Splay legged/Spraddle Legged Birds

[Zoey]

Hi everyone. I am a owner of a splayed legged lovebird. For those of you how don't know what that is, here is the definition: A young bird with its legs horizontal to its body so that it can not stand up. This condition results from insufficient amount of nesting material, lack of proper calcium or the parent sitting too hard on the chicks. It is correctable, but needs to be done by 8 weeks of age I believe. She was born on too smooth of a surface and nothing was done to correct it, both legs stick straight out to the side. She can get around very good, and she will be a year old in October. I'm just wondering if there is anyone else out there that has/ had a splayed legged bird.
The first thing I did after getting her was research splayed leg, I was personally disgusted with the lack of information on this issue, most sites only had information on how to correct the legs, which it was way to late to do. The odd site I found with information said that splayed legged birds will never eat on their own, and never live a normal life, they even stated that it was a "very cruel way to live". I personally disagree 100% with the statements on that site. My little Scooter bird (she said "Scooter Bird" today!!) is the happiest bird you will ever meet. She can get around just fine, she can climb up toys, eat on her own, fly and land on anything with little to no trouble at all. She can even "stand up" on her own if she has something to prop at least one foot up. Her personality is absolutely amazing and I have yet to meet a lovebird like her. (In case you couldn't tell I love my little Scooter bird so much, and I'm so glad to have her in my life). I'm hoping that someone else has a bird like mine and is also upset with the lack of useful information out there. I understand that the bird will not have a "normal" life per say, but that doesn't mean that people who have splay legged birds are evil, cruel people because we keep them.
So if there is anyone out there that has a Splayed legged bird, please send me a message I would love to hear from you and see pictures of him/her!
Thanks for listening!

Here are a few videos of Scooter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWHX_DcLoqQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJkeEq-8ulo

[Natacha]

My lovebird has a splayed leg and that doesn't stop him from doing anything. He gets around, perches fine although a bit slanted. I do worry that some time down the line he might get bad arthritis but it doesn't seem to be for anytime soon.

He's 6 years old

Will post pictures later.

[Natacha]

Just looked at the videos - Scooter is adorable!

Piper has a mild case of splayed leg compared to other birds I've seen. But it's there and more obvious in person when you look at him perch. He definitively is lopsided when he stands.

Some pictures








A video to showcase how sweet he is

[Zoey]

Aww Piper is such a little cutie I wish my Scooter bird would let me give her scratches. I'm not sure why but she just bites me every time I try to pet her. It makes me sad But she will still cuddle in my hand and preen me. I also worry about Scooter getting arthritis, I hope she doesn't but you never know. What I am really worried about is her getting egg bound, I don't think she would be able to lay an egg properly and it may get stuck. I've worried about that ever since I found out she was a she. It's nice to be able to chat with someone else that has a Splay-legged bird, most Splay-legged birds are put down because no one want to take care of them. I still haven't met anyone that has a bird as badly Splay-legged as my Scooter bird, I really wish something would have got done to try to correct her leg position, but oh well, she is the best little lovebird ever! (Other then Piper of Course ) Please keep in touch, it would be wonderful to hear more about you and your special baby.

[Natacha]

On another forum there is someone with a Lovebird with badly splayed legs, both of them go outwards, yet this Lovebird still goes around and manages to get what it wants

My mom has a Senegal who has issues with it's legs - I think one is badly splayed but I think there is more to it than that.

He's surprised everyone, even the vet! As a baby, there was little faith that he would ever be able to perch it was so bad but he managed

[jacquie]

Hi there. Since Sunny the Senegal is between 4 and 5 years old and I only adopted her 6 months ago, I don't know much about her care, nutrition or what kind of breeding facilities she comes from. Perhaps those of you who have spoken up about splayed legged parrots can help me determine if this is possibly part of Sunny's problem.

She can climb and perch on rope and pediperches and natural wood branches very well and climb and hang from her cage by her feet. She can perch on my shoulder, but is less stable on my finger. Here is the thing though, she can't stand or walk on a smooth surface at all and even on carpet she falls over after a step or two. On a hard, smooth floor I have to scoop her up right away because her legs just do the splits and she is in a panic. On carpeted surfaces she stands still with her legs apart and her toes turned in a bit to the center. Since it is hard to walk that way she falls on her face after a few steps. She is not a great percher on smooth perches and falls from them on occassion - needless to say I removed those shortly after she came home with us.

Her talons are a bit long right now, so I know that doesn't help either, but I have been wondering what could be wrong with her legs since she became part of our family. As an aside, her wings were in bad shape (scraggly, chewed off feathers), and she was on a seed diet with a small variety of fruit, veggies and scrambled egg. She now has a variety of fruits, veggies, good pellets, grains and red palm oil.

I am assuming the weakness to her legs whether from birth or malnutrition will be permaent? Are there any ideas of how I can help her to strengthen her legs? Do you think that any of the poor balance could be from being cage bound/not exposed to walking for the first 4 years of her life? Could never learning how to fly and having missing flight feathers effect her balance this much too?

I don't have a picture of her to put on this post, but if it is helpful, let me know and I'll try to take one that show her legs (the pics I have all look very normal).

Thanks so much for your thoughts.

Jacquie (and Sunny the Sennie)

[jacquie]

Sorry! One more thing. Her legs are almost always bent a little. She never stands with them tall and straight.

Thanks again,

Jacquie
PS: she is cute and snuggly and I think is loving her home with us. I am working hard to help her gain some weight, get stronger and healthier and more playful.

[marie83]

Omg, scooter is adorable!

I like the videos of her that you posted but I also had a look at a couple of the others too. I particuarly like the one where it looks like she is in a fish tank?? and it shows you exactly how she copes with her disability. So inspiring and she does indeed look like a happy little bird but that is thank to you for giving her that chance.

[cassidyfit1]

Hey everyone.
I also have a bird with REALY BAD splayed legs- a Blue & Gold Macaw.
I just posted about this too....

He can't stand, walk, OR perch, but just kind of hangs on the side of his cage. BREAKS my heart !!!

I really need some advice on what to do to make him as comfortable as possible.....

[liz]

Scooter is a happy little bird. No one told her she was handicapped.

She really likes the candle holder. I would suggest a piece of carpet for her to get more traction and something made of wood for her to grasp.