Weaning and splayed legs

[halogen]

I recently took a conure from someone who was breeding them. The chick is only 5 weeks old and has a splayed leg...I'm taking him/her to the vet Monday. First off, I've seen that using pipe cleaner or cut sponges to correct splayed legs is helpful. I don't want to do anything unless the vet gives me the okay, but what can I do in the meantime to prevent it getting worse?

Second, it's only five weeks old...I was told he/she is still hand feeding. I have syringes and the like, but I don't have any formula right now. I will get some Monday at the vets office. What can I feed in the meantime? How often and in what manner? Also, can she sleep through the night without feeding or should I wake up to feed?

I know I've got myself a handful and then some here, but please only helpful comments. I already know how difficult this will be.

 

[goalerjones]

First thing that comes to mind is, why take it if you can't feed it? 2 days is not going to work skipping food for your bird.
Talk to the breeder and get not only food but DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS on how to feed this bird. Has to be the right mixture, the right temperature, the right feeding cycles. Hand feeding a bird requires dedication and knowledge.

 

[MikeyTN]

Your located in IL right? Go to a pet shop to get hand feeding formula!!! You don't skip feedings and wait until monday. There are formula you can make at home but it's easier if you just purchase a bag of formula from places such as Petco, PetSmart, Pet Supermarket, etc. Most of them will carry Zupreem or Kaytee Exact. Follow the instructions on how to mix the formula. Be sure to test the temperature of the formula before you feed so you don't burn baby's crop sac. If you got the baby from the breeder, you should ask the breeder how often and how much to feed.

 

[halogen]

I didn't mean I was skipping feedings, I meant I didn't have formula to feed her. I did buy some formula, kaytee exact. I'm feeding her every six hours, since she's five weeks. (The breeder was kind of an idiot. All he knew was the brand of food he was giving her, so I'm not going to trust him on much else for help). She won't take much formula. I think she should be starting weaning soon. I'm not too willing to give her any real foods, as I tried giving her mashed carrot, and she couldn't eat it. She kept beaking it but never swallowing. Because of her leg, I'm taking her out to try giving food instead of leaving it in the cage for her to find. I don't know that she'll be able to get to it. How should I introduce new food for a baby? She can't get to it without me giving it to her, and she only chews, doesn't swallow anything but a couple cc's of formula.

 

[MikeyTN]

I don't know how much it would help since the baby is 5 weeks old but this is what you do while they're a bit younger. Correcting Spraddle or Splay Leg in Baby Birds

 

[halogen]

Thank you! I'm off to the vet tomorrow, so hopefully he'll be able to help me figure out how to do this correctly. I'm also having him teach me and my mother how to hand feed so we don't aspirate or burn the chick. His/her right leg is the affected one, so thankfully s/he's got one leg to use as a guide for the other one. Thanks again Mikey.

 

[MikeyTN]

Good luck at the vet tomorrow! Let me know how it goes. I haven't dealt with splayed legs in years. But I don't want to jinx myself either.....lol