bfa

[will]

We just aquired a young male bfa approx 4 years old, today. He is a rescued bird we will call Yogi. The problem Yogi has is rather unusual but i'm sure you guys can offer some suggestions. Yogi's left foot is missing a toe and his right foot is missing a toe and he also has a broken (I'll call it the grip or thumb toe) that was never fixed. He was the victim of sharing a cage with a Macaw. He does fine with his problems but he does fall off his perch from time to time. My question is should I get him a wider perch? If any of the experts out there can hook me up with some ideas Yogi and I would greatly appreciate it. He also doesn't make a sound which i find rather unusual for a bfa. I'm curious to see if we can make him more comfortable without falling he can get the rest he needs and eventually come around.....

 

[Bobby34231]

Hi Will and welcome to the forum, I would try getting him a few perches of varying sizes and let him choose whats most comfortable for him, as far as not making any noise, you stated you just got him, I'd give him some time to settle in and get used to his new environment, there may come a time when you'll look back and cherish these quiet times, enjoy your stay

 

[Pheonix Rising]

I agree with Bobby and it's probably just a setteling in thing as far as no noise

As far as falling off the perch could you possibly make a hammock or such like to hang just above bottom of cage so he has a soft landing should he fall
last thing this poor fellow needs is a broken wing or such

So glad you decided to rescue and even more thrilled that you took on the under dog so to speak
makes you a top person in my eyes and I wish more people would

Ps welcome

 

[will]

wow, thank both of you for the fast response.....and good ideas. Any others keep em coming. We will keep the forum up to date on Yogi's progress... He's the man!

 

[cnyguy]

You might try some braided fabric perches like the Booda Comfy-perch; sometimes they're easier for a parrot to grip when he/she has foot trouble. Having a variety of perch sizes and textures is good for parrots in general.

 

[Von1983]

Welcome to the forum!

Congrats on your new fid!

I don't think I can contribute anything to the great advice already given to you except to maybe consider bird safe wooden ledges if things get extreme. I don't think that's likely though!

Enjoy your stay here!

 

[SharonC]

I agree with having several perches. Fred, my YNA, sometimes falls as well...His feet are perfectly normal. I just assumed it was clumsiness...

 

[wildheart]

I also have a girl that only has one functional leg and she is VERY clumsy. After trail and error I have found that the best way I could help her was by placing LOTS of perches in and around the cage. The perches are over one another and it criss-crosses. I also have ropes with knots that are tight to several perches and the top of the cage. She holds on to the ropes with her beak when she climes to another perch.

 

[bogo1]

I agree with Linky. I have cared for a floppy parakeet who had a tough time staying on perches and feet. I would not recommend a hammock for floor. (Sorry PR) because these birds need to be able to push up using hard floor and cage side or a nearby perch. So, Yeah, perches everywhere. It is especially important to look at perch structure near food and water (and make certain!!!!!! that the water bowl can not be fallen into by a bird that is pitching forward in a moment of unbalance). I would put one perch next to bowls that Skye could brace her chest against and still reach food or drink water. Then, the second perch is only about a centimeter behind it and about a centimeter below it... like the uneven parallel bars. Use measurements logical for your bird's species (Skye was a very small keet.) Also, Skye liked to sleep in a "nest" of sheepskin that I placed in a heavy bowl for a base and then rigged a perch nearby for easy egress. The sheepskin gave her traction to get in and out. Of course a larger bird might think that the sheepskin was there for the bird's shredding enjoyment, so you'll have to experiment a bit. Before she was so fragile that she used the nest, she used to go to a place in her cage where several perches converged and prop herself on them to sleep. Good luck with all this and welcome to the forum.