Deformity??

[Canadiana]

My Boyfriend surprised me by bringing home a 3month old baby parrotlet that I had eyed a few days ago. I was so excited to add the little one to the family! But upon taking a closer look, and having her perch on my finger, I noticed that she had a hard time staying perched. both inside back toes seem to be shorter than normal. (Compared to my other 5 month old parrotlet). Does anyone know if this Toe "deformity" will affect the bird tremendously? Or if anyone has heard of any avian diseases that is the equivallent to the human illness rickets? Is that even possible in birds? We need to make a quick decision about if she should be returned and exchanged or if we can keep her and still have an otherwise healthy althought sometimes tipsy little feathered friend. She is smaller than what my other parrotlet was at that age... Sometime she also seems like she is expecting to be hand fed... but she does eat her food. Does anyone have any much needed advice or recommendations??

I would really like to hear someone else who love's birds' opinions!!!!

[skthurley]

My Jack was housed too long with his clutch mates and other P'lets at the time, and before the breeders were able to get everyone separated, one bird lost a leg, and Jack lost 3 toe nails on one foot and one on the other, plus his back was overpreened. 2 1/2 months later his feathers are all grown in, but not his toenails. He was bitten too close to the skin, and if you look closely, you can tell they won't ever grow back in. He has no problem perching on his rope perches, but I have to be careful at the wider wood perch that I bought him. Because he can't fully wrap his feet around it, I've noticed him slip a bit. So I took out the wooden perch, hacked at it with a knife to create a rougher surface.... rubbed it with sandpaper a bit to avoid him from getting any slivers, then put it back in his cage and he's fine now. No slipping. I also just recently starting teaching Jack to hang upside down on my finger. As much as he loves hanging upside down, I've noticed he has difficultly doing this on my finger. This is where his lack of toenails come in. His one foot he can hold on well, but with the foot that only has one toe nail, he struggles to keep a good grasp. So I've opted to not use my finger, but a thinner wooden dowel that he can wrap his feet around. This works wonders.

So having a bird with essentially no toe nails on one foot hasn't caused too many problems. I just need to ensure he doesn't have smooth perching surfaces and be careful when teaching him to hang upside down off thicker perches that he can't wrap his feet completely around.

If you're really concerned, do take her to a vet, and get her checked out. Or, take her back and get a different bird.

It's really up to you. When I met Jack at the breeders, i noticed right away that he was missing toenails, and that they likely would never grow back in, but he also was perching easily on my finger, and climbing happily all over my shoulder. I could tell he wouldn't be hindered. So I took him home and he's been great and easy to care for. I just got to watch for the things I mentioned above.

ANother thing I wanted to add: When i was on the hunt for a parrotlet, my friend (who was buying me one as a gift) contacted a local breeder. We went to meet the P'lets she had available and I fell in love with this young little male. he was definitely younger than his siblings and very cute. I wanted to take him home, but was concerned about one thing. He seemed very unsteady on his legs and walked a little funny. I asked the breeder if something was wrong with him, and she said he was just younger than his sisters, having hatched later and was just not as developed yet as the females. He was also no longer being handfed. After some time, my friend and I decided not to get him. I had fallen in love with him, but i was worried he might be sick. You see he also had a slightly overgrown beak. My friend just didn't want me to start off with the possibility of having a sick bird. So off we went to Exotic Wings and Things. A petstore that specializes in exotic animals, in particular, birds. They breed their own birds and spend a lot of time socializing their babies. It was there that I found Jack. I don't regret walking away from that little guy at the breeder. Jack really has been a sweetheart. He's healthy and his lack of toe nails doesn't slow him down. I definitely made the right choice.

As for you little girl. Do what you feel you should. And if you decide to take her back, don't feel bad. If you keep her, keep an eye on her and make sure she's progressing well. No slippery perches! :D

[lily]

My bird was missing most od her toe nails when I got her, but her toes are the right length. At 2 1/2, she now has 6 toenails, although some are still "buds". I can't think of anything to add to skthurley's advise. Perhaps not having a good grip has contruibute to my bird's plucking-- as a security issue, but that is not proven.

[Canadiana]

Thanks skthurley and Lily! I appreciate the info and how you both explained your experiences. After holding her and observing her movements almost all night we made the hard decision to bring her back. Most of her little toes were curled sideways, almost like like she would later have rolled ankles (not as severe as that image but that's the direction the toes were going in.) It was very sad to let her go especially when this little fragile girl would sit in her food bowl (since she couldn't perch on it) and eat and stare at you from above the rim. Thanks again for the advice!