Training Norman to be self sufficient

[Lisabon]

This is Norman

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n616/lisabon1/Norman005.jpg

I am pretty sure he is a boy.....I hope or I will have to call him Norma lol.

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n616/lisabon1/Norman009.jpg

Norman isnt like any other Budgie at the moment he scoots along the ground. I brought him from the pet shop with one leg not able to bend (I think that is the issue) but instead of using the good one he doesnt.
Today the 30th December 2011- I trimmed his over grown toe nails, they would get stuck in everything. After this I put him on some chicken wire and he climbed up to the top you wouldnt even think he had anything wrong with him, this is made me pretty hopeful he will be able to get around really good when he learns.

I put him on a perch and he grabbed on. I am going to do this kind of stuff with him everyday to build strength in his feet and help him learn how to use his good foot. I set up his cage so that he doesnt have to sit on the bottom. I made a ramp so he can climb up to a second level where he can look at himself in the mirror and play with his bell.
I am so Happy to have Norman he is a very happy little bird that deserves to be cared and loved for.
I will update on Normans progress at least weekly :)

[SusanBudgies]

In your other thread, I suggested you buy a 30x18x18" cage so he can fly from end to end without falling very far.

[Lisabon]

3/1/2012

Today Norman climbed up to the highest level of his cage. I am so proud of him, he is getting around his cage really easily now and is a big difference to sitting on the floor being attacked all day. I have put millet and his mirror on the top level for him to enjoy and his food and water are on the second and he regularly comes down to have a drink and eat.
When it cooled down I put Norman in the outside cage for a couple of hours. He climbed up the chicken wire himself and hoped onto the perch. He does it very awkwardly but it is such a big step for him, i really think he enjoys himself. He looses balance and when he falls he flies down to the bottom and starts again. He seems to be slightly less scared of my hand going into his cage we still have trust to build. Today I took him to the vet and it was hopeless, they wanted to put him down but there reasons did not seem valid to me. We did get him some anti-biotics to put in his water everyday for one week to help with his rapid breathing.

[SusanBudgies]

Kudos to brave Norman. Budgies are courageous and they don't feel sorry for themselves. :)

Did you take Norman to an avian vet or to an all-animal vet? Antibiotics in water don't make sense to me because budgies don't drink much water. All-animal vets are generally not well-trained to treat birds.

[Erika]

I think what you are doing is great, getting him to exercise his feet, im sure it will help him a lot! :)
If you get some natural perches, i wonder if he would be able to hold on to them easier, as they would be rough, rather than the smooth dowel? :)
Most aussie plants are good to give budgies, bark, wood, leaves, flowers, nuts :) i use eucalypt, mellaluca, banksia, native rosemary, emu bush, etc :) just make sure the tree isnt too near a roadway (car pollution) and isnt sprayed with herbicides, pesticides, etc :)

[Lisabon]

5/1/2012
Today Norman flew out of his cage, I was really excited. He walked around on the floor very confidently and played with some sticks. He did some short flys today, he seems to be very interested in the rest on the house so I think I will take him on a tour tomorrow at ground level. He drinks his water regularly which is really good because he is drinking his medicine.
At closer observation i have worked out that the two inner claws work and the two outer claws are clenched and dont move much....I think. Thats what he uses to climb anyways. He looks more confident in his moving and gets around nicely now. When he becomes more comfortable with me I will have a look at his ankles more closely and see what exactly is the deformity he has there. Tonight he is sleeping like a normal bird with his head backwards which is new to him, i think his neck might usually get sore because he tries to rest his head on things. Everyday he gets more active and has more fun, his breathing is still heavy but I still wonder if this could be due to the deformities or maybe he has smaller lungs or something else wrong with him, either way he is a battler :)

[FaeryBee]

Norman is definitely a little trooper!!

I'm so pleased he is acclimating to his new life this quickly -- how wonderful that you were willing and able to give him the love and care that he so deserves.

