Hi there i have a problem with my breeding budgies they have 2 babies and their feet are now stuck with the poo that stays in the nest box

i tried to clean it off with water but not all will come off

has anybody got any help as how to clean it off so they are much healthier

thanks

david

ps i do clean the nest box out regulary but this stuff now wont come off

This is really important to check the feet of the baby budgies at the stage where they are getting poopy, especially from the age of 2- 3 weeks onwards, if the hen is not cleaning them. More often than not, the babies feet get caked in poop, that then hardens and interferes with the movement of the toes. It needs to be removed as it can set like clay and cause deformities in their feet. I have heard of some budgie owners who didn't check for this and then had to deal with toes and feet that were literally seized up and didn't work properly....feet were encased in dried poop that has set like pair of concrete boots....meaning the need for veterinary care and splints etc.

You can use a couple of different methods to clean their feet. Gently picking away the minor stuff attached to the feet with your fingernails after soaking it with lukewarm water to soften the caked mess, or in bigger babies a gentle clean with a very soft wet toothbrush and pat it dry afterwards. You can use a soft damp cloth or paper towel if it works well for you too. Be very careful in picking away caked droppings from the toenail area as it has been known to have a toenail come away in trying to get it clean.

I know vinegar is very good for cleaning poos off of cages. Perhaps it would work well on your babies feet. 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water.

Edited January 7, 200718 yr by Sailorwolf

Also to help stop them problem add a bedding of shaved wood (fount at pet shops) even if you added some at the start and the hen removed it all, they tend to leave it alone once the babies have arrived.

thanks heaps

i tried the vinegar solution and my nails and got them all clean

i also put some wood shavings in the box too

thanks

david

thanks heaps

i tried the vinegar solution and my nails and got them all clean

i also put some wood shavings in the box too

thanks

david

 

Hi David I use cause saw dust in the nest boxes

It soaks up the droppings better than shavings, I have never had this problem

again since doing so.