Veraticus

The vet got back to the breeder today... he said that most likely the parents sat on the chick while he was nesting and broke the leg. It's totally healed though, and shouldn't pose any kind of long-term disability. I'm going back to visit him on Sunday... he'll be four weeks old, and apparently he's more than doubled in size than last I saw him. Only seven or eight more weeks until I can take him home! Thanks for the support, everyone! Oh, and there was no calcium deficiency in the chick... must've just been overzealous parenting...

Thanks for the advice everyone... I am indeed going to be getting this grey. When I saw him/her for the first time my heart just melted, though I must admit when I saw it with its skin all shiny and pink the only thing I could think of was the smallest Thanksgiving turkey ever. And the loudest and warmest, I couldn't believe how hot it felt in my hands, or how much chirping it made! It is unfortunately an only clutchmate, but I have some really adorable pictures of it cuddling a stuffed teddybear that the breeder put in there so it would have some emotional support. I already have a deposit on this bird, but the breeder and I have established that if the veterinarian determines the leg to be a real issue, I will be receiving my deposit back and we'll take things from there. I should be hearing back from her later today or tomorrow, fingers crossed!

Thanks for the reassurance, Greywings!

Hi everyone, I'm about to buy an African Grey, and I'm really looking forward to it! It'll be my first bird ever. I found a really nice and knowledgeable breeder in the area. She seems to know exactly what she's doing, has been breeder CAGs for 30 years, and has been honest and forthright with me. Part of that being honest and forthright was telling me that the baby I have my eye set on has a small problem with his/her leg. While nesting with its parents, the leg apparently broke; it seems to have set and healed completely, and the hatchling uses it without an issue, but it definitely looks a little funny. Like, it has a weird little bend right above the foot. She's assured me this won't be a problem, and she's taking it to the vet on Tuesday just to be doubly sure. But I wanted to know if this is something I should consider a dealbreaker or if it's really a non-issue. I don't intend to show the bird, so I don't care if it isn't physically perfect... I just don't want it to have developmental problems or need birdie-crutches or something. Thanks!