Rescued IRN. Need ideas

[FairyMom]

Hey all, I posted the whole story in the Emergency section.

http://www.birdboard.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30326

and here is another post with pics. Warning:Graphic beak injury
http://www.birdboard.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30429

with that in mind I need ideas for houseing my new little IRN. I was finally able to get his cage last night(stepdad wouldnt bring it over) and I repositioned the only perch he has really low, mabey 2 inches off the bottom of the cage. After I put him in the cage thats the only place he wants to be. So what else can I put in? I was thinking ladders, some going straight across some and a very low angle so it would be easy for him to climb them. Mabey a really low rope perch since he is still haveing trouble useing the claw that lost a toe.

Also need ideas for toys for an IRN with a beak injury like this. Funds are tight, I wasnt prepared for this situation, so anything I could make at home or do really cheap would be excellent. TIA.

[Ringneckmom]

Hi Fairymom. How is Corona doing?

The rope perches you mentioned are a perfect idea as you can shape them in all sorts of ways - with one end near the bottom and the other end going a little higher up. Ladders are also a good idea. Another thing are the wire platforms that some of the petstores carry - kind of like a ledge with wire bars - it will give him another perch with plenty of room to perch and feel stable. I like to use them for my birds with leg problems and they use them frequently.
Right now I would say keep everything pretty low until he gets used to everything and feels more comfortable moving around. Try and make it as easy as possible for him to get around with perches being near so he can move around but at the same time not too crowded. Don't be too concerned if he stays low right now - I would too after everything he has been through. As he feels better and is more confident he will probably get around more.

As for toys you can do at home - get some of the plastic chain that is used in toys and some leather lacing and pony beads and string the pony beads on the lacing and through the chain so it sticks out and he can mess with thatif he wants to. The little plastic wiffle balls for golf are also good to string the lacing through. You can also add the plastic pacifiers and bells on as well. mine really like the shredders but right now he probebly won't be able to mess with that in terms of tearing it up. Some of the inexpensive Tiels toys may also work for him,
You will have to experiment and see what trips his trigger especially since he can't really chew on stuff. If he could chew I would definitely say the pinatas and shredders - mine love them.
I am sure some others will respond on here with things that their birds like also.
Let me know how he is progressing.

[FairyMom]

Hey Clara, I was hopeing you would reply :) Corona is doing extremely well. He is eating like a little piggy and being a begatha lol As soon as he see's his little red spoon(its a baby spoon) he is running to the door of his carrier for food. He ate double what he ususally eats at the last feeding last night so I made this mornings feeding larger and he ate almost all of it. He's becomeing spoiled. He wants to be right there with me when he isnt sleeping, either cuddled on my chest or perching on my shoulder.


Question, since he is staying low right now, would one of those corner cuddler fleece things be a nice thing for him? I've seen then at the store but never had a need for one befor now.

[Ringneckmom]

Aww - he sounds like he is going to be one spoiled little baby! I am glad you are bonding so well together and that he is eating so well. They are truly survivors and so much stronger than we would ever be in a situation like that.

I don't see why you couldn't try one of those cuddler things if you want to. He may love it - all you can do is try.

Thank you again for having the compassion to care for this sweet precious little bird.

[kimtoo]

I think a cuddler fleece is a great idea. The suggestion of a small platform is good too, I wove the plaited shredders through the wires of the platform to make it 1) more solid, and 2) softer (I have an IRN with an injured foot/leg).

Another thin that makes it easier in terms of the bad toe is larger diameter percehs--it is more of a flat surface instead of the bird having to grip.

Good luck. I am so pleased to hear that Corona is doing okay!

[Ringneckmom]

Hey Kim - I see 4 ringies in your siggie. Do you have a new addition? I thought I saw a post that said you had three. And what color is Skye? Is that blue or another color?

[kimtoo]

Sweetie is a new addition! He actually isn't home yet 2 more weeks...

Skye is some sort of blue. She is molting now and a bit of a mess but I am attaching the pic from the sig (lighted a tad) so you can see her color a bit better. You helped me out in the handicapped birds thread when Skye came to live with me!

[Ringneckmom]

It's hard to really tell, but looks like Skye is different from the normal blue. Maybe a cobalt or violet? If that is true then I am SO-O-O jealous!!! Glad I could help you with Skye - ironically my handicapped blue IRN is also named Skyye with 2 Y's.