Handicapped CAG - Adaptation experiences to share?

punkindave · Mar 23, 2015

We have decided to adopt a 6 week old CAG (once he's weaned) and are wondering if anyone else had had any experience to share about how they setup their environment and handled a handicapped bird. Would also love to hear about any prosthetic stories.

Jake has just a stub of a right foot (joint and small part of the pad is there, no toes) and an the left foot, three of the four toes have been shortened so there is no nail (one toe is normal and unaffected) We believe that we would keep him fully flighted (as most of our flock) I am thinking his ability to climb and get around like a normal bird would be pretty challenging.

I have an excellent person that have smaller birds with this type of handicap and have offered some awesome advise, but would like to hear about any things tried by CAG (or larger) owners.

Bandespresso · Mar 23, 2015

How exciting! I've worked with two one-footers and a few that are missing toes and they are very good at adapting. You just have to keep your perches low and soft (lots of rope perches and swings and wrap some wooden ones with vet wrap), set up some "handles" that your bird can use to stabilize themselves as they switch perches. Also, make sure to cut their food into very small pieces since they can't hold and eat like most birds can. Here's a picture of Cali's set-up:

He has adapted so well that he climbs onto of his neighbor's cage to hang out while all the other birds go outside during the day (he has had a pretty terrible life and is unhandleable) and can even crack open an almond with enough coordination and determination!

punkindave · Mar 23, 2015

Good tips! I've seen Cockatoos that have one foot scoot around pretty well, CAgs in my experience are pretty klutzy (especially when babies). I'll keep the ropes and ramps low to prevent spills.

Has Cali ever had issues with sores or infections due to overuse of the "peg leg"?

Bandespresso · Mar 23, 2015

The other peg-legged bird I work with is a CAG named Tara and he gets around better than my two-legged CAG

Not since he was surrendered as far as I know. We have no idea how long he has not had a foot or anything about his life...he could be 70 years old and has only had one foot his whole life! As long as you keep everything soft and easy for them to maneuver without falling, your baby shouldn't have any problems with sores or anything of that matter. It will definitely get callusy and weird for a while just keep an eye on it. What happened to the poor little guy?

Kiwibird · Mar 23, 2015

I have no hands on experience with birds missing feet, but my mom's GCA had a stroke and it left him with quite a bit less mobility and feet that tend to curl. She gave him wider perches and a nightlight. He still gets around ok. Perhaps Jake would do better with wider perches and platform perches to make it a little easier for him to climb. Birds are actually very adaptable to disabilities, and I'd imagine having this issue from a young age means he'll have an even easier time adapting. Probably will one day be able to do everything every other bid can

punkindave · Mar 24, 2015

Bandespresso said:
...............
What happened to the poor little guy?

I was told an overzealous/inexperienced mother preening.

Handicapped CAG - Adaptation experiences to share?

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Congo African Grey Aziza's 5th Birthday party:

MICKEY hates his new cage! Maybe it's too big!

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