Skyye's Story

[Ringneckmom]

Many years ago I used to work for a bird shop. It was the baby time of the year and we were getting in babies for handfeeding. One of our breeders brought in some baby ringnecks that included a tiny baby that was severely crippled. I already had one female Ringneck at home with hip displasia, so I asked if I could give it a try with the baby. The baby was not even 10 days old - it had been squished under all its other siblings and if it had not been pulled when it was - it would have died.

He lived in a coffee mug lined with kleenex for quite a while as his leg was twisted backwards and lay flat against his body. I had to hold him by his lower jaw in order to even feed him as he could not even stand on his own two feet. As he got older, I was able to use "The Buddy System" to try to bring his leg around and under him. I kept bringing in his leg ever so slowly and after a while his leg came around enough to be able to use it. I was still working with him, but he was getting so ornery that he kept kicking off the wrap. I would put on a fresh tape bandage before I went to work and would come home to find him sccooting around without it. I would reapply it only to have him kick it off in a matter of a half hour. I finally took the hint and quit putting it on him. By that time he had his leg around more to the side of him and he could use it as well as trying to perch.
He went in to a cage that was longer than it was high with various perches for him to use. As he got older, I would go in to find him hanging from the top of the cage by his bad leg. As far as he knew he was normal and he was having a ball!

Skyye is now three years old and he is still my baby. He gets around very well in his cage and also now has a padded bed to lay down on when he so chooses. He is my miracle baby as we were not sure if he was going to live as well as the fact that if he had not been pulled when he was – he might not be alive today.

I have several other special babies at home, but none that had the problems that he did as a baby. I love each and every one and I would not give them up for anything in the world!

Skyye on his bed.



Enjoying some veggies.



Taking a nap.

[wildirish]

I remember reading about Skye! She is so pretty, love that teal blue!!!!!!

[TooLover]

What a beautiful baby, and what a beautiful story! Thanks so much for sharing!

[Ringneckmom]

Thanks Tammy and Toolover. It is an honor to be able to share my handi babies with other people that also have such Special babies in their lives.

[Imagemneye]

He is just beautiful Clara-and GOOD For You for giving him the chanch at the best possible life! He is Like Gemini-in that They dont even know that they are different:) I have a 12 week old Blue IRN now:) He is such a trip! I had a Quaker that was very splayed(he was another Miracle fid-a whole nother story)He also did not know he was different-Birds are SO Amazing with their adaptbility!

[Irish]

What a touching and wonderful story! What a lucky bird to have found you :-).

[Lisa B]

Clara, thank you for sharing Skyye's story!
I have always thought ringnecks are pretty. We cant have them here in Jersey, so I did have a statue of one
Its amazing how they adapt...
thank you for caring for him!!

[Lori]

Hi Clara

Thank you for sharing the miracle of Skyye!! I love happy endings - I'm so glad he found you.