think that for now, the water bottle will suffice as heat.

Make sure to return him to the wild ASAP. And do not socialize with him. It will almost indefinately cause death in the birds future. (flying up to a rotten kid, or a car, will not end well)



Please send those pictures!

Good Luck!



Dr Dylan James

Veterinarian



P.S Keep it inside tonight.

Answer 3

The best thing to do is put the baby back outside (where you found it) and see if the mom will feed it. Fledglings are extremely difficult to feed. Make sure to stay away from the baby so Mom isnt scared off. If the mom dose not come back and feed it within 3 hours, then take the bird back inside and feed it this:

1/4 cup boiled egg yolk mixed with

1/2 cup puppy dog food (kibbles, not canned)

softened with warm water (so it is doughy, but not runny).

Use a straw os stick with a rounded end, shaped like a birds beak to feed the bird. If the birds mouth is open (peeping) then put the food inside, but be care full not to put it too far down the birds thought. if it is not peeping, than make swooping gestures with your hands and see if the bird will open its mouth.

You will only feed the bird this for a short period of time though. When the bird gets a little older you need to Start feeding it mill worms, ear wigs, and other bugs.

If it has feathers than you dont need to put it on a heating blanket or anything. And it gets its water from the bird food. if you want to put a little water in a lid, than that may be helpfull though, it really depends on the age of the bird.

You can go to http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=36502 for aditional info.



Good Luck (=

Answer 4

give it fruit, veggies and weet-bix mixed with water into a mash. keep it warm and feed it 3 times a day. Call a vet, pet shop or animal shelter a.s.a.p!!



i hope this helps! google baby blue jay diet.

Answer 5

i think this web site can help you.



http://www.possumwoodacres.org/babybird.htm



i dont know much about birds but i know that you should not handle it alot because you could cause it pain from moving the broken leg.

Answer 6

probable no longer. you could make a splint for it and look after it - yet wild birds are unpredictable. in case you place it in a cage it would thrash approximately interior it - hurting itself extra. you could continuously call a vet for advice.