Questions about canary and scaly feet

[nancyjo]

Hi - I am new to the forum but not new to birds. Just have no experience with what looks like is scaly feet. Have opportunity to adopt 2 beautiful canaries that have clearly been neglected as they have very long nails and some scales on feet but not alot. Have read how to help them but wonder if it is safe to bring them into my home. Have a dear, darling parolet and don't want anything to happen to him as he is totally healthy. If I keep them in a different room until they are better will that be safe for the parrolet? They are beautiful birds and my 16 year old canary died last spring so would love to have them. Both are male and both singing in spite of the horrible, dirty conditions they have been living in. It is really a shame.
Thanks for your advice.
Nancy

[Ursula]

Maybe that article helps...

http://www.canaryadvisor.com/parakeet-mites.html

I don't think the mites can be transferred other than by contact. So if you thoroughly wash your hands after handling the canary cage your parotlet should be fine. I would put them in different rooms though, just in case.

My budgies had scaly mites at one point (infected by a bird that I got in a pet store... never again!) and luckily my finches who are in the same aviary with the budgies were spared. I changed the branches and perches though, just to be safe and had the budgies in a separate cage during treatment.

I would bring the canaries to an avian vet though if you have one nearby and can afford it, just in case... I didn't treat mine myself, but let the vet do that with injections that he said was more efficient than topical treatment that you can do at home. It was rather expensive though, because I had to bring them in 3 times over the course of 2 weeks.

[CandoAviary]

The older the canary the scalier their feet. Canaries can also suffer from varicose veins as they age.
These birds may not and probably do not have scaly mites. Below is an article on this .

Also known as Calcification, scaly feet and legs are slowly--and quite naturally--caused by a build-up of calcium salt between the scales of your canary’s feet and legs. Your canary's legs will appear dry and flaky.

A heavy accumulation of this scaling may cause irritation to your bird and may even result in difficulty walking.

But while this "scaliness" CAN cause problems, it’s also one of the natural symptoms of aging.


Scaly Feet on Older Canaries.

Older canaries commonly have a heavy build-up of scales and the amount of scales is sometimes used to age canaries. As Dr. Rob Marshall states in Canary Health, the “legs of young birds are cleaner than old birds and quite free of scale”. Some canaries, though, are susceptible to having the calcium salt problem their whole life.

The aging process is not the only reason for scaly feet. Scaly feet could also be an indication of a...


Mite Infestation

These Scaly Mites live in, and feed on, the scales of your canary’s feet and legs. In severe cases these mites will move up to the beak area of the face.

If your bird is relatively young and has scaly feet and legs, it is safe to assume you have a mite problem. Or at least your canary does.


Treating for the Scaly Feet Mite