From Blackland Prairie Raptor Center
Springtime means people are using fertilizers on lawns and flower beds. Fertilizers, whether synthetic or organic, contain many chemicals that can be harmful. Please be mindful of fertilizers and the damage it can do to skin. If you use fertilizers, please water the fertilizer into the ground. This method creates a beautiful and safe yard.
Springtime also means baby birds and fledglings often spend a few days walking and standing on the ground. If a bird stands on fertilizer it burns the bird’s feet and hocks, often resulting in sores so severe that the birds are no longer able to walk. Birds with the worst burns are absolutely devastating as these can burn down to the bone.
We don’t like to take young birds away from their parents, but fertilizer-burned feet need medical attention. This Eastern Screech Owl came to our raptor clinic with burns on its feet. Our clinic staff cleaned the wounds and applied topical medication. Then the feet are wrapped to help the wounds heal and will be rechecked and rewrapped over several days. The owl will wear medicated booties until these burns heal.
Birds are usually fast healers. This one is just a baby, so it’s still growing everything at a rapid rate.
I’m sure it is unpleasant, but I don’t know offhand the extent of the pain. The scaley parts are keratin, and I’m uncertain if the burn marks are all the way through that protective coating and to tender bits underneath or if any portion of that is potentially still at least protected and just needs to be kept from getting infected or further physically damaged. It’s standing in its little booties, so that should be a positive sign. I wish I could find more details.