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Handicapped parakeets can make wonderful pets.

This is an area about which I'm most passionate.

The second parakeet to join our flock, Mattimeo, has a very weak, floppy foot.  Here's what it looked like when I first got him.  Notice all 4 toes are in front of the perch.

So I decided to use a chopstick to help him exercise it.

You can't tell it from the picture above, but the chopstick is oval.  When I rotated it, it opened and closed the foot.  And now when Mattie does perch, at least one toe goes in the right direction in back.  Look at the next picture - you can see it for yourself.

I even made Mattimeo a sleeping hammock:

To this day, that's where he sleeps at night.  It's simply a circular rope dog toy with fabric in the middle (that's what he rests on).

It's been my experience that handicapped parakeets are more gentle and easier to handle from the get-go.

Parakeets can become handicapped if they're splayed-legged (their legs don't stand right beneath them), had french moult as a chick (that's my other handicapped keet - it damages the feathers) and many other reasons. 

But they're just as wonderful as your typical normal keet. 

If you have an open mind and big heart, do look into adopting special needs birdies.  They truly are hidden treasures.

Well!  This page concludes all the nifty resources you can find regarding parakeets online.  It's time now to dive beak-deep into some really fun budgie things - let's now turn to: