Expert: Roger Lederer - 6/19/2008

Question
Hi Roger,
We found a baby robin having fallen out of a tree due to a rain storm.  Kept it a few days, feeding it tiny strips of boiled chicken and egg.  It got bigger and we helped it reunite with it's parents. We were all beings on the same page and it was a most excellent experience!  Finally, it flew from tree to tree in our yard! It gained it's ability to fly. Happy!  A couple days later we heard a peeping from a bush and found it there (we can approach as we've formed a bond and trust), only to realize one of it's legs is not functioning properly with it's talons bent backwards - like a twisted foot.  That night, it attempted standing on both legs/feet and we felt hopeful, but since then, has not and only stands temporarily on one foot until it gets tired and lays down. We've been dripping it's bad leg/foot in luke warm water as a therapy of sorts. I think the leg may be broken and I don't know what to do.

It's going on 4 days now and FiFi (the name we gave) is still growing in spite of this injury. FiFi seems happy and chirping but she needs to be outside flying and learning how to take care of herself.  Any advice?  James and Sara  

Answer
I can't diagnose the bird from here, but one distinct possiblity that I have seen occur many times is that the bird did not get enough vitamins, particularly vitamin D, while you were feeding it and while its bones were growing. This often resullts in a leg deformity that is permanent. Alternatively, it could be broken foot, but I don't think so. Contact a vet or your local wildlife rehab center for advice. Thanks for your concern.