Lisa Shea Forums Parakeets General Parakeet Chat first time bird owner and handicapped birds!! help

Hi! I just adopted two parakeets from PetSmart that were attacked by a rat that escaped! One is a very beautiful white parakeet that I named Harper and the other one is green with a pretty turquoise tail I named Tennessee. Harper had one leg amputated and Tennessee has both legs, but she can't grasp perches so she is on the bottom of the cage mostly. They are so cute because they stay together. I have only had them for 3 days and I know that when I put their cage cover on they fly around more and climb up the cage. I have also seen them both on the food bowl, so I am happy to see them getting used to the cage. I was just wondering if anyone had any advice on how I can make them more comfortable? I think Harper (with the one leg) will get on just fine, but Tennessee, who can't walk very well, I don't know what I should do to make things easier for her.... I put their little nest/private room, lol, on the ground and their toys and cuttlebone are touching the floor so they have easy access. I also put papertowel and newspaper on the floor so they have cushioning on the floor. Any advice would be appreciated. THANK YOU!!

You are terrific for taking these two in...they sound sweet. I know others with experience with handicapped birds will jump in with all sorts of ideas.

Two things come to mind. First you might try covering their cage on top, bottom, sides, leaving only the front open. This will make them feel more secure while getting used to their new surroundings.

Also they make platforms just for handicapped birds. You might try google.

Sorry I couldn't be more help! I love the names you gave your keets!

Kathy

Ditto to Cyberbud's advice & welcome! The only thing I can think of to add is that there are "foot toys" which might be easier for them to play with (Harper with her beak & Tenn. with a foot or beak) than some other toys that require them to climb up the cage bars. The "porcupine ball" in this pic is along the lines of what I mean: http://www.birdyboredombusters.com/images/big_foot.jpg

http://www.birdontherocks.com makes some awesome flagstone perches, all my birds love them and they are great for handicapped birds because they can sit on them without having to grip them. And they are offering free shipping on orders over $50 for a while

Thank you so much! I appreciate it!

Thanks everybody for the advice! I never thought I could fall in love so fast with these birds! I have them out on the ground right now while I do my computer stuff. I also held them a little bit and Harper is a talker and a little more feisty than Tennessee. Do you know how long it takes before they start getting excited to see you? Thanks again for the information!

Hi just found this thread. We have a budgie with an amputated leag, we named Hopalong! He is able to climb ladders so I have one hooked on tha top perch and he gets up there and sits proud. The other ladder has rungs close together and it goes to the cage wall and I put his millet up near the top so he goes up for the millet and rests on this ladder. I put a rope perch in as low to the floor grate as possible with out laying on it and he uses it alot. I have a small double folded fleece for him to lay on and he does use it when his one foot gets tired he lays down! He is very happy and proud to have a home. We got him from Petco. I tried keeping other birds with him but they all stepped on his tail and pecked at him and pushed him off the perches. So he has a nice big cage and they have to double up. They had a chance and a choice, darn budgie bullies. He is very healthy other wise. I would love to see pictures of yours!
They are probably getting used to you by now!
You can find platforms made of the same material as cages and fairly cheap at a local pet store. Ladders work well. Just place them low the floor.

hey i also adopted a challenged p-keet from petsmart! welcome !!!
i saw another bird that had NO feet at all, and they kept it in a fish tank! with the fine walnut shell bedding, and the p-keet loved it's home. also had a little felt bedding like a cave to cuddle up to. the fish tank was roomy and long, they got it for free on craigslist and cleaned it up and put the lid on incase it took flight! anyhow, i suppose you can hang toys too cause it will want to use its beak still for playing
too cute, i want pics
my bird toasty is challenged but he is doing great. he has a permanently fractured wing so he cannot fly at all, he twitches constantly on that side too. anyhow i hope this helps, i think a fish tank would be totally safe. and then the bird can see out from its level cause cages have a few inches on the floor of plastic before you can see out.
and i know this bird that they have in their fishtank is VERY HAPPY!!!!!
GOOD LUCK PKEETER

tealcandtina I had a question for you! I just looked in the cage and Harper (one leg) is lying down. I haven't seen her do this before. She is usually really nervous when I put my hands near the cage and moves away, but she doesn't move much. She looks alert though. Do you think this is normal and she is just tired and resting? Or is something wrong?

They have to lay down to rest that one foot! Usually birds tuck one in to rest it and stand on the other....If she is alert and gets up soon to hop around and eat or her normal routine she is probably fine. If you can handle her take her out and look her over. Does her scar look good? No blood or swelling or pus? How does her foot and leg look? Is she able to grasp your finger with her foot? Is she feisty when you picked her up? Hopalong moves darn fast for a one legger and I have to move quick to catch him!
If Harper seems ok in these areas just keep and eye on him.If he is not looking good then keep him warm.

If he is with another bird move him now. Guess I should have asked first, is he with another bird? Hopalong was with the nicest keet we have and this keet was stepping on his tail and pecking him and pushing him off the perches and not letting him eat. That might be the problem. See in the wild one leggers would not be there. They are not healthy and would be killed by the others.

I am up tonight so let me know what you find out if you check him out tonight. I wish vets were open 24/7!