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Post by Africanewbie on Nov 26, 2005 3:46:46 GMT -7
What do you mean his toes are not situated right? The feet wraps around the perch or fingers in the proper manner but are just not positioned symetrically correct, is this what you mean?
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Post by Jane on Nov 26, 2005 4:04:06 GMT -7
I can't speak for lbethharris but with Monty his toes will sometimes point in the wrong direction and I am assuming that is what is happening with Jake.
Jane
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Post by Africanewbie on Nov 26, 2005 8:13:06 GMT -7
Hello Jane, I am just curious to know whether this problem is on both of Mounty's feet or just one and if it is, is it the ring foot?
Sometimes breeders forget to ring in time or it was done too early allowing the ring to fall off. A day or two late makes a lot of difference in the chicks' growth. By then the toes will have to be forced through the ring with the aid of vaseline or something similar. In doing so the toes sometimes get disjointed and will eventually heal showing no deformities but the toes will never have the strength. In smaller birds like finches and canaries the back toe will either point straight back and does not bend to grasp the perch or the toe will curl forward under the front toes and the bird will have no other choice but to stand on it which makes that foot practically useless.
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Post by Jane on Nov 26, 2005 9:52:17 GMT -7
It is both his feet although one is slightly worse than the other. He hasn't got a ring and he has been like it ever since he was a baby. His feet look normal but there are several things he has problems with such as walking on a flat smooth surface, perching, climbing and using his feet to hold food. In fact he didn't use his feet to hold food at all until two or three years ago and he still can't manage very well.
Jane
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Post by Africanewbie on Nov 26, 2005 19:08:25 GMT -7
Poor Monty, it must have been just as frustrating for him not being to able hold things like it would for us if we had lost the use of our fingers. GLad to know he overcame his limitations.
You can strengthen his grib by using a 1 to 2 inch cord or a tightly wrunged towel. Hold each end with a hand and get him stand in the middle. Because the cord is flexible and unsteady it will cause Monty to tighten his grip. When he becomes more comfortable you can gently swing him back and forth which will make him grip even tighter. You can lower one end and encourage him to climb to the higher end which he may do on his own anyway.
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lbethharris
Weaned Todd
Jake
Joined: October 2005
Posts: 63
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Post by lbethharris on Nov 27, 2005 3:52:42 GMT -7
Yes, I mean he puts his toes wrong. sometimes instead of the middle toes on the front and two outers on the back he'll put 3 on the front or just make a fist with them and not grip at all.
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Post by Jane on Nov 27, 2005 4:03:51 GMT -7
That is exactly like Monty. Also Monty can't walk forwards along a perch, he has to step sideways.
Jane
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Post by Africanewbie on Nov 27, 2005 5:08:38 GMT -7
I guess Jake will have to learn to overcome his disability like Monty did. Instead of changing perches maybe you should continue to use the perches that he is comfortable and confident with until he is older. I wonder if there prosthesises available to correct foot ailments like this.
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lbethharris
Weaned Todd
Jake
Joined: October 2005
Posts: 63
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Post by lbethharris on Nov 27, 2005 20:00:55 GMT -7
Can he overdose from chewing on the calcium perch?? It is my understanding that they can overdose on supplements but I don't know how strong this perch is.
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Post by Jane on Nov 28, 2005 2:25:23 GMT -7
Is he actually eating it or just demolishing it? Certainly with natural cuttlefish bone it is unlikely because the calcium in it is poorly absorbed, only about 2% of the amount eaten is actually absorbed whereas the specially formulated supplements that go in food or water have to be administered with care.
Jane
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lbethharris
Weaned Todd
Jake
Joined: October 2005
Posts: 63
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Post by lbethharris on Nov 28, 2005 16:42:18 GMT -7
He is eating it. He has slowed down alot but he still nibbles. There are no remains from it anywhere in the cage so I am guessing he is eating it.
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Post by agmommy on Dec 1, 2005 14:28:02 GMT -7
Well I must say... I weaned sydney, and I allowed her to fledge/fly for 3-4 weeks. before I gradually started trimming her wings, 1-2 feathers on each side at a time so she could adjust slowly. She is still a clumsy baby at 6 months of age but what grey isnt right? AND she is missing one toe... but she still does just fine on perches....
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