Hi I have 2 budgies that have caked on poop on their claws , I have tried to bath it off but it is too hard, any tips on how I can get rid of it.

 

Ross

Hi Ross I think you would have to persevere with soaking it off. Try warm water with a bit of det or shampoo in it. If you don't remove it, it will cripple their feet on lose a toenail or something.

How old are the birds?

It would be fiddly but maybe use a strip of material e.g wet with the warm water and leave it around their feet for a little while to see if it will loosen it enough to remove it.

The birds have left thenest within a week.

 

 

You should of been cleaning them in the nest so the build up isn't so bad, do as advised.

Hi Ross, Are they still in the breeding cage? fledged but still within the breeding cage, they would be able to be caught easily. Some parents are "wet" feeders so chicks tend to be walking around is messy box's. I check mine every day or so in nest box, to see they are not getting any build up or food around beak/cere etc also check feet and vent for "gunk" if it's cleaned off on a regular basis it doesn't get the chance to harden up. Let us know how you went cleaning them up.

Hi Ross I have had this happen before when things have been going along fine and I have left them alone for the last week and they have come out of the nest with concrete balls on their feet. Left on it will probably take the toe off, I have had success by using a pair of pliers and gently squeezing all around it to destabilise it, then you may be able to soak it off or it may come apart.

You have to be very careful as the toe is already compromised.

Cheers Jenny

Thank you all for your advice I have removed the poop with a pair of pliers and the birds are happy again.

 

 

Ross

 

Glad to hear all is well.

 

Cheers Jenny

Great news, good tip from Hilly to keep in memory bank, one never knows when it may come in handy.

I have had awful trouble trying to remove hardened poop from chicks feet.  I have tried changing diet and nesting material but to no avail.  Have watched several videos where they soften with water until soft enough to remove but this is extremely time consuming when you have a number of chicks with the same problem and quite distressing to the bird because of the time spent.  Yet again I searched the internet and this time found breeders using pliers.  Ordinary full size pliers.  Wow!  It works a treat.  Very quick and no wet babies.  It is surprising easy to control the pliers until the cement boot gives way and you can just knock it off.