Last Updated on by Mitch Rezman
From Donna E.
question: I have recently been given a parakeet with a splayed leg.
He eats and flys but he’s not very active and basically just sits in one place for long periods of time, especially if another keet doesn’t land next to him to get him moving.
He doesn’t climb much, I’ve never seen him chewing any of the many toys.
I worry his leg is painful, thus he hesitates to move?
Any advice?
MitchR responds
Spraddle leg aka splay leg in chicks can be caused by a few factors.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI1WuD6CRPo
If the breeder doesn’t put enough bedding material into the breeder box the chicks may not get enough cushion so the mother hen may sit on the baby too hard.
This would apply as well – How To Set-up A Handicapped Galah Parrot Cage.
The chick’s feet might also get caught up underneath its own body along with the additional weight of other chicks and splayed feet can occur.
It is treatable early on but if left unchecked the bird will get to the point where it must live with a handicap.
Plenty of flat perches low in the cage will instill your bird with confidence.
Lorraine H. asks:
When my keet was born, her legs are far apart, I call her stretch.
We looked it up and it said, get a rubberband small put a straw in the middle and put her legs in it, to get them closer.
We tried, but every band is to big.
Please help us.
Or should we just leave her.
She is happy, eats everything. We have her in our room. She calls for the other birds but I fear they might hurt her.
We have a room, in cages, finches, cocktails , one love birds and parakeets.
Thank you for your help
Sincerely
Hi Lorraine,
Here’s an alternative to using a band for splayed leg treatment.
Hope that helps
Best
MitchR
Handicapped Bird Videos Or What Our Birds Teach Us About Disabilities
Author Profile
Latest entries
Bird & Parrot CareDecember 21, 2024Decoding Parrot Behavior: The Biting Chronicles
Bird Cage InfoDecember 21, 2024Yes, the Size and Variety of Perches in Your Bird’s Cage
Bird & Parrot AnatomyDecember 21, 2024What Are Problems Having a Pet Bird at Home for the Holidays?
Biting BirdsDecember 14, 2024How Do I Get My Parrot to Stop Biting Me?