I look forward to following your updates. Now that he has you, I know Norman will enjoy a full and happy life! :hug:

[Lisabon]

10/1/2012

Today Norman learnt a new skill, sitting on a perch with no assistance of extra materials. He climbs up the side of the cage and mover across so his good leg is closest and grabs onto the perch and sits up there for a pretty generous amount of time. Again I am so proud of him :)
http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n616/lisabon1/400381_10151115310010391_665545390_21923754_197915 8840_n.jpg
this is him climbing up the cage
http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n616/lisabon1/404198_10151115316870391_665545390_21923830_675813 3_n.jpg

Note: This is not his everyday cage, this is one of the cages he goes outside in, his other cage has a ramp and a ladder, mirrors and toys for him. I like to move him around and get his learning new things

[Tushkoo]

Awww, way to go, Norman!! It's wonderful to read about his progress and he's so lucky to have found a home with you :).

[Joshuk007]

Wow what an amazing story and I love reading his updates! Keep up the GREAT work!!

Not sure if you have but I would love to see some pics of his cage with the ramp to see how you have adjusted it!

[pinksand]

Good boy Norman!!! He is such a sweet and brave little boy :) I'm so glad to hear about his progress!

[Iris_grrl]

You're giving Norman lots of love and a good life! I really enjoy hearing updates on him. Keep up the good work!

[jellyblue]

Norman is the handsomest, smartest, bravest little fellow. Keep up the good work, Lisbon (and Norman), and keep us posted.

[Erika]

Norman is too adorable! I am so happy he is getting along so well! :)
I wonder how well his foot exercise will help him with walking and climbing :) will be exciting to see, i look forward to more updates! :)

[Lisabon]

Hello again.
I decided to update Norman cage. He had levels to sit on made from paddle pop sticks, i threw them out and made new ones out of natural sticks tied together. He started holding onto individual sticks and felt comfortable because if he does loose balance he doesnt fall off. Well......now Norman is sitting on one stick perches without holding onto the side of the cage and his sits in the middle of the cage.
His balance is amazing. I cant believe how far he has come, he really does just look like a normal bird now :).

[FaeryBee]

Little Norman is a real trooper and you are a great budgie-mom! I hope you'll post some new pictures of the darling little guy soon!

Wish him a Happy Valentine's Day from Sunny and Shelby. :hug:

[lochender]

as a vet normans labored breathing may be because only having one leg to use will be more word try hopping around on 1 leg for 10 minuets will make you sweat alot more than if you walked for 10 minuets
if this is so it may mean that norman is perfectly healthy(other than his foot)
so aslong as you keep making everything as easy as possible for noman he should live just as long and happy a life as your other budgies

[clifff123]

Norman is lucky to have you as an owner, he is special and please keep the updates coming.

[suzyq1956]

Hi I am so glad he found you to rescue him. Can't figure out why the vet wanted to put him to sleep unless his heavy breathing is due to heart problems. Definitely is not appropriate for his leg foot problem. Anxious for more updates. Keep up the good work.

[Birdmanca]

You seem to be dealing with Norman well. Norman probably has some days where he is doing better than other days. Your whole plan of helping him seems good to me. By not letting that vet put Norman down, shows you care for him.A soft bottom of the cage is good, as it buffers a fall. Keep on posting about Norman here, I will follow your story. I once helped a budgie that had a leg problem, and never gave up on him.

[SkyetheBudgie]

That is totally amazing what you are doing! Helping him out is super cool and sounds like it takes more effort than some people would put into it. I say continue with the good work! :)
:budge: Skye, my baby

[Pekoe]

I just came across this.
It is so heartwarming.
I do hope you'll update us on Norman soon :)
You are such an amazing person and Norman is a blessed budgie.

[Pekoe]

I just came across this.
It is so heartwarming.
I do hope you'll update us on Norman soon :)
You are such an amazing person and Norman is a blessed budgie.