My two parakeets I'm had for at least six years recently decided to lay eggs and at first I thought they were just infertile, but turns out 2 weeks later 4 hatch and now I have 4 little baby parakeets. All of them in the last month have grown and got all thier feathers in and waddle around the cage.
All but the last baby parakeet to hatch, she is always flat on her stomach and her feet stick straight out the side of her. She tries to stand up but it's like she has no knees just legs, she can't bend them. I never having baby birds before have no clue what to do or know what is wrong. Does anybody have any clue?
Thanks
2006-11-08 09:03:25 · 6 answers · asked by KatKnife 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
Birds, just like people, are incredibly versatile creatures even when crippled. It could be that she's got splayed legs and perhaps some bone fusion, but you won't know unless a vet takes a look. You'd definitely want to adopt out the little one to a special home who has the patience to deal with her defect. Continue keeping an eye on her and feed her as you would the others. She will need her wings unclipped as she grows into an adult as her legs can't keep her up. She'll be using her wings a lot to keep her balance and to keep up with her clutch mates.
She should be okay. If she has splayed legs, the vet will teach you how to make a splint. She'll have to have her legs taped together until she can stand on her own. I wouldn't do this on your own until a vet takes a quick look. Splayed legs CAN be corrected and it's usually pretty easy to do. If it's a birth deformity, she will need some extra help. Keep several layers of newspaper on the bottom of the cage and make sure her food and water bowls are where she can reach them without climbing. Some birds do learn to climb even with deformed feet. Keep all her toys on the bottom of the cage so she doesn't have to work to get to the fun stuff. Because she'll be on the bottom of her cage, her cage will need more cleaning as she can't climb to get out of the bird poop and stuff on the bottom.
Overall I wouldn't worry too much. Sometimes young birds like your crippled baby won't live very long due to internal deformities. At the same time, many birds do live happy healthy lives, despite broken or missing limbs. Good luck! I'd love to breed budgies one day!
2006-11-08 19:39:10 · answer #1 · answered by white_ravens_white_crows 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm really sorry about this. It sounds like she could have had a spinal injury in the process of hatching or shortly thereafter. If this is the case, euthanasia is probably the most humane course of action.
Try keeping her warm & hand feed her often (a lot of my sick birds have done really well after being under a basking lamp for a day or two). If she shows no sign of improvement, you should take her to an avian vet.
I'm really sorry & hope its just a case of her just getting a slow start. Good luck!
2006-11-08 19:57:23 · answer #2 · answered by emvannattan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if the baby can get about and can eat there is no need to worry, it does not look good I know but unless the bird is sick I certainly would give it the best chance in life and not have it put to sleep.
I could be a deformity or splayed legs
2006-11-09 21:12:22 · answer #3 · answered by scotty lad 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bring it to a vet. If she can't get around, then she needs to be euthanized. If she can get around and you are willing to care for her for her entire life, then ask how you can make life easier for her.
2006-11-08 17:19:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
u could take her 2 the vet?
2006-11-08 18:19:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont know what is wrong maby you should take it to a vet and try to get it help
hope i helped....good luck....
2006-11-08 17:10:19 · answer #6 · answered by meat_loaf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