My parrots foot

[tacotaco]

When I went to the store to pick out my Nanday, Charlie I noticed his 2 front toe nails grew very weird. Since it was kind of love at first sight I didn't let it change my mind about buying him. I had 15 days to check him out with a vet and make sure things were okay enough to keep him. Well, my vet told me that his nails grew this way because of possible damage when he was born or when he was very young.. I feel sorry for Charlie because I know that it's hard to grasp on to a lot of things. When he stretches out each wing and has to hold on with this "handicap" foot, i see him struggle to hold on sometimes. The vet told me to keep the 2 back nails longer so he has a little better grip with those. Also, he recommended thinner bars in his cage. Charlie has adapted really well though, he is very happy and climbs all over. In the middle of the night, I've heard him fall twice but I don't know if it was from his foot or maybe he had a nightmare? lol..
Anyone ever have a bird with same problem or have seen it before? Not sure if it's something common. Here's a picture to see what im talking about:

[MissLady9902]

His toes did grow in akward. Poor guy. I'm glad you got him anyway and gave him a good home!

[Kathleen]

Poor little guy.

A few things I would recommend are that you might want to put a small towel or something on the bottom of the cage if he falls down sometimes. This will cushion a fall a little. Something else you might want to do is keep the perches low and have the food and water easily accessible.

[Michael]

Kili still falls off her perch from time to time. I think it's that they play fearlessly and just get a little crazy sometimes. So I can't say much about the foot thing but it seems that they fall down but don't get hurt too much. They do have a cushioned feather bed built in.

[triplebbirds]

One other suggestion. Ive had lotta "special" birds. Give him a chola perch. With Fiona our female quaker she has splay and the foot on the splay leg is a bit "off" too. So when we got her she had a bit of a problem perching. So on the chola cactus perch she does really well. Also they sell the "porch" perches. Its like a birdy patio thing. That might work. Also watch out for fabric. He might be a bit more likely to get caught in the fabric with that foot.

I have a cockatiel that her toes cross each other. Had a lovebird with one foot. Their feet take a toll. As a breeder there is quite a bit of stuff that one minor thing makes a difference in their feet and legs.

[tacotaco]

Thanks for the advice. All of you lots of good recommendations that I plan to follow through with!

[javelin]

My Sunflower has his big front toe nail/talon either covered up or missing looking similar to your bird's left foot from the pictures. This is for both his feet. I thought it may have been intentionally clipped by the previous owner or breeder, or may have been due to an injury. He loves climbing his cage and has a fairly good grip, even able to hang upside down. He only falls off if he slips off a cage bar or misses a bar with his beak.

[michellet]

My Missy also has foot/toe issue. One front toe and one back toe on her left foot appear slightly deformed. No claw/nail has grown from either of these toes, and they look a little stubbier than her other toes. I noticed it before i bought her, and the breeder thinks that maybe its as a result of over zealous preening by her parents in the nest... she was the only chick that hatched so she had all the attention of both parents. It doesnt seem to affect her too much, although she can be a little clumsy, but maybe thats just because she's still young? It didnt affect my decision to get her...i'd already been making regular visits to the breeder before it was noticed and had already fallen head over heels for her!

(i tried to get photos but the little brat wouldnt cooperate and sit still!! )