Correcting Splay Leg

   
One or both legs stick out to the side.

Some baby pigeons develop splay leg, a condition in which one or both legs stick out to the sides and the bird is unable to stand. This problem might be caused by improper bedding in the nest (the surface is too slippery), or by a disturbance (the bird is shaken or thrown), or by poor nutrition (lack of calcium in the diet).

Splay leg can be corrected! It's important to start rehabilitation as soon as you are aware of the condition. You can take the bird to a rehabilitator or, if you feel comfortable, you can treat the bird yourself.

To correct splay leg, you will need to secure the legs in their natural position.

You can use vet tape (self-adhesive gauze). Place the legs under the bird in their natural position (about one inch apart), and run the tape around the legs. You might need to lay the baby on its back to do this. You can wrap tape around the section between the legs to keep the legs apart. Alternatively, you can use any kind of soft material (gauze, sponge, cotton) between the legs.

The bird will be very clumsy at first, but it will soon learn to stand with its legs in their correct position. The time needed for healing could be one to three weeks.

If you do not see improvement, you should take the bird to a rehabilitator or avian vet.

Here's an alternative approach with photos:
Fixing Splay Leg Using a Makeup Sponge  The bird here is a parrot, but the same technique applies to pigeons.

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