HerbieTheBip
Meeting neighbors
- Joined
- 8/18/19
- Messages
- 40
So, my aunt gave us a Cockatoo named Zoey. She's freaking adorable. Super sweet, cuddly, and loves Queen. She's 24 or 25 now.
My aunt got her half off because when she was a baby she broke her toe. The breeders didn't think she would ever be able to hold onto the perch well enough to be bred and descided to sell.
There are a few problems with Zoey, although she does not pluck. Her claws had not been trimmed inna very long time and so were super overgrown and curling. This caused footing issues especially combined with that broken toe that never got set.
She also has spent pretty much her entire life in a cage, even though she's had plenty of interaction as my aunt had 9 kids.
The life in the cage has led to some balance issues and strength issues. She has NO flight. None. Can't stress enough how rock like she is. That becomes a problem when she falls due to her balance issues, as she can not catch herself, or even flap to slow down. She does have full movement, so that's not an issue. She just has no muscle.
She is now in a mostly pelleted diet after 23 years on seed mix. She adjusted quite well and quite quickly, maybe because of the pretty colors. She has gained weight, although is still as light as my Orange wing Amazon chunk (who now hates my guts because of Zoey) even though she is much bigger than him. Her keel bone is still quite prominent, but I doubt that's because of lack of fat. I think it's lack of muscle.
My main question here is what could I add to her food to possibly help with the potential arthritis that's in her right foot, and how do I help her gain strength? Also foot and leg excersize would be good as well to strengthen that injured, unused foot.
Her claws are much better and she was totally not afraid of the toenail clipper. We are using controlled pet dremmel now because the pressure is too great to cut. I'd rather not have her be afraid of me touching her feet because I hurt her.
She also likes being held like a burrito. Just hands under her chest and around her wings. Happy little bird.
My aunt got her half off because when she was a baby she broke her toe. The breeders didn't think she would ever be able to hold onto the perch well enough to be bred and descided to sell.
There are a few problems with Zoey, although she does not pluck. Her claws had not been trimmed inna very long time and so were super overgrown and curling. This caused footing issues especially combined with that broken toe that never got set.
She also has spent pretty much her entire life in a cage, even though she's had plenty of interaction as my aunt had 9 kids.
The life in the cage has led to some balance issues and strength issues. She has NO flight. None. Can't stress enough how rock like she is. That becomes a problem when she falls due to her balance issues, as she can not catch herself, or even flap to slow down. She does have full movement, so that's not an issue. She just has no muscle.
She is now in a mostly pelleted diet after 23 years on seed mix. She adjusted quite well and quite quickly, maybe because of the pretty colors. She has gained weight, although is still as light as my Orange wing Amazon chunk (who now hates my guts because of Zoey) even though she is much bigger than him. Her keel bone is still quite prominent, but I doubt that's because of lack of fat. I think it's lack of muscle.
My main question here is what could I add to her food to possibly help with the potential arthritis that's in her right foot, and how do I help her gain strength? Also foot and leg excersize would be good as well to strengthen that injured, unused foot.
Her claws are much better and she was totally not afraid of the toenail clipper. We are using controlled pet dremmel now because the pressure is too great to cut. I'd rather not have her be afraid of me touching her feet because I hurt her.
She also likes being held like a burrito. Just hands under her chest and around her wings. Happy little bird.