Handicapped Budgies

I have been somewhat hesitant to write this article because I foresee one of reactions; pity or anger. This should not be the case. People who have seen my two handicapped budgies in the flesh were also first appaled, but seeing how happy they were, soon came to the realization that I had made the right decision to let them live. I couldn't kill a creature anyway. But other folks who have no idea about caring for animals come out with crap like "That's cruel, how could you let such a bird live" or "Nobody will buy that bird, why do you continue to feed it". Because I love my budgies very much and although the two birds (Hinkelbein and John Silver are their names) have obvious deformities they have adapted to their disabilities and live totally normal lives. Do we condemn people to death because of handicaps?

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Hinkelbein has both legs pointing out at 90° from the side of his body and sleeps either in a special nest which I have built for him or on the ground and he is very cosy...thank you very much! John Silver has the same quirk but just with one leg which points out at a 90° angle in the air, while he sits on the perch with his other leg, hence his moniker. Both birds are male and are horny at the moment so they are feeding and trying to mount the females in the aviary. Oh Yeah! Did I forgat to mention that all 7 other birds are totally fit. John Silver is competing for the position of "King of the cage" so it's obvious he can't be too badly off. Hinkelbein has no interest in such petty politics and observes with a slightly bemused glint in his eye.



I have included a picture and a video for you to inspect the birds and wish to let folks who have no idea about birds know that even though the birds may look odd they are totally happy and I intend to keep them and any other disabled budgies which may arrive in the future.....