Last Updated on February 16, 2023 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