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Birds--General/Indian Ringneck

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Expert: - 4/28/2007


Question
Hi,
I have just adopted a 4 month old Indian Ringneck that was rescued as a baby and hand reared.  He is a beautiful boy but was attacked by mice when in the breeding box in an aviary.  He has recovered well but in the attack lost a few claws and also had all of his tail feathers damaged and broken.  I was wondering if I needed to do anything special for his feathers?  Also his claws are growing back fine but one is a yellowish brown in colour.  Could this be infected?
Thanks.

Answer
Hi, Bec.

The damaged and broken tail feathers will molt out and new feathers will grow in.  If this bird is about 4 months old, he should molt at about 6 months old.  There isn't really much you can do about them right now.  The yellowish brown nail could be an infection.  Keep an eye on it and if you see any swelling, pus/discharge, etc., get the bird to a certified avian vet quickly for a medical evaluation.  This could be the natural color of the nail as it is growing back in, but just in case it isn't, watch closely and take action if necessary.  If the bird starts favoring that foot/leg, then the bird definitely needs to be seen by a vet.  Mice (rodents) carry lots of diseases, so keep a good eye on the overall health of this bird, especially since he is still young (doesn't have a fully-developed immune system yet).

Chrys

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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