African grey Burnt chord?

Question

Hi, i have a african grey, recently it's chord is burnt. The food that it ate flow out from it's chord. I took it to the vet, and it was given stitches..... i feel guilty as it should be the food i feed it that is too hot. Thus currently it is recovering from it's injury and it can't be feed as much as before. i have heard that during the recovery process, due to itchyness, it might bite and tear off the stitches. Anyone out there have revalent experience to advise me??? thanks

Answer 1

You are speaking of a burned crop, not chord. If fed food that is too hot it can literally burn a hole in the crop (the pouch on underside of bird's neck that stores food temporarily before it moves on down through the digestive tract). A crop burn with perforation (a hole) would require stitches. A bird cannot bite its own crop but it can, of course, scratch at it with its foot. Try to keep your bird distracted with toys and other activties. If this does not seem to be working discuss a collar with your avian vet to protect the wound. Though this is usually a last resort as it is very upsetting for the bird.

Answer 2

I have no idea what part of this birds anatomy you speak of,
I have never heard of the chord!!

if you fed the bird a foods that was too hot and it burnt the bird somehow I cannot see how it would have had stitches either..
Bird would have shaken it's head and thrown food everywhere if it was too hot. Externally it is protected by its feathers do that rules that out too. The crop may be what you are referring too but how on earth did hot food get down there unless you forced it in with a feeding needle!

Yes the Bird can tear it''s stitches, they are usually disolevable ones so that will allow it time to heal. In the meantime get some help in feeding this bird properly otherwise it will die. Look in the book for a bird breeder and elicit their help.

Answer 3

Yes, you are speaking of the crop, and this is just one of the reasons many states are trying to pass laws not to allow babies still not weaned to be sold. Its very sad, I do volunteer work with parrot rehab and fostering, and feeding, I do not see too many of these survive sadly, as yes, the food was too hot. Id take it to an AVIAN vet asap and let them keep it until healed, if possible. They need a lot of love and toys and much attention, they cant be left alone all day like canaries can. Hopefully you didnt get one just because they are supposed to be good talkers. We tell our foster placements if you want a talking bird, get one that already does. You cant guarantee any breed will. Other than that, just ease your guilty feeling by seeing if you can find an avian vet to keep it during the healing. They will know what to do to intervene if needed. Some areas of the country are extremely dry also, which whill make them scratch or bite stitches. If you must keep him home, stay with him, hold him in a nice warm little towel, hug him to you and begin a bonding process. TAlk calmliy and play if he/she feels up to it.