Hi first time bird mum and borken blood feather

[RohanL]

He's in an enclosed area, so no birds can fly in or out, though I will be harness training him, also it will be a good bonding experience, I want him to have as much enrichment as I can give him, but not put him in a position where he is in danger. I live alone so it's just him and I, but I have been able to socialise him with having my friends visit and spend time just around him. He now happily goes to them by himself to say hello give them a kiss and have an inspection. Where as before he wouldn't go by himself so I'm glad I've been able to do that. I would hate to loose him , I love our cuddles and nanny naps together, the endless kisses and scritches. And the last 3 days he's started to do heart wings when he sings in the morning. No bird could ever replace my Picasso, so I try to give him the best life I can. Before I got him I did about 2 months of research on cockatiels, so I could have a happy bird. But I am always learning new things. And always open to advice.

 

[RohanL]

SO a blood feather is one where there is an active blood supply to a feather, once they grow fully, the blood supply stops. A blood feather is like a siphon into the birds blood vessels. When a blood feather snaps off or breaks, that siphon is open, but when its pulled out of the skin, that siphon action stops and so does the bleeding. SO first thing is to temporarily stop the bleeding by using corn starch (which is less caustic then a styptic powder) to help clot the break. Next is to determine if there is enough left of the base of the feather to remove it (the siphon part). Using a pair of hemostats (like surgical lockable tweasers) lock onto the part projecting from the skin and with a firm, smooth pull yank the base of the feather out. Sounds violent and painfull, but that has to be done or you risk the blood starting again. Once out, the follicle will close up and no further bleeding will occur.

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I orderd a first aid bird kit with all the items mentioned. I didn't even know they existed so

SO a blood feather is one where there is an active blood supply to a feather, once they grow fully, the blood supply stops. A blood feather is like a siphon into the birds blood vessels. When a blood feather snaps off or breaks, that siphon is open, but when its pulled out of the skin, that siphon action stops and so does the bleeding. SO first thing is to temporarily stop the bleeding by using corn starch (which is less caustic then a styptic powder) to help clot the break. Next is to determine if there is enough left of the base of the feather to remove it (the siphon part). Using a pair of hemostats (like surgical lockable tweasers) lock onto the part projecting from the skin and with a firm, smooth pull yank the base of the feather out. Sounds violent and painfull, but that has to be done or you risk the blood starting again. Once out, the follicle will close up and no further bleeding will occur.

View attachment 62885View attachment 62886

I orderd a bird first aid kit with all the items mentioned. And I got some extra things as well. I didn't even know avian first aid kits existed. Thanks for the info I will have much more peace of mind knowing I have it handy.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I orderd a first aid bird kit with all the items mentioned. I didn't even know they existed so

I orderd a bird first aid kit with all the items mentioned. And I got some extra things as well. I didn't even know avian first aid kits existed. Thanks for the info I will have much more peace of mind knowing I have it handy.

I didn't know an avian first aid lit existed either. Where did you get it?

 

[RohanL]

I didn't know an avian first aid lit existed either. Where did you get it?

I got it online it was sold by a vet clinic.
I'm in Australia so just google bird first aid kit, or avian first aid kit and you will find something . This is what I got, it was 60$

 

[RohanL]

I got it online it was sold by a vet clinic.
I'm in Australia so just google bird first aid kit, or avian first aid kit and you will find something . This is what I got, it was 60$

And it has instructions on what to do in certain emergencies like the blood feather, and others, which is very helpful

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I googled and found one on Etsy called Ava's Avian First Aid Kit. Looks pretty complete.

 

[RohanL]

I googled and found one on Etsy called Ava's Avian First Aid Kit. Looks pretty complete.

Oh I saw those as well and it was a toss up between the two, yeah it's perfect.

 

[GivemeSeedsorgivemeFlesh]

I like the idea especially if there is an instruction booklet, but considering what I have learned recently about PFAs in bandage products, I would be hesitant to buy a kit without knowing exactly what is in the individual products. I saw a roll of stretch tape in the Ava kit picture. I bet you dollars to donuts it has PFAs in it.

 

[RohanL]

I like the idea especially if there is an instruction booklet, but considering what I have learned recently about BPAs in bandage products, I would be hesitant to buy a kit without knowing exactly what is in the individual products. I saw a roll of stretch tape in the Ava kit picture. I bet you dollars to donuts it has BPA in it.

I haven't heard of that I will have to do some research. Yes it's good to know everything that's in the kit, if it doesn't have a good explanation of what's inside I would not get it. I also bought extra little things to add to it myself that I thought would be useful. I will have to reaserch BPA.

 

[GivemeSeedsorgivemeFlesh]

I haven't heard of that I will have to do some research. Yes it's good to know everything that's in the kit, if it doesn't have a good explanation of what's inside I would not get it. I also bought extra little things to add to it myself that I thought would be useful. I will have to reaserch BPA.

Sorry I meant PFAs not BPA! Watch for PFOAs in bandaids.https://techthelead.com/all-the-bandages-with-pfas-the-full-list-of-brands-found-to-have-forever-chemicals/

 

[RohanL]

Sorry I meant PFAs not BPA! Watch for PFOAs in bandaids.https://techthelead.com/all-the-bandages-with-pfas-the-full-list-of-brands-found-to-have-forever-chemicals/

Thanks I'll screenshot it so I can keep it handy

 

[rheashard2]

I didn't know that they existed either. But I had an advantage. As a health care professional I made my own. Several items I had as part of my job. With the advise of my avian vet, steam sterilization and vacuum sealing I was prepared. It never occurred to me to look for a pre-made kit.

 

[RohanL]

I also got rubber floor matt's to put under the paper in his cage, so if he falls or has a night fright he will have some cushioning to land on. I thought it would be a good idea for senior birds as well.

 

[rheashard2]

I also got rubber floor matt's to put under the paper in his cage, so if he falls or has a night fright he will have some cushioning to land on. I thought it would be a good idea for senior birds as well.

If your feathered friend is a chewer these may not be a good idea. Unless you can hide them under paper or something. I love these. My daughter has them to stand on when tired of sitting. (She works from home).

 

[RohanL]

If your feathered friend is a chewer these may not be a good idea. Unless you can hide them under paper or something. I love these. My daughter has them to stand on when tired of sitting. (She works from home).

He doesn't spend any time on the cage floor, and I'll hide them under newspaper so hopefully it works. If not I'm sure I'll find a use for them.

 

[RohanL]

He doesn't spend any time on the cage floor, and I'll hide them under newspaper so hopefully it works, I didn't get them in bright colours just grey. If not I'm sure I'll find a use for them.

 

[PeentPeent]

My cockatiel Mabel had trimmed wings when I got her and again when I still needed to bond with her


She could fly absolutely perfectly

Tiels are just too good of flyers so definitely suggest the avian harness

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I also got rubber floor matt's to put under the paper in his cage, so if he falls or has a night fright he will have some cushioning to land on. I thought it would be a good idea for senior birds as well.

My cockatiel Mabel had trimmed wings when I got her and again when I still needed to bond with her


She could fly absolutely perfectly

Tiels are just too good of flyers so definitely suggest the avian harness

Cockatiels are some of the best flyer! I have seen wing clips so severe that even a 'tiel was grounded. When that happens they can injure their keel (breastbone) striking a hard floor. I've seen it. The keel can bleed if they hit it hard enough and the poor bird keeps trying and keeps reinjuring themselves. It's very sad. Clipping just one wing throws them so off course they hit walls, etc no matter hard they try to stay on course. Again, very sad to watch.