Craig Angus

G'day all. We've had 4 splayed leg problems with chicks since June. Definitely not calcium as they get supplements int their daily water changes, plus we supply plenty of grit & cuttle. We suspect there is a genetic factor at play from one breeding pair that has produced two splayed legged chicks that failed to respond to treatment & had to be euthanised. There is a fair bit of wood shavings present in the wooden nest box. Of the two other birds, one recovered successfully & the other has nerve damage to the right foot which appears to be giving the bird some pain. Currently he seems to be managing, feeding, perching & interacting okay, but we are assessing his quality of life over the next week or so. Many thanks for the advice in this forum, been very helpful. Cheers Craig.

G'day all. I'm new to the forum. Been breeding budgies since June, mostly successful but have had a few young ones die of crop disorders. We've also had to euthanise two dear little ones with splayed legs that failed to improve with the sponge splint treatment described in another forum. Have looked at suggestions for euthanasia, I personally feel any method that takes longer than a second is too long. I now use a sharp pair of first aid trauma scissors to decapitate, takes less than a second. A bucket is needed. It's very difficult to do, definitely brings tears to your eyes! But there's very little trauma to the bird particularly when done at night. I feel it's the right thing to do when nothing else can be done. Cheers, Craig.