Setting up a cage for handicap zebra

[sasdrum]

Hi all! I finally got a friend for Meep (my existing male zebbie), but when I was offered his flightless sister as well, I couldn't refuse, especially knowing I can adopt another female who is missing a toe. I was doing some online research and I'm guessing that her wings are short (I'm going to take her to the vet when I get home to be sure there is nothing else going on) and she just can't support her own weight. She's getting around well, flaps her wings and attempts to fly normally, just can't get into the air. So, assuming that she's just going to remain flightless, I'm looking for some advice on creating a cage that will keep her active and entertained without flight.

And if anyone has any suggestions on perches for birds that can't balance that well (for the zebbie missing the toe, she's been to the vet already), I'd love advice there too. They are both super sweet girls and I just want to be sure they're given an environment they can thrive in.

Thanks!

[finchmix22]

I have a handicap cage for three of my Society's with leg/foot problems. They fly awkwardly, but not well. So, the cage is a 24x14 breeder cage. Inside, I have a metal platform with a small ladder (for parakeets) that attaches on the side. I use perches with odd shapes, so they can rest on the branches, rather then perch. The food is placed on a paper plate, so they don't have to perch for food either and the water cup has a ledge that is thicker than some water dishes to make it easier to perch while they drink. Finally, I have a canary style nest lined with paper towel to give them some traction without getting stuck.

[Sally]

For the one that can't fly, you will want to use a cage that doesn't have a grill or grate on the bottom, it would be too hard for it to be on a grill all the time. Food and water dishes on the floor of course. Perhaps a very low perch, only a few inches off the floor, she might be able to get up on something like that. If there is any way you could rig up a swing close to the floor of the cage, that would be something she could reach, and all my finches enjoy swings.

I've found when I have finches that are missing toes, they have no trouble at all, they learn to balance. Now if the whole foot is missing, then they can still use the normal perches, but they will appreciate a flat platform up in one corner of the cage, where they can rest.

[finchmix22]

I forgot to mention I line the grate with paper towels so they don't have to walk on the grate. They like to sit on the paper towel bottom sometimes, but usually prefer the platform for perching, sitting, etc.

[Asym]

Some of my gimpy ones really prefer to perch on nice fat millet sprays.

[Acelin_Wolf]

For finches that can't balance, get the large version of this. XD

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... nt=Default

I used that for my little zebra finch that had one leg. She would sorta lay on it cuz she couldn't balance well. XD

[Nerien]

Since she can flutter but not fly, and I assume her legs are okay, set up some ramps for her so she can get up to a perch or platform. B
Perhaps a wide natural branch, so it is rough enough to give some traction. Or get some wood, a flat board maybe two inches wide, doesn't have to be very thick since strength is not important, and run it from the floor to a perch or platform. If it's too smooth, cut or scrape little treadmarks across it to allow for some grip, nothing too deep so toenails don't get stuck, just enough to break the smoothness.

Arrange perches and platforms so there is always something near for her to aim for, so if she leaps off something higher up, she won't have too far to fall.

[sasdrum]

Those are awesome ideas! When I get home I'll have to start working out a plan. Right now, she's perfectly happy in my travel cage which was unknowingly already set up to allow her to hop around and reach everything. Her brother isn't happy in travel cage though, but when I get home, he's going in the 4 foot flight with Meep. She'll be staying in the travel cage til I get something better set up.

It's pretty cool, since she can't fly, she's perfectly willing to perch on my finger and let me move her around the cage. But it's been good to see that she's very active.

Thanks!

[Jeff McKee]

I had a cage of odd balls for a while. I put a wood shim on the floor, for more secure footing. The nest was placed essentially on the floor (none up high). Perches were on the bottom of the cage. Food dishes on the floor.

Consider the risks the birds face, then eliminate the risks. Make things easier for them.

[finchmix22]

After reading about several members questions regarding how to set up a cage for handicapped finches, I decided to start a thread with pics of my own. Hopefully, others who have a handicap setup can share their ideas and pics as well.

[fhgwgads]

I agree with the grating situation.. it is definitely better to put something down. When my baby first fledged he had a hard time walking on the bottom and his feet would always go through the grating. He doesn't have problems with his feet, but he has one eye so it took him a while to get used to the cage. I had staggered perches to make it easier for him to hop up, and he would often sit on top of the nest to rest because it was more of a flat surface. He also has a crossed beak so I had to provide soft foods before he learned how to hull millet. He still hasn't gotten to the regular seed mix but he is adapting! Good luck with your babies! I would watch them and adapt as you go. See what they adjust too, see what they need a little help with. I was devastated and thought my baby wouldn't be able to do anything because of his one eye and his beak but he is doing just fine! He CAN hull millet seeds, he flies very well and knows the dimensions of the cage, and he is as happy as can be and doesn't know any different!

[finchmix22]

Our handicap finches are very adaptable. More than we expect, huh?

[poohbear]

I have an indoor cage for my disabled birds...gouldian non flyers and a crippled bengalese.I've put a box in for the bengie who roosts in there some days and at night.I've wedged branches from floor to the top so they can get around...they seem to cope well.







For weeks now this gouldian has roosted on the nestbox perch.Nearly every night I've heard a THUMP! as the poor lad has fallen off.Sometimes lying on his back like a turtle I've had to upright him.
After weeks of this he has finally thought 'to hell with this' For the past week he has sensibly decided he gets less headaches if he perches on one of the feed pots lower down.

[fhgwgads]

poohbear Aww poor baby! Mine were routinely sleeping on their millet but they JUST started sleeping underneath the silk leaves that form a small canopy over the highest perch in the back. I think it takes them a bit to get used to their surroundings and become comfortable with a certain spot!

And finchmix22 we certainly worry way more than we need too! I feel like I have more issues than my birds do half the time!

[sasdrum]

Well, I pulled her out of the cage to see how she was doing and as I was setting her on the floor, she flew over to my nearby bookshelf. She's not flying high, she stays very close to the ground. I'm wondering if she had just strained something and that was why she wasn't flying, being in my tiny travel cage would definitely force rest, but she's clearly unhappy in there. Sadly though, I have nowhere else to put her until I get my flight cage done. But that will be done within the week. Just got it framed out yesterday. I could sleep in this flight cage. So she should be much happier and stop biting me soon and I'm getting a second female this week as well, so she won't be alone. I'm hoping that will perk her up a bit too.