Club feet budgie

[PalMilRic]

Hello, I would like to ask about my budgie. I got him yesterday (he is already eating and is in quarantine from my other 2 budgies), but he is still quite scared. The main issue is his legs (especially his right). I found on the internet it is called club feet leg (not sure about that), he basicaly steps on his ankle (I can attach photo later, I didn't want him to be stressed out by the phone). We went to a vet, he said there is nothing we can do about it, he is too old. He suggested different perches of course. But as I was spending time with him I noticed he has problems to eat from the bowl (as he cant stand properly on the bowl) and spends half of the time on the bottom of the cage (I also put some food there). Is there anything I can do for him? Anyone with the simmilar parrot? I would like to make everything easier for him. Maybe put something soft on the bottom of his cage, but I am affraid he would eat it or get stuck or tangled. Or bigger bowl would help? Or any specific type of perch? Any suggestions are welcomed. Thanks a lot

 

[Emma&pico]

And

you could use a flat perch feeding bowl for him

could have more flat perches

Could have ladders too to connect to flat perches

@April tour brill at remembering someone post a brilliant cage set up for a bird with one foot

@Shannan sure you have some brilliant ideas too

 

[Emma&pico]

Things like this

 

[April]

And

you could use a flat perch feeding bowl for him
View attachment 456202 View attachment 456203
could have more flat perches
View attachment 456204
Could have ladders too to connect to flat perches
View attachment 456205
@April tour brill at remembering someone post a brilliant cage set up for a bird with one foot

@Shannan sure you have some brilliant ideas too

Definitely would recommend a flat perch as well for feeding to make it easier or a swallow bowl on the bottom of the cage. You could use cardboard to stabilize the cage grate and cover it so his feet don't get stuck in it and possibly depending on his desire to chew cover the cage bottom in a smooth towel,blanket or even a pillow case depending on the size of the cage.
Here's 2 members that sadly don't post anymore but you can still search their threads to see more of their set up.

Pictures - Cage adjustments

I made some changes to Java's cage. I took out that large shelf that covered the upper portion of his cage. Took out most of the toys he wasn't using in case they were overwhelming him. Added more platforms and resting spots. Added a second bowl at the bottom of the cage that will be used...

forums.avianavenue.com

Yuna With One Foot-Some Perches And Boings To Get Around Easier-Video

Here is a short video of some of the flat perches I have given Yuna, to make getting around her cage easier. I also hang the boings a certain way. I curl the end around something solid, like a stable perch, so they do not move. She uses the thin white ones like vines. She loves that little...

forums.avianavenue.com

 

[Shezbug]

Definitely sounds like you need some platform perches for your little one and a more solid cover for the cage bottom like what April suggested (cardboard)

 

[Zara]

Cardboard is great for small birds with feet issues. Can be thrown when soiled and replaced easily (easily accessible).

Do you have a photo?
I have a lovebird with a closed foot. An issue that arises for us is redness where she puts her weight on the ankle bit. Not all perches work, even platforms etc the materials aren't all the same.

 

[PalMilRic]

Thank you all very much I will definitely try all the ideas, I already ordered some things you suggested. I put the cardbord on the bottom of the cage and covered it with fleece material cloth (I know we need to be extra careful not to chew on that, I check it constantly). He seems to like it very much

 

[PalMilRic]

Cardboard is great for small birds with feet issues. Can be thrown when soiled and replaced easily (easily accessible).

Do you have a photo?
I have a lovebird with a closed foot. An issue that arises for us is redness where she puts her weight on the ankle bit. Not all perches work, even platforms etc the materials aren't all the same.

I don't, he is still very scared and I only talk to him and change his water and food. Don't want to stress him out by taking photo yet I will pay attention for the ankle. I tried to cover the cardboard with fleece cloth (I check him constantly I know that chewing on that can be dangerous) and he seems to like it very much as it is soft.

 

[McBirdy]

You might want to try a plate on the floor of the cage so he can sit in his food for easy access.

Because I have a lot of birds in an aviary, I use an 11" stainless steel Korean plate so everyone can get access to their food. Some will perch on the edge and others will sit right in the middle of the dish.

It's really easy to clean too so I would suggest you find something similar in a size that'll fit in your cage

 

[Shannan]

Sorry I was so late to the game... overwhelmed with life lately. My African gray had mobility issues and so he spent much of his time on the floor of his cage. I took out the grate and lined the bottom of the cage with many layers of paper towels. It is easy to clean up as I would just pull up one layer of paper towel whenever he did his business and replace it with a new one. I also suggest platform perches and have many. Walter also did well with rope perches wrapped in vet wrap. For his food and water I had one set on the ground (under one of the flat perches so no droppings into the bowls) and I had another set up so that he could stand on the flat perch and easily reach the bowl. I hope this helps and we can't wait to see pictures (even from a distance)

 

[PalMilRic]

Thank you very much for all your help. I have already ordered flat perches also with bowls, but the shipping here takes a while. But he uses also normal perches even though he has a few of those flat in his cage. I finally took a picture, not very good one, he is still scared of me. you can see his left foot, he stands on his ancle most of the time.

 

[PalMilRic]

Sorry, I have one more question can you please help. As I mentioned before I bought a wooden board (on the bottom of the cage) and covered it with fleece. Today I searched the internet (tried to find a desk on the top of the cage once he will be out of the cage to be able to sit on the top) and found out there are emission classes for the wood. So even if he doesn't chew on it, it might be dangerous. The specific board/desk I bought is emission class 1 (E1), which is considered good for us, but for some budgies it can casue difficulties. The best is E0, but there is no way I will found it anywhere here in this country. Have you ever considered this? Maybe I am just overreacting, but it worries me that I could hurt him. Thank you in advance.