problems with ring neck & pale face parrots

Question
QUESTION: hi there, I am writing on behalf of my parents in regards to problems they are having with the ring neck an paleface parrots they breed. All goes well up until the time the young ones leave the nest. When they first come out of the nest they can fly an use their feet ok but after a week or two their feet start to go limp and they cant use them or land on a perch with them, as though they are becoming paralised. This then becomes a problem because then they are unable to reach their feed an they grow weak. Mum has tried to keep hand feeding them but this does not help or improve the problem with their feet. We have had a number of breeders giving advice from calcium to sunlight to to many eggs which at most is 3-5, yet nothing seems to work. Would you know what this problem maybe or be able to help them with ways to solve this. Kind regards dave.

ANSWER: Hmm... do their feet go out to the sides or one foot to the front and one to the back? That is splayed leg and you just take the bird to the vet and braces are put on the feet. Here's a website all about it and how to treat/prevent it: http://www.cagenbird.com/splayed_leg.htm
In any case, I would visit your avian vet because, even though it is probably something easy to fix, this is a symptom of Newcastle disease (uncommon symptom) which is very deadly and needs to be reported to the authorities.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hi thanks for your reply, I am advised that the feet do not go out to the sides nor do they go one to the front an one to the back. I am told that their legs just become limp an drag behind them which forces them to use their beak to pull them selves along. Your advice is appreciated and would be greatful for any further information you may have related to these symptoms i have provided. We are trying to locate an avian vet but as i have google searched for one in country victoria and been unsuccessful. Once again thank you for your help, Regards David..

Answer
I'm not familiar with anything like this, so if you can find a vet who works with birds, that would be a good idea. There aren't many certified avian vets out there (115 in the US) but there are lots of vets that are very good with birds and will treat them. I will do some more research for you and talk to a few of my vets about it to see if they have any ideas and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.