help love bird with crazy legs!!

[arkansas_chick]

on saturday i bought 4 love birds for my daughters birthday, 2 parent birds and 2 babies still in the nest. I didnt pay much attention to the babies at the time, as they were inside a nest box. Gave them a couple days to adjust to the move, and last night i got them out. Well they are completely feathered out, but no clue of their age, the mother is still feeding them, and the bigger one has one crazy leg that goes off to the side, but he was still get around, hes been exploring out side the box for the last 2 days. But the smaller one can not move at all, her poor little legs , one sticks straight up and the other straight out, what do i do!!!! i called our vet and he said theres nothing he can do for them, some one please tell me theres some thing i can try! thanks so much for any and all help

 

[Elite Silkies]

You may try making some splints for the legs. You could use ace bandages. Or some small sticks and and sport tape.

 

[arkansas_chick]

i googles splints just now, i saw that they have "splayed legs" and all of the splints i saw were for babies 2 weeks old and younger, wonder if theyre too old to fix it? cant hurt to try i guess

 

[NanaKat]

Please post a photo of the chick's legs. I raise lovebirds and can offer some help both with the leg and with giving you an age for the babies. I have had to devise a splint for a baby before and there are several different methods used for different aged birds. If the chick is older than three weeks and the splayed leg is too far apart, then a vet will be necessary.

I'm also a flock leader on a lovebird forum where good advice can be found and where you can research some emergency care for your baby. hope it's okay to post this link: http://www.lovebirdsplus.com/community/index.php

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

If the babies are still young enough...he/she can be helped. The legs may not be perfect but usable. Photos will help a bunch. Good Luck.

 

[arkansas_chick]

ok i took some pictures, working on posting them, thanks so much, by the way i asked my vet and he said he could possibly refer me to another vet but that he doesnt deal with birds...ugh..

 

[arkansas_chick]

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

Hi, I was hoping the babies would be younger. You can still try though - the thing is...at this age they are not as fixable as they might have been three weeks ago. Can his legs be moved in such a way that they look near normal - without casing the sweet little thing pain? If it's uncomfortable when you are trying to reposition his legs...you may need to consult and avain vet.

 

[arkansas_chick]

you cant easily push this ones legs back in place, it starts to squirm as if in pain and i just stop. The other one is not as bad and he/she can climb all over the cage just cant walk on the bottom. the one in the pic can eat fine, but cant walk, it can stumble around and get where it needs to go, which is more than i had figured it would be able to do. I put it at the feed and water several times a day then put it back when its finished eating and drinking but just feel so sorry for the poor little thing!! i wish that i could help it some how.

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

Years ago, I think I saw a set up in Bird Talk magazine for handicapped birds such as yours. It involved padded surfaces etc. I'm so sorry, I know it must be hard on you to know that there is not much you can do for the little creature.

If you decide to let the parent birds breed and raise babies again. It's important that they have enough pine shavings in the bottom of the nesting box so that the babies have enough traction and can learn to walk on and use and strengthen their legs as they grow.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.