Pigeon Squab with leg problems

[jak2002003]

This is an update to my post about one of my squabs not being able to stand up or use it legs and feet.

The bird is much stronger now, and its parents are now feeding it plenty of food. It has grown a lot bigger.

The good news is it can now stand up on his haunches and get about, and also snap at me with it beak. Before it had no strength in its legs and could only lay flat on it stomach.

It's sibling is able to stand up properly now, and even walk about. But the sick bird can not stand up, and has to shuffle about on is knees. It seems several days behind in its development than the other one, and does not have as many feathers on its body and head.

I got both squabs out on the table to compare them. I am concerned the smaller one has slightly splayed legs now as they stick out sideways a lot more then the bigger squab. It's nothing as severe as the videos I has seen on YouTube, but its legs are not in the right position, and seem spread out and too wide apart. Also its feet still seem to be curled up and very weak, although he can move his toes. I hope as he gets even stronger his feet will improve too.

I want to somehow hobble the squab to put it's legs in a the correct position while its still growing, but I don't know the best way to do this without hurting the bird.

Also no idea where is the best place to connect the legs, above or below the knees?

The bird has definitely made a tremendous improvement and is not in any pain, also seems very bright in alert too. The parents are eating a lot for the smashed up cuttlefish bone, and also the chicken layer pellets I added to the diet for more calcium, and the squab gets natural sunlight into the nest box for vitamin D.

Thanks.

 

[cavemanrich]

The splayed leg issue needs to be corrected before it is tooooo late. I had that in 2 squabs once, (siblings same hatch) and was not able to correct it. I made a set of cuffs from cloth and sport tape, to hold the legs proper distance apart. Attachment to leg was where the band goes.
They grew full size, but could not walk properly with cuff on. Not able to walk at all with cuffs removed. @Hokum Coco did mention in some posts how he used rubber bands or something to correct the leg splay. Right now,,,, I cant find that post.

 

[jak2002003]

The splayed leg issue needs to be corrected before it is tooooo late. I had that in 2 squabs once, (siblings same hatch) and was not able to correct it. I made a set of cuffs from cloth and sport tape, to hold the legs proper distance apart. Attachment to leg was where the band goes.
They grew full size, but could not walk properly with cuff on. Not able to walk at all with cuffs removed. @Hokum Coco did mention in some posts how he used rubber bands or something to correct the leg splay. Right now,,,, I cant find that post.

Thank you for the reply. In the end I used 2 leg rings tied together with string.

He seems much happier wearing them... as he can stand up perfectly and get about better.

I have to say it was NOT easy. Looking on you tube all the squabs are so placid and easy to handle, and easy to get the bands on.

My little guy struggles, kicks, grabs hold of my fingers with his feet, grabs hold of the string, rings and won't let go, keeps turning around and around, and if I wrap him up in a towel, he keeps wiggling.

I tried to use a bandage first time. He got that off after 2 hours.

Then I used just soft string, he got that off one leg too.

The I used the rings method, but someone he got the knotted string untied and out of one leg ring by the morning. This guy could give Harry Houdini a run for his money!!!

Today all secured after real struggle getting the plastic leg band back off and then reattach them.

I am glad that he has all the strength back in his legs and feet, and has full mobility of them. Before they were just floppy. I think he will be OK in the end, but might just have sticking out feet like a penguin lol.

 

[Qwerty3159]

How's it doing now?

 

[jak2002003]

How's it doing now?

It's doing really well thank you.

It's nearly caught up in weight and size to its brother, and it now has very strong legs and can walk and stand fine.

Couple of things a bit not right....

Its feet stick out more sideways than they should, and its toes will curl a bit upwards when it walks.

Its actual legs seem larger then they should... thicker than the other pigeons.

However, it does not seem overly affected by theses things, and perhaps the toes will stop curling up when it starts to use the feet more for perching.

Its quite amazing that he had basically no use or strength in his legs and feet at all in the beginning, and now they are really strong.

I will take the hobble off his legs when he has fledged the nest and starts to fly about, so he does not get tangled in anything, and by then the bones should have stopped growing.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I help remedy this problem by hooking a "SHORT" elastic between the legs of the bird. In conjunction with two zip ties. The sooner you notice the problem the better before they develop feathers gives the best result. I also find that in some cases it is best to cull the bird it is not a perfect world. There are some birds where I left the hobbles on even in adulthood. Never be hasty in removing the hobble.

 

[jak2002003]

Thanks for that video. I think the legs are correct now, just the actual feet stick out sideways. It's nearly out of the nest now, so think too late to try to fix the feet.

But, his wonky feet don't bother him, and he can walk and perch fine, so it is just cosmetic. I never cull any one my birds unless they are seriously sick with no chance of recovery, as they are my pets, not working / racing animals and I take responsibility for them.