Hi all, I agree with what others have said but especially that the bird will have to be seen by a (hopefully experienced) vet. Adelaide Zoo would be great but from my understanding that’s a “few” kms away from Sheringa, so unless Lena has relatives in Adelaide who she hasn’t seen in a while it would be a big thing to ask for. I’m sure someone in Adelaide Zoo’s Vet Dept would be able to give some sort of advice though. A vet close by should be able to do the right assessment including prescribing medication and the like. Many vets also have contact details of more trusted wildlife carers unless you’re planning to rehab the bird yourself. Without being a native-hen expert, I would keep the bird on a diet consisting of finely chopped endives, lettuce, spinach and other readily available greens. Even better if you can find some wild herbs/greens. Offer it in a dish with water, especially if the bird is not drinking. There should be more than one water dish around, and normally a shallow pool can be offered for bathing (not in your case though, as you’ve attached a bandage). If you can keep the bird in a quiet spot (maybe backyard?) where it has some places to hide, and away from pets that would be great. If the bird is eating the snails you’re offering that’s great – keep doing that and maybe offer some fresh corn kernels and seeding grass if you have some growing around the corner. For transporting the bird to the vet use a cardboard box (if you don’t have a pet pack) that is not too big. Put a towel inside (or newspapers, but towel is better for it to hold onto). Put some holes in the box for ventilation (keep them small enough so that the bird is not sticking it’s head through the holes) and keep it dark, cool (not freezing, obviously) and quiet. The vibrations from the car will help it to settle down. Depending on how long you will be travelling, you probably don’t have to feed the bird during the trip. It wouldn’t eat anyway, I guess. I hope all goes well with the bird, and I would like to thank you for caring so much for Australian wildlife, and not turning a blind eye on it when it needs help. Well done so far and good on you! Cheers from a zoo keeper who has to deal with a lot of injured/orphaned wildlife cases, Falk On Thu, Nov 7, 2013 at 10:12 AM, Di Giglio, Vanessa < vdigiglio@zoo.nsw.gov.au> wrote: > Hi Lena, > > My suggestion would be to contact the Adelaide Zoo vets for advice. I > think it will definitely need to get transported to a vet for assessment > and treatment of that fractured wing as bandaging may not be enough. The > bird might need surgery and will definitely need medication. The keepers at > Adelaide might be also able to suggest a good diet for a wild Native-hen. > > I have forwarded your query to the Adelaide Zoo vets, but the zoo number > is 08 8267 3255 if you want to give them a call. > > Cheers, > Vanessa > > Vanessa Di Giglio > Administrative Assistant > Taronga Wildlife Hospital > > Taronga Conservation Society Australia > Taronga Zoo > Bradleys Head Road > Mosman, NSW 2088 > Phone: 61-2 9978 4785 > Fax: 61-2 9978 4516 > Email: vdigiglio@zoo.nsw.gov.au
