I have noticed a few of my new chicks have what I think is called splayed feet. (Their toes turned inward)Is there anything I can do about it and will it affect them in any way??

Splay legs make the chicks legs part from the hips (like us doing the splits). They have trouble walking and need their joints to be strengthened up with a sort of sponge splint.

What it sounds like you have if a lack of calcium, which doesn't allow them to straighten the toes and they curl inward... a bit like bowed legs in people... but it's in the birds feet.

It can be corrected in early stages with added calcium, but i'm not sure at later stages... try giving some calcium as an extra top up?

Can you post a picture and some one on the forum can tell you exactly what is wrong.

Splay legs make the chicks legs part from the hips (like us doing the splits). They have trouble walking and need their joints to be strengthened up with a sort of sponge splint.

What it sounds like you have if a lack of calcium, which doesn't allow them to straighten the toes and they curl inward... a bit like bowed legs in people... but it's in the birds feet.

It can be corrected in early stages with added calcium, but i'm not sure at later stages... try giving some calcium as an extra top up?

Totally agree with ALL advice Libby has given you here

I have some Calcivet, do I give it to them diluted in a syringe?? Battery in camera is flat so give me a while and will post a picture.

Edited May 21, 200817 yr by jenene283

Answered in your reply PM. One drop per beak per day ( pure not diluted ) to each chick for 1 to 2 weeks . It may not be fixable but they will still be fine. Maybe not a budgie you can sell...ones you may have to keep.

I thought they might have trouble grasping onto their perches??

They'll manage. Sometimes you just need to make some adjustments to their cage. Square perches, flat platforms etc... just to make it eaiser for them to get around

If you get onto it quickly so it doesn't get any worse they should be fine. I had special set ups for the one in my aviary until I realised she wasn't using them anyway, she gets around just as well as the non splayed birds. I also have a lovebird with one foot that perches perfectly now, they are surprisingly adaptable

They'll manage. Sometimes you just need to make some adjustments to their cage. Square perches, flat platforms etc... just to make it eaiser for them to get around

That's good to know, I'd hate to think they couldnt get around properly, will start giving them Calcivet in the morning!!

As well as the calcium, are you feeding the parents vegetables like carrots, spinach, beetroot and broccoli etc for vitamins and minerals?

As well as the calcium, are you feeding the parents vegetables like carrots, spinach, beetroot and broccoli etc for vitamins and minerals?

Yes, they have an excellent diet, fresh fruit and veg daily and cuttlebone as well, and now calcivet in their drinking water.

With my breeding pairs, they get calcivet leading up to and through egglaying. Then they get some more when feeding chicks. It all helps.