Hi, Joined today as we need some information about our birdies. About four months ago we rescued two baby budgies from the big cage and brought them inside, when I cleaned them up they only had one foot each and they had been plucked. They are now very happy and healthy and love the disability ramps my partner made for them.

 

Now we have another baby, much younger probably about one month old. Doesn't have much feathers and also he has splayed legs. He can't stand up, he moves by moving one leg back and forth and can only go in circles. He can move the joints in his legs but his feet are purple and doesn't have much feeling in them.

 

What do we do? Will he survive?

 

Any help is appreciated, Thank you.

I'd say one month you can feed him breeding porridge in a bent spoon and he will survive. Don't know much about splayed legs but it can b fixed. There r articles on this forum about it just search;and Google online; Kaz or Robyn help? They know more than I do. Sweet of your partner to make ramps. Pse eimail me a picture as I have a disabled inch who's foot broke of in Avery and got putrid so I had to amputate it. She jumps around on 1 leg but I need ramps for her to get higherm it wud give me an idea. A bit bad with practical but my hubby is great with that. My e mail: maz7@mweb.co.za.good luck. If I read anymore about it will post here for u or reply via email.

 

Also are you colony breeding? Father,daughter or brother sister? Wonder why 2 came out with 1 leg each strange phenomenon...never come accross this so far!as long as they are happy. I have a totally blind dog. Vets tried all to save eyes but he got glaucoma, no meds worked. He manages very well between his kennel*nd our driveway to garden+back. Nature is wonderful! It adapts!

Hi,

If your splayed chick is a month old it may be a bit late to fix it but worth a try. I use pipe cleaners when I get any splayed. I can't get the make-up sponge to work (there are articles on f.a.q for help) I make a loop around one leg using pipe cleaner go through legs in figure 8 around second leg gently ease hips into correct position, you may have to do it a bit at a time, by leaving pipe cleaner a bit longer between legs and ease it a bit tighter over a few days, until hips sit in position I do it around ankles, sponge method above knee is recommended. I hope this makes sense, its a bit hard to describe but when you try it it's easy enough to work out. Leave on for at least a week then check for any improvement,if so leave for another week. Even if it only improves enough for it to perch it should help it. Keep an eye on the circulation in his foot, see if colour improves he could have a break or dislocation more than just splayed.

 

Were your one legged chicks hatched that way or had they been attacked? Do you only have budgies in aviary or mixed birds?

 

p,s pics may help us give more advice if possible.

Edited November 30, 201311 yr by robyn

My exact thought about attack. This happens in averies.my 2 young females were attacked an part of their beaks ripped off. Its taken 6 months for one to be able to dehusk. Other 1 is still in medical cage.things to consider.Maz

Hi, thanks for the advice but unfortunately my baby died. It is quite sad. Will post pictures of ramps soon. Thanks again.

Sorry you lost your chick. You can still learn heaps on here though, so keep reading and you will be better informed for when your birds breed again.

You can add pics of your little birds with one foot to show how they have adapted. Do you know if it was genetic or caused by attacks of other birds?

Ag I'm so sorry to hear baby died! I cry my eyes out for each 1 I lose, I feel like I failed to resolve the cause! More cause I love them so quickly+get attached so soon. Maz