What would you have done?

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brent
Posts: 1281
Joined: Sat Feb 10, 2018 2:43 pm
Location: Raceland, Louisiana

Hi all. Yesterday one of the fledglings was on the ground and I just waited and watched which is what I usually do because often they get themselves flying after a little coaxing from adults. This time after watching for a while I know something was wrong so I went to see. This little one was of fledging age but could not fly because one wing was deformed. It was never going to fly. As I approached it it was screaming and was obviously afraid of me. So, not wanting to stress it, I left it alone and did not interfere. Today there is no sign of it. Perhaps a predator got it or it died somewhere. What would you have done? Just wondering. Thanks. Brent
Brent
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flyin-lowe
Posts: 3792
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
Location: Indiana/Henry Co.

If it was an obvious deformity I would have probably done the same, let nature take it's course.
2026 HOSP 29
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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Unk Bond
Posts: 206
Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2023 1:11 pm
Location: Ohio

Hello Brent
To ease your mind
I would have done the same thing ] And have

Later Unk
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C.C.Martins
Posts: 3368
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
Location: Corpus Christi Tx
Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.

Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member

Yes Brent, agree with your path.
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
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Thomas Maddox
Posts: 580
Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2021 5:23 pm
Location: Sulphur, Louisiana

Totally agree. You are a good man. Don't be hard on yourself.
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brent
Posts: 1281
Joined: Sat Feb 10, 2018 2:43 pm
Location: Raceland, Louisiana

Thanks everyone. I do feel much better about the decision after reading your replies. Thank you. Brent
Brent
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Martintown33
Posts: 1366
Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:21 pm
Location: Laplace,La
Martin Colony History: Colony started in 1998. 2 s&k modified houses and gourd rack

Very sorry to hear this Brent. It’s a tough situation. Nothing you could do. One year, I had a 20 day old fledgling. He was completely blind. During nest checks, I noticed His eyes never opened since he was born . At age 20 days he still had the new born skin completely covering his eyes shut. I had been praying that his eyes would open, but they never did. At that point, I made the inevitable decision that I had been putting off for days and days. I knew he could never survive and the thought of him in there by himself , blind and starving, when his siblings fledged was just too much, so I had to put him down. Hardest moment I ever had as a landlord. That was about 10 years ago, and I still think about it. Mercy can be very hard … you did all you can do.. you’re a great landlord..
Rob
PMCA member
Laplace, La
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Birdiegirl
Posts: 367
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 7:03 pm
Location: Scott County Kentucky
Martin Colony History: Two poles: 2 T-14s and 8 gourds
2021- 1 pair, 5 fledged
2022- 11 pair, 36 fledged
2023- 20 pair, 78 fledged
2024- 32 pair, 109 fledged
2025- 34 pair, 117 fledged
2026-

Ug- Brent, I get it. Add me to the list folks that say 'I would've done the same thing'.

Last year we had a chick booted out of the nest three times- not a jumper, I saw parents drag it out/toss it twice. There was something wrong with its hip socket and it couldn't move properly. We (well... okay, my hubby) put it down... it certainly would not have survived.

Remember we know we are good landlords BECAUSE these decisions hurt. You did the right thing.
Laura
PMCA member
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