Considering a B&G with no toes...

[Harlow]

Long story fairly shortened here!

We recently brought home our second White Bellied Caique from a local breeder. After visiting him weekly and playing with a number of other baby parrots, my husband decided it would be ok for me to stick my name on a wait list for a Harlequin macaw baby. I've wanted a Catalina for 10+ years and I've realized the Harlequin may be a better fit for me.

As I was searching the internet for macaw related info yesterday, I found an ad for a bird a couple hours away. A <2 month old B&G who has the unfortunate results of constricted toe syndrome. There was apparently a malfunction with humidifying equipment at the breeders after this baby hatched, and despite a vet trying to save the toes, this little one lost just about all of hers. She has no nails, and it looks like maybe 1/2 of each toe remaining based on the photos I've seen.

Now - I'm not trying to be a hero. I feel pulled to animals who may otherwise not have a chance at a happy home based on something that isn't their fault. While it's easy to think poorly of the breeder as a result of this, things happen - and it isn't the fault of the bird! I'll be speaking to the breeder of this bird today and have a few questions in my mind already - I was hoping to hear of anyone who may have personal experience with a CTS bird, even to a lesser extent.

My concerns -

Can baby perch? Shes' too young to do so now, but what are the chances she can perch somewhat normally? We may need to customize perches for her. She's too young to realize she's "different" and I imagine as she grows and learns, she'll be able to do just about anything as she doesn't know anything else!

Will this bird have ongoing health issues as a result? I'm mostly wondering about joint related things due to an "unnatural" way of standing.

Will we need to figure out some type of adaptive caging? I'm sure the bird will be able to climb, but don't know if a normal cage will work or not. I imagine leaving her flighted would be the safest thing.

Are there any other things I'm missing?

I haven't made a decision one way or the other, I want to speak with the breeder and talk this over with my husband. In a lot of ways I'm excited for the Harlequin who I can visit weekly as he/she grows up - but as I said, I'm also pulled to those who may not be given a fair shake, so to speak. This isnt' a decision I'll make lightly, I'm just hoping there may be someone with personal experience who can share some thoughts.

 

[goalerjones]

The answer is ramps and flat perching systems. And a platform for sleeping. Even though Hahnzel is fine with perching I replaced his dowels with 1x4's for his main feeding/sleeping areas to help prolong the onset of arthritis.

I see birds in the parking lots all the time with no toes and they have learned to walk just fine.

 

[MissyMe83]

I would think smaller rope perches would be comfortable as well as the platform type of perch. Considering that the baby is starting out this way verses having it happen into adulthood you may be surprised at how he/she may adapt to her situation and do quite well! I wish you the best of luck if you decide to take him/her.

 

[MonicaMc]

Not macaws, and did not suffer from CTS, but you should check out the photos of Mojo and Shinda!!! They are brother and sister who are missing parts of their toes due to one of the parents biting them off!

Collection: Parrots


And... if you want to see videos of them.... (just look/search through her channel!)

flipflopip's channel - YouTube

 

[Zazoothehahns]

there is a cockatiel at the birdshop we visit. He is their mascot so to speak. Loveable, talkative and missing a good portion of it's toes on, I believe, it's left foot. Does phenomonally well. loves to be oowed and ahhed over, loves telling us it is a pretty pretty bird in it's raspy voice. will go to just about anyone, very loveable and manages very well.
You will be surprised at how well a young animal can adapt to it's surroundings with a handicap. I have a horse with only one eye. I was devestated by her injury. I must now say, She is the best darn horse I have ever owned. Prior to her getting trained, my only downfall was pitying her. I would let her get away with murder because I felt sorry for her. Once I got over my roadblock with her, everything has been smooth sailing.
I say go for it, if you bond, why not. Once you get past the physical abnormality, you tend to not even think twice about it. I just tend to warn people when they pet my horse, one, make sure you talk when you approach her from that side, never had her spook, but why chance it. Two, please don't be alarmed if you move her forelock, the eye is stitched/fused shut, but you may be shocked by the appaearance if I don't warn you.

