new bird with bad foot

[Lisa B]

yes, Gerber baby foods can be given, tho they dont have all the nutritional values our birds need. Many times it is givne to sick birds, because that is all you can get in them. However, when mine was sick, I thought I was doing great by offering him all kinds of baby foods and fruits/veggies to "hopefully" pack the weight back on. I got a lecture from the vet, that while its good to see me going thorught such great lengths to feed him, actually hand raising formula was better to pack on weight. I use harrisons juvenile.

I do have gerber baby food in my home at all times, in the event of an emergency(broken beak) and syringes. I often give my guys treats through a syring so they are not afraid of them.i also keep gerber baby juice in my house for emergency. They come in the handly little travel size. I check expiration dates often. In the event of an emergency you can grab one and throw it in your purse and GO.

birds do not need to use thier feet to eat, so if her bowl is higher, she might be just as comphy. none of my disabled birds could use any portions of thier feet to hold food, and they did just fine with comfort perches and higher food bowls.

[tielfan]

Maybe use some kind of clip to hold bigger food pieces in an easy to reach place? She'd probably enjoy having some big chunks to chew on even if she can't hold them herself.

A kebab like the one at http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...pc=1&N=0&Nty=1 might also be useful if you can secure the bottom end so it doesn't swing around too much.

[kimtoo]

thanks guys, these are great suggestions. I am going to raise her food dishes, Lisa-what do you mean by "comfort perch"?

[CALVINS MOM]

Originally Posted by kimtoo

Thanks for the reply and advice. Do you know how your friends bird handles eating? What does your friend do to make the food more managable for her fid? I am thinking maybe cooked meals and smaller pellets for a start...I watched her deal with an apple last night and it seemed like as long as I give her a big enough piece, she eats from the top and manages okay. Egg was okay too as it doesn't require holding to tear it or break it open.

Any advice on diet that can be eaten without a foot to hold it in would be appreciated!

She has an appointment with the vet later this week....

I believe she cuts up her fresh foods into small pieces. She also feeds the Hagan Tropican Large (which is actually a small pellet). I believe she offers dried papaya. My thought is this: I have Ekkies that refuse to hold their food. I feed everything "whole" - in other words, so that they can eat it like we would bite into an apple. I do not cut it up. I find less waste and they eat the entire item, whether it be a huge chunk of fresh papaya, half of a sweet potato, or a crown of broccoli, etc. This would probably work well for your new fid.

[Lisa B]

Originally Posted by kimtoo

thanks guys, these are great suggestions. I am going to raise her food dishes, Lisa-what do you mean by "comfort perch"?

I tried to look it up on the net, and do I feel old!!!!
I cant find whta I am referring to, but I did find a similar picture of one. the one I am talking of is a wooden dowel that is flat on 2 sides. Here is a picture of one that is flat on one side. It was marketed at a "comfort Perch"

[Ringneckmom]

I have several birds with foot disabilities to include 2 ringnecks and 1 plumhead. My birds eat fine without having to use a foot to hold their food. You just have to make sure that you have food in smaller sizes so that they don't have as much trouble eating it.

My plumhead has sort of the same problem that your bird does as he gets around on the ankle of his leg also.
I have him in a lower cage and I try to make sure the perches are of different sizes and textures so that he can get exercise for his feet and also so that he can comfortable grip with his good food.
My two severe ones also have a flat platform in their cages that they can lay on to relieve their good legs.


They actually get along really well - you would think they weren't even handicapped. You will just have to pay attention to your bird and figure out what works best for her.

[kimtoo]

thank you! I was going to pm you tonight (amanda rec'd I talk to you).

I appreciate your input. She did pretty well with a variety of foods today, I moved the bowls up a bit higher and crumbled or chopped things fairly small. She seems eager to eat just about anything. she was on all seed and that may have been difficult too.

she also seems to be brightening up a bit (in spirit) and is vocalizing a lot more...:)

[Ringneckmom]

Grrrr!!!! I had this whole thing written up and then my explorer went down. Argghh!

Lost it all. Anyway if you have anyone that can make a padded platform for her to lie on that would be a good alternative to lying on the floor if they want to get off their feet. My Skyye does it all the time. You may have to figure out the placement of it, but hopefully she will get used to it and use it.

As for a playpen, Blue Ribbon (I think) has one that is similar to the bottom of a bird cage. It is very easy for my guys to get around on when they are out since it resembles a cage.

As for the handling part - let her just get used to you for a while and then slowly try to work with her. My plummy is also very frightened of hands and will bite out of fear. He does not seem to do as bad with being toweled though. I have just started to get him out and work with him. I towel him and then spend maybe 10 minutes holding, talking to him, and petting him while he is in the towel and then he gets out on the playpen.
Just be patient and go slowly - she may never be real handleable or cuddly, but then again you never know. You just have to take it one step at a time and sometimes it takes several years before you may really have a cuddly bird or one that like to be handled anyway.

Here is my plummy Little Man (I didn't name him)


Closeup of his foot.


And my baby Skyye. Not a good picture, but you can see how his leg does.

[kimtoo]

your baby is beautiful! thank you for the advice. I am going to work on padding a platform tonight and see how she accepts that.

if she never decides to be a cuddle bird it is okay. I just want to be able to get her in and out of her cage, to a stand, and safely handle her when necessary. Last night she let me set a piece of birdy corn bread in front of her without scrambling to get away. It's progress.

thanks again and please continue to pass on anything you think might be helpful. kim

[Ringneckmom]

Thank You.
Sounds like you have a good start. Just keep doing what you are doing and give her time to get used to you and trust you.
Food is a good bribe with Ringies!

Just so you know don't be surprised if she is not too happy with the padded platform - it took Skyye a while before I saw him use it.