Took baby quaker 2 out of the nestbox, I think he is splay legged, he is 7 days old today. Is there any way to correct the problem before he gets any older. He keeps rolling over and laying on his back, I think maybe thats the way his new parents have been sitting on him.

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Oh my...that's a pretty severe case of splayed legs...Let me look around in some sites...I think I've seen someone make splints to help correct it. But if I remember right it was done on chickens, I don't know if it will work on parrots...but it might. I'll get back to you Von in a PM if I find the article

Thanks Connie, I found 2 sites that showed how to make splints, going to store to get some facial sponges and medical tape.

Oh, poor little baby!

Back with our very first clutch of baby budgies we had this happen... three out of the four chicks all developed splayed legs. We worked with a couple avian specialists and designed splints for them but it was too late and it couldn't be reversed. We kept all three of them and they lived happily for a number of years. Since you already have the splayed Senegal you know how well they adapt, I don't think our budgies even realized they were different they just found their own unique ways to perch etc.

You could try making a splint and see if it will correct itself, hopefully it will... but unfortunately we didn't have any success with it.

Hugs and Good luck!

http://www.parrotparrot.com/splay/
http://www.cagenbird.com/splayed_leg.htm

Poor baby if you get it treated asap you could rectify the problem or at least make it a lot better...
Best of luck...

Thanks Majj, I found that site and Baby is unhappily wearing the sponge.Click to view attachment

I do hope that it's legs can be corrected....
I sure have been learning a lot just by studying and viewing what you have to deal with Von----You are remarkable to keep up with what is required for the babies....
Thanks for the latest and do hope the procedure you are using is effective....

aw poor baby. but he is so cute aint he!!! ill keep my fingers crossed the sponge does the trick!

Looks cruel but if you persisit you shouold get good results I had a friend that used the sponge on a budgie and he is doing fine now ..Good luck little fellow...

He wasn't happy about it at first, but has gotten used to it, will take it off in a couple days and if corrected enough will change the hobble to a bandaid so he can start walking.

I think my friiend kept her little guy in it for quite a few weeks..I haven`t read all the link I posted for you doe it say how long to keep the littltr guys immobile ..??? Best of luck anyway I know you will be doing all the right things..
Good night its late and I am sleepy...Hooray tomorrow is Saturday ...

Your right Majj, it says 1 week, so poor baby will have to wear it for a week.

I recall lots of folks remarking on here how they would like to try their hand at breeding.

Today I wonder how many have decided breeding doesn't sound like such a great idea anymore after following your journey in the past few weeks!

What an education we are getting. I can barely keep up with two very healthy and happy birds, much less take on the challenges you breeders have to deal with.

But having said that, what a blessing there are folks like Von out there that not only have the knowledge but also the compassion to do whatever it takes to help these babies.

My admiration to all of you who spend far more time and dollars than you get back in this breeding business. You will never hear me complain about the price of a hand raised bird. You definitely earn your money and my thanks!

Von, the only other thing I could find was a figure 8 hobble made from pipe cleaners... So I think you sponge thing will work just as well. Keep us posted. You're doing a fantastic job!

Thank you! And yes the last couple weeks has been a huge learning curve for me, even though I have been breeding tiels for over 5 years I had never had any problems. But if it weren't for my friends on the internet it might not have turned out so well. I am so greatful to all the people who have jumped in to research and offer their advice. And the support and votes of confidence have helped tremendously.



Thanks Connie...still chugging along

What a breath of fresh air to hear that!! It is nice to know that some people appreciate all the hard work breeders put into their birds. There isn't much money to be made when you're a small time breeder, that's for sure. But the rewards are endless I think sometimes people forget that if there were no breeders, there would be no birds. I'm sure most of us can agree that that would be a sad day indeed.

Von you have been doing a wonderful job with all your babies. Also finding the time to keep all of us at the forum updated as well! You are Wonder Bird Woman for sure!! It sure has been educational to follow the progress these guys are making I am learning so much just reading how you care for them. Of course I would see the education side as I am a kindergarten teacher. I have even showed the pictures to my class and they have enjoyed seeing them. Keep up the good work, Julie

Oh Julie!!! That is so cool! Thank you!!

I have this problem now wih three babies that one of my quaker's have had I wanted to know if it was to late to try the hobble out my birds are 17 days , 14 days and 8 days old and all three have splay leg's. The other three from this clutch are ok and I think this has happened because of the next size and because there mother never wants to leave them she ust sits all day can someone please help me??????????????????????

No I don`t believe its too late the earlier the better but if you are persistent even now they are still young enough for some improvment , any improvement is better than none...can`t hurt please give it a try..poor little babies...

As Majj said I don't think its too late. I pulled Squirt at 7 days. But after 2 weeks so far his are not any better so I am no expert. Although everything I've read says it can take a few weeks to correct it. I tried using the sponge for a week but it rubbed a sore on his leg. So I took a bandaid, cut it in half length wise and wrapped his legs in it, using the white bandage part as the separation of his legs. At least it doesn't rub and he can stand and walks around a little.

Thankyou so very much for your help, we have decided to try it I hope it helps them these little guys are so special to me I have decided that if they continue to have this problem I will be keeping them. I do not want to take a chance of them not getting the proper care. I will let everyone know how they are doing and I have pictures coming soon. The two oldest have a horrible case of splay legs I just hope they are not inany pain.

Click to view attachmentClick to view attachmentI have successfully come up with something for splay legged baby Quakers or any bird for that matter, I simply use rubber shelf liner and cut out a 2 inch oval with 2 little holes big enough to slide up on their legs, then with rubber tube lace for large whole beads( can be bought at Wal-Mart or craft store) made a slip-knot shackle for their above feet section. The shackle has to be tied in a manner where it only closes around the smallest part of the leg and it should slip down to knot and stop short of getting to tight, it has to be tied just right, it worked great, also use the bottom of a bathroom rug for there walking exercises, and use the bottom of a milk crate to practice perching, I corrected my baby 4 week old ones in one week, still have supports on them but as good as their doing it shouldn't take but a couple more weeks just to be sure that their legs are strong enough and corrections have been successful, here is my two 1 week after doing this method!

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5:Osama_029.jpg]Click to view attachmentI have successfully come up with something for splay legged baby Quakers or any bird for that matter, I simply use rubber shelf liner and cut out a 2 inch oval with 2 little holes big enough to slide up on their legs, then with rubber tube lace for large whole beads( can be bought at Wal-Mart or craft store) made a slip-knot shackle for their above feet section. The shackle has to be tied in a manner where it only closes around the smallest part of the leg and it should slip down to knot and stop short of getting to tight, it has to be tied just right, it worked great, also use the bottom of a bathroom rug for there walking exercises, and use the bottom of a milk crate to practice perching, I corrected my baby 4 week old ones in one week, still have supports on them but as good as their doing it shouldn't take but a couple more weeks just to be sure that their legs are strong enough and corrections have been successful, here is my two 1 week after doing this method! Keep in mind their legs were splayed completly left to right bottom of chest and rear touching floor!Click to view attachment We grew a garden this year and this is our parrot faced yellow lemon boy tomato, I found this a little strange with us raising birds and all!