Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 5/20/2007

Question
My budgie seems to have injured feet - she can move them slightly but one toe
sticks up in the opposite direction. She climbs with her beak, can still fly, etc.
There are no avian vets here  - I padded her cage and keep her in - her perches
are easy to reach and she is warm - can this heal on its own or do I really need
to have her splinted? I heard it is painful for them. Thanks!

Answer
Hi, Rose.

It depends on what the problem is/what's causing the problem.  Is it the toe only or the entire leg?  Are you referring to splay leg?  I wouldn't "split" any part of this birds feet until/unless you know what the problem is and that splinting will fix it.  With splay leg, it's necessary to hobble the bird's leg(s), but this has to be done when the bird is less than 2 weeks old in order to be effective.  You need avian veterinarian assistance with this in order to determine what the basic problem is before you treat the wrong way and cause more problems.  Visit www.aav.org and see if you can find an avian vet close to you.

Chrys