I just hurt a little bird - advice?

Just got home from Judo with the kids and decided i'd lube the chain before tomorrow's big event at Brands, did that just putting stuff back into the shed, through the abba stand in and heard some frantic chirping.

I had inadvertently put the stand on top of a tiny bird (wing I think), it had obviously got in there while I was doing the work as I left the door open.

Tried to get it and every time it went deeper into the shed trying to hide, clearly not able to fly.

So Chelle and I cleared the shed out and I managed to get it into a flower pot, put everything back into the shed, closed the door and laid the flower pot down on its side so it could get out.

Went back 10 mins later and it is curled up obviously scared.

Didn't know what to do for the best, but as the nest is actually in a nest box on the outside of our shed, so I thought I would attempt to put the bird back into the nest, couldn't get the flower pot close enough so put a trowel at the end of the pot and tipped the pot a little, the bird slid down onto the trowel and then hopped into the hole where all the other babies were.

Have kept an eye on it since and the parents are going to and fro back to the nest feeding, so I don't think I have scared them off.

I feel awful.

Have I done the right thing or should I have put the poor thing out of its misery?

I can't believe how bad I feel.

Get 2 buckets, half fill one with water.

Place the bird in the water and then put the second bucket into the one with the water in until the water seeps over the top.

Hold for a few minutes.

This is probably the kindest way to help it.

The other option is to pick the bits up in the morning after a cat has got hold of it.

Put it out of its misery.
Rifle, stone etc..

I don't know really, never had to do it to a little bird...

Bigger birds I just use my rifle.

The bird is back in its nest now though, I was just seeing if I had done the right thing.

In my own (slightly mental) way I hope that it would be fed and then have time to get better?

Sounds like it should be fine. Did you check its wing at all? Did it seem broken? As long as it was only the weight of the stand it might have been ok, just a little shocked/upset.

Just keep an eye on it, im sure it will be fine.

I can't believe how bad I feel.

Veterinary nurse advice:
Keep an eye on it, baby animals and birds have an incredible power to heal quickly.
Bones are soft and pliable at young age and it may heal and be able to fly, if not when the other babies fly and it cant then send me a pm I know a rescue that will take it but give it a chance for a natural life...

Hope the bucket of water thing was a joke, it doesnt sound like the most humane way to kill anything...if you are going to do it, do it quick ..brick to the head (but give things a chance sometimes you will be amazed)

Dont feel bad, you didnt do it deliberately, accidents happen and you did the right thing by not handling it too much sounds like the parents are continuing to feed it etc.

Hope this helps

Originally Posted by Von Teese

Hope the bucket of water thing was a joke, it doesnt sound like the most humane way to kill anything...if you are going to do it, do it quick ..

I do have access to explosives if that a more prefered/ quicker way for you?

Originally Posted by speedplay

I do have access to explosives if that a more prefered/ quicker way for you?

That is definately more acceptable

Stick it in the freezer will put it to sleep.