I have read previous posts on splayed legs and it is something that i am trying to be conscious of. I have shavings in the nest and am doing all I can so this done not happen. Tonight I took the little ones out of the nest for the first time, freaking their mother out a bit I think, and looked at them. I was concerned about splayed legs, and then I thought I was wrong. I mean, there is no way that those little legs are strong enough to support that body, so maybe I was worrying for no reason. But what if I was not?

 

How do you tell if a chick has splayed legs or if it just the case of them being so young they are not old enough for their underdeveloped legs and muscles to hold up their bodies with that full crop?

One of the first signs you will see is redness like inflammation at the joints. That apart from the usual which is legs sticking out sideways and not able to be tucked up under them.

It isnt just about hens sitting too hard or nestbox concaves or nesting materials. It's also about lack of calcium in the parents leading up to and through baby budgie raising.

Kaz's Method on Fixing Splayed Legs with picture

There is no lack of calcium. They have a cuttlebone in each cage, and all 3 mum's in each box regularly chew down on that. There is also Calcivet in the water, so that is good.

 

there were no obvious signs of inflammation in the joints, so that is a good sign. I am going to have a more in depth look tomorrow, but at this stage, I am willing to go out on a limb and say it is justme being paranoid - first time breeder and all that.

 

Elly, I have read the post on fixing splayed legs many times, and I have even thought about where i would buy the foam from - (Laughing out loud).

Elly, I have read the post on fixing splayed legs many times, and I have even thought about where i would buy the foam from - lol.

The foam is found in the makeup section of any supermarket and sold as makeup sponges...

okay, I remember someone saying (Kaz or feathers I think) that a cuttlebone is actually not a good source of calcium. Eggshell is much better. Make powder out of it and put in on their softfood.

Edited June 5, 200718 yr by Marlony

A hen requires vitamin D in order to be able to effectively uptake any source of calcium. Vitamin D is absorbed naturally through the sun or by use, mainly in breeding rooms of cod liver oil.

 

However too much calcium or vitamin D can cause toxicity problems. A hen can get the calcium she requires from any source that you supply, cuttlefish, egg shells or liquid calcium as long as they also have the required level of vitamin D.

 

One of the problems with some owners converting to an all pellet diet is that it provides too high a dose of calcium. Testing has found that a Pellets only & Poultry food diet caused an increase in calcium deposits in the kidneys which caused renal failure & death. When switched to a mixed seed diet the deaths stopped.

 

As is always recommended in the FAQ's on this site, all budgies need a healthy diet which includes 30% seed, 30% pellets, 30% fresh foods and 10% treats such as honey sticks, millet etc. Their water should be changed daily to avoid build up of bacteria and they should always have access to a cuttlefish bone (or calcium bell or block) and an iodine block. This gives budgerigars access to all of their daily needs.

 

When breeding however it has been found to be beneficial to add extra calcium for the hens needs. Many breeders will give soaked seed (seed mixed with a little cod liver oil - left to soak for 24 hours) and liquid calcium.

 

 

Feathers.