Broken keel

[Peckedhen]

I think that my birds were hit by a falcon yesterday. Yesterday they did not return to the loft together, one didn't get back until this morning and I have just collected another from a member of the public. It cannot fly and the keel feels sort of crackly (like a full crop) and is not easily felt. :'(

 

Is it possible to reset or splint a broken keel?   :-/

[Tony C]

I would confine it to a nestbox and let it heal naturally.

[jimmy white]

i would agree with tony c, the breast will probably be bruised and swollen , and at that stage would be difficult to tell if the keel is broken, but looking at the worst , it will still will still "heal"  allthough it has a damaged keel , and you may feel it in the future , the bird will still be ok ,, best of luck with it anyway  

[Guest]

don't worry Sue, we had a young bird who broke his keel racing in 2000, turned out to be one of the best breeders we have

[Peckedhen]

Thanks everyone.

 

So, TLC, rest and fingers crossed!!

[Guest Paulo]

One of the best busschaerts in the north of england was called the broken keel cock good luck with the bird