Most of my babies are healthy, but right now I have one baby that has with
1 weak leg. This bird does not bend it legs. It flops them out straight. It
can barely walk. It scoots along. Do you think it will ever fly? It can flap
its wings, but no flying yet.
- What you describe sounds like spraddle leg syndrome and it is caused by
a smooth nest bowl. For the legs to develop correctly, they must be
able to grip the bottom of the nest so that the youngsters can exercise the
developing muscle. Be sure all of the nests have a rough surface.
Glue some carpet to the bottom or burlap or be sure there are sticks or
other material for the young to grow on and hold onto. There is no
cure unless this is caught very early. If it is just starting, you can
try tying the weak leg into the correct position for a day or so.
If the chick is older, it should probably be destroyed.
Some of my birds have a very cooked neck? They are fine in the
nest, but it develops about the time they fledge.
- I would check to be sure your vaccinations are up to date for PMV
especially, but also salmonella. PMV in particular can cause crooked
necks and other nervous symptoms.
Sometimes I get a few black feathers on some youngsters. These are
pure white pigeons and neither parent has black feathers. How can this
be?
- Most white pigeons being used for dove releases are bull-eyed whites.
They have a gene for white that is dominant over other colors. That
means the other genes are there, just being supressed. Sometimes they
express themselves. I would not breed any birds that gives you dark
feathers or soon you will have a loft full of colored birds.
Can a bird foster raise a chick or egg from another pair?
- Sure, if it is the same age as its own eggs or chicks. I would not
ask a pair to raise more than one extra egg or chick (total of 3), or you
may have 3 chicks that are all smaller than normal. It is difficult for the
birds to incubate more than 2 eggs well also.
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