Gouldian young won't fly

24 May 2012, 18:22

Our last clutch of gouldians had 3 chicks. Two of them looked like they left the nest much too early, one didn't make it, the other one fledged around 3 weeks ago and he has been on the ground since. If we try to catch him he flaps his wings to get out of the way but does not fly. We are not sure if there is a physical reason he isn't flying, or he thinks he is a quail. Should we be trying to get him to fly somehow? will he eventually work it out?

24 May 2012, 18:39

Does its legs & feet look ok or does it drag its feet along the ground or have turned in feet?

24 May 2012, 18:55

Will have to check Tiaris. How does that affect his flying? He spends a lot of time in his tummy I think, I am not sure how much he actually uses his legs to stand. Will watch him over the next couple of days. The other day it looked like it was holding one leg up when I picked him up.
The one that didn't make it I think hurt itself each time it left the nest (leg and wing). Not sure if they were turfed out by the parents, I put them back a few times then gave up especially when I realised they were getting hurt presumably on landing heavily.

25 May 2012, 10:38

Sometimes another pair will chuck them, trying to take over the nest. Particularly if the cocks are still sorting out dominance of the avairy.
LML

25 May 2012, 21:45

flap wrote:Will have to check Tiaris. How does that affect his flying? He spends a lot of time in his tummy I think, I am not sure how much he actually uses his legs to stand. Will watch him over the next couple of days. The other day it looked like it was holding one leg up when I picked him up.
The one that didn't make it I think hurt itself each time it left the nest (leg and wing). Not sure if they were turfed out by the parents, I put them back a few times then gave up especially when I realised they were getting hurt presumably on landing heavily.

If the feet are turned in or just drag along the ground as if paralysed this could indicate Rickets (Vit D/calcium issue). Time on belly tends to indicate this may be the case. No cure for an affected bird if that's the case. If so, it may be worth considering euthenasia if your up to it.

26 May 2012, 14:15

Thanks Tiaris, no need for euthanasia though, unfortunately the little guy didn't make it