How to Take Care of a Bird With a Broken Leg

It's recommended that your bird see an avian vet as soon as possible if it has a broken bone; however, until you are able to do this, there are some care steps you can try at home. The most important thing to provide an ill bird is a hospital cage. This is a cage or tank away from other animals that has a heating lamp and modifications for the specific ailment.

Things You'll Need

  • Glass tank
  • Strong tape
  • Perches
  • Foam pad or towel
  • Screen lid
  • Heating lamp with red light
  • Thermometer
  • Food and water dishes
  • Millet
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set a glass tank on the floor. This is safest for a bird with a broken leg, in case it tries to escape. Tanks also keep the bird from climbing cage bars with an injured leg.

    • 2

      Tape perches to the bottom of the tank using a strong tape. Birds need a place to grip. They can't stand flat on their feet for long periods of time, especially with a broken leg.

    • 3

      Line the tank with a foam sheet or towel, forming it around the perches. The bird needs a soft surface in case it falls off the perch.

    • 4

      Place a shallow dish of water and a shallow dish of millet on the bottom of the tank. Millet is easy to digest and provides a lot of calories for healing.

    • 5

      Transfer the bird from the wire cage to the hospital tank as gently as possible, minding the broken leg. Do not attempt to set the leg on your own. If it isn't done correctly, it may not heal properly wrong or cut off circulation if the bandage is too tight.

    • 6

      Put a screened lid on the tank. The screen will help keep the tank aerated.

    • 7

      Set up a heat lamp with a red light bulb on one side of the tank to shine over the lid. Hospital tanks need heat to keep the bird comfortable enough to heal well. The red light keeps it from being too bright, and only heating one side allows the bird another side to cool off at, if needed. Place a thermometer inside the tank to monitor the temperature. Hospital cages should be around 80 F.

    • 8

      Take the bird to the vet as soon as possible to have the leg professionally set. Some broken legs heal by themselves, but the bird still needs to be checked by a doctor.