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I have a baby parakeet that is 17 days old. It is growing, but seems to lay on it's back a lot. It's legs seem to just stick out on both sides. Is this normal? Today it has spent more time on it's stomach, but the legs still are not under it. It is growing and beginning to get feathers, but I am wondering if it might need therapy on it's legs.
Optional Information: Type of Animal: parakeetGender: unknownAge: 17 days Already Tried: Nothing, it has been too small to do anything.
HiCustomer
Thank you for using JustAnswer.com, I'm Dr. Dan and I'll try to help you.
What you are describing is splay leg (when the legs stick out). This is due to either a birth defect or more likely a nutritional defect. If you catch it early enough a vet can apply hobbles to the legs (similar to soft handcuffs) and help straighten the legs. If the bird grows too much then the legs become unable to be repaired. The best thing to do is to take this bird to the vet as soon as you are able to get this bird standing again. I hope this helps best wishes.
Dr. Dan
This bird has never stood. Would it help if I started hand feeding it so that it has proper nutrition or is it too late to do that?
NO it's not to late to start with proper nutriton. However just nutrition will not fix the problem you also need to have someone help you hobble the bird AND change the nutrition. If the parents are on all seed diets then hand feeding will be absolutely necessary.
Experience: 8 years of pet, wildlife, and zoo avian experience