I have recently rescued a cockatiel with bumble foot? which seems to have displaced his natural foot grip. He sits on the perch (which is quite wide otherwise he will fall)with all toes forward and none around the perch. Has anyone any ideas on how to correct this and make him use his feet correctly.He is currently receiving antibotics - getting a foot cleanse and ointment for his hock which has pressure sores - vitamin supplement. He is happy and gets around so much better since we acquired him. He preens and seems quite happy.

susan and jon

-- Jon hopkins (susan@intercoast.com.au), March 09, 2002

Answers

Try attaching a perch rod flat on the wide piece so that he can start getting the feel of normal perching while retaining the security of the shelf.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), March 09, 2002.

If it's truly bumblefoot, this gal tells how it's handled for chooks ~

Here's a photo of bumblefoot: http://userpages.umbc.edu/~rrhudy1/bumble.jpg

This condition affects the pads of the feet.  It is caused by the bacteria staphylococcus aureus, which is present wherever there are chickens. Most people notice swelling of the foot pad, and if you look at the pad and note a dark, blackish scab, it is bumblefoot. The swelling is due to abscess in the pad. Staph enters the foot through injury to the pad - either by bruising or breaks in the skin caused by sharp objects. 

Avoiding Bumblefoot

Bumblefoot is difficult to cure.  Make sure the roosts are rounded and not too high off the ground. Sand off any potential splinter areas.  Ensure plenty of litter, 3-4 inches or more . Don't use wire bottom cages. Give vitamin supplements, especially Vitamin A.

Treatment

Have on hand the following:

Betadine, hydrogen peroxide, neosporin, sterile scalpel or 14g needle, coban, sterile 2x2 gauze pads, surgeon's gloves. Have ready a cage to put the chicken in when you're done. Make the litter deep, ensure food and water. I have used terramycin in the water for a week - follow the directions on the package. 

The 'Operation'

If possible, have a helper. You can, however, do this yourself. Wear gloves - you don't want to get the staph on you! 

Wash the leg and foot, scrub with betadine until clean at least 30 seconds. If you can soak the foot until the scab is soft, do that and then pull off the scab.

Lance the pad with the needle or scalpel and squeeze out the pus. I do this under running water. Yes, there will be bleeding. After the pus is out as much as you can get, dip the foot into peroxide solution. The blood will cause a foaming reaction. If there is a lot of bleeding, hold pressure with a sterile 2x2 until stopped or under control. 

Apply neosporin to the site, a sterile 2x2, add some more 2x2s for padding, then wrap the foot firmly with coban. Wrap so the toes and spur are exposed. Don't wrap so tight that you cut off circulation. You will want to start the wrap on the foot and work up to the leg. Coban sticks well to itself and the chicken generally won't be able to pull it off if you do a good job.

Place the chicken in the deep litter cage, and change the dressing in 2-3 days. I keep the chicken confined until I remove the dressing and until the pad is well healed so that it won't open up when back to free-ranging. So far I've never had to cull a chicken due to bumblefoot.       

-- ~Rogo (rogo2222@hotmail.com), March 09, 2002.

Susan and Jon, get over to this site: http://www.geocities.com/cherrysparkels/ This is a cockatiel site and has good care and health help. Also, you can e mail them for questions. good luck, they are charming birds. LG

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), March 09, 2002.