I have a 12 day old baby with legs that stick out directly under his wings. He is the only baby that hatched and is quite fat. I am planning on calling my vet on Monday. I also have never seen this baby lift his head. This is my first experience with breeding budgies and I'm worried sick about this little guy. Thanks for any advise. Holly

Edited April 30, 200619 yr by Nerwen

PM Karen. See has experience in this area. http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index.php?showuser=2138 http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index....wtopic=9667&hl=

Edited April 30, 200619 yr by budgiebird

Hiya Holly,

Leg Splay is very serious & an avian vet is the best bet for correcting it.

 

I have had experience with this before, I have had a 50% success rate with correcting it.

 

I had to do corrective measures on one of my babies yesterday. This babies legs stuck out to the sides which mean it has a pretty good chance of being corrected.

 

Your baby is a good age for correction as it will try and pull it's legs under itself.

 

I find what I call the 'handcuff' method best.

1) obtain 2 plastic leg rings - size bigger than budgie (lovebird I think is next size up)

2) small piece about 2 inches long 1 cm wide of pantyhose (this length just because it is easier to work with)

3) tie pantyhose through leg rings & knot until there is approximately 1 - 1.5 cm distance between leg rings

4) cut off excess pantyhose

5) get plastic leg ring spreader (should get one with plastic leg rings) & spread wide the leg ring

6) position babies' leg in spreader and gently slide leg ring off spreader onto babies' leg.

7) repeat with other leg

 

The babies legs should now be close together. The baby will pull it's legs under itself with time & practice. Hold baby with it's legs under itself in your hand for a few minutes - this starts the muscle repositioning in the hip joints. If possible, put rough material/paper hand towels in bottom of box - if mumma budgie allows it put a whole bunch of inch sized stones in the bottom of box with the corners free for baby to sit in (this is necessary as if there were sibling it would use them to lean on.

 

You will need to get the baby out of the box at least twice a day for a good 5 minutes with it's legs in the correct position to train baby how to hold them.

 

This will be uncomfortabe for baby & it will not like it as repositioning of muscles is uncomfortable in the least.

 

The 'handcuffs' will need to stay on baby for at least a week. At the end of 7 days remove the rings using the steps I set out above but in reverse. Put the baby on a flat surfact and see what it does. If it's legs go into splay position again you will need to put the rings back on for 2 days at a time. Then recheck again.

 

The following is a photo of the baby I corrected yesterday:

 

 

 

 

Ultimately though, if you are not confidant of doing this yourself, always seek the services of a suitably qualified avian vet.

PM Karen. See has experience in this area. http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index.php?showuser=2138 http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index....wtopic=9667&hl=

 

Dear Karen, Thank you, thank you, thank you for the reply and especially the picture!!!I live in a rural small town, but we do have a vet who "does birds". He saved my cockatiel's life last year. I'm going to call him tomorrow if I can't find the bands. The baby actually looks better today. I put a paper towel folded like a cup in the nest box and a lot of Carefresh. His legs don't stick out to the side; they stick out in front, and today they are more underneath him.

 

I'm a little peeved at my friend who gave me the birds (she breeds them) and told me to put NOTHING in the nest box. I'm so glad I found this site where I can learn what I actually should be doing.

 

THANKS AGAIN, Holly