 

[MikeyTN]

If I was around your area I would definitely take on the task. I have a soft spot for babies like that and I've had them in the past. The choice is yours as there can be potential issues. Good luck!!!

 

[riaria]

I have one of Mojo and Shinda's sisters, also with toe damage, and her favourite pastime is hanging upside down. From the cage, from toys, from thin branches... The only thing that she sometimes struggles with (though, it's got much better now), is holding larger foot toys.

Pandora has got platform perches, but she perches fine on regular perches as well. The thick perches lets her rest her feet on top of them, and the thin ones are perfect for hanging upside down from.

We do make sure that her cage bottom (the grid) is covered by several layers of newspaper, to soften any falls she might have. She fell a lot in the beginning, not so much now. You might even cover the grid with a towel and then put newspaper over the towel, in the beginning.

The one thing I would caution is not to clip the wings. They might be the only thing that stands between the bird and a hard fall. I dislike clipping any bird, but it's especially important when the bird has some form of disability. If you don't think you can cope with having a flighted macaw, then don't get this one. But the foot damage will not prevent a very happy and content life

 

[riaria]

(I'm afraid I don't know anything about CTS so can't help with that, unfortunately. Maybe you can contact a good avian vet and ask their view?)

 

[U2gal]

If she has 1/2 of each toe still left. She should be able to perch just fine like any other macaw. Keeping her flighted will better her chances at having a good balance incase she slips.

Is she being sold unweaned? At 2 months old she is nowhere near weaning.

 

[Mommajack]

My Rudy has half of one toe missing, one of the backwards facing ones. It was bitten off when he was a chick, during the first 3 days after hatching. It doesn't seem to bother him much.

 

[Harlow]

Thanks for all of your input thus far. It's a lot to take in.

I spoke with the breeder and all of my questions were answered - my husband and I will be discussing it in more detail this evening and then will decide on if we'd like to visit the bird.

Half of each toe may be being too generous after seeing additional photos - it looks like 1/3rd - 1/4th for some of them...

And she can be sold weaned or unweaned - I do have experience hand feeding so finishing her handfeeding myself is a consideration, although not something I've decided on as of yet.

 

[Alwese]

The biting off of toes by PARENTS is a whole lot more common than you might think. This is most likely why babies are pulled and handfed on the third day rather than leave them with the parents; especially if they have done this before. I have to add here that the name "Hahnzel" from Goalerjones in a previous post has to take my award for best name I have ever heard of for a Hahns Macaw!

 

[Txparamedic]

I have a parrotlet that had her band get up on her elbow as a baby and has a paralyzed leg. She has no use of the leg except as a sort of 'crutch' when she walks. I have given her a stuffed toy like tree stump to sleep in where she doesn't have to perch. Otherwise she has a regular cage and likes wooden perches. She has no idea anything is wrong with her. The only thing I don't do is clip her wings so she is more mobile since climbing is hard for her (but she does climb). They don't know they are different and are fantastic friends. Mine watches tv with me every night and lives to scoot around on my fuzzy blanket. She is priceless!

 

[Harlow]

Sadly, we have decided to pass on this little one. It seems as if there may be more to the "story" than we were lead to believe. While I think we would have been able to provide her with a great home, I'm very comfortable in my decision. I'm sure this little one will remain in my thoughts for some time, though.

We'll continue on with our wait for a Harlequin.

 

[MikeyTN]

Care to elaborate???

 

[Harlow]

Our avian vet called the vet that treated her and was told the bird appeared to have several other deformities. Her wings aren't formed properly, they believe the seller is not being honest with the true condition of the bird. Basically, it appears worse than they're leading anyone to believe.

 

[MikeyTN]

That's shallow.....I would stay as far away from that breeder as possible.....But instead of selling, he should be giving the bird away to whom ever that's willing to take on the task of caring for the poor baby!