6 Week Baby Eclectus--need help/advice!

[Amanda1030]

Hi,
So I just came home with a six week old female eclectus. I had been looking for a Grey, but ended up with an eclectus and didn't know anything about them. I am so surprised that I was sent home to raise this little baby with no prior knowledge of raising a parrot--I thought they had to wait to give you birds until they are weaned. But here I am getting nervous at every little thing because I want to make sure I'm doing everything right. Does anyone have any tips or advice for me? I am supposed to call the guy every day for the next month, which helps, but not really. I still feel like I'm on my own with this little baby's life in my hands. Also, I've been reading how complex their diet is and how important it is, and am getting nervous that I won't be able to care for it because I am a novice bird owner. I love the little babe so much I just want everything to go smoothly and have her healthy and happy! So, any help would be greatly appreciated--thanks!

 

[mtdoramike]

Congrats on your new addition, but didn't you have a choice as to whether you accepted an UNWEANED bird? I never recommend people buy an un-weaned bird from anyone. It takes the liability off the shoulders of the breeder and puts it squarely on your shoulders. I think most people who buy un-weaned birds especially new parrot owners do it because they can get the bird cheaper. But as the old saying goes "The Cheap comes out expensive in the end". I don't know where you are located, but where I'm located, if you buy an un-weaned animal, you will have no legal recourse if the bird dies while in your care. Also, why did you decide to get the Eclectus rather than the African Grey? I love Eclectus parrots myself, but I didn't have any real intentions of getting one until I found myself in the position to adopt a male Eclectus.

We have a wealth of knowledgeable people here, who should be able to help you with your new baby Ekkie. Unfortunately, I'm clueless about hand feeding birds. I do know that it has to be done just right or else something serious could happen.

 

[MikeyTN]

It's not easy to handfeed a baby eclectus, they're one of the harder ones to handfeed. You should look at some YouTube videos on how to handfeed baby Eclectus. Just make sure your formula isn't too hot or too cold, measure the temperature! Get a weight scale! Sometimes it's not easy to get a baby Eclectus to accept a new hand feeder. But just be patient and don't rush anything. Otherwise bring the baby back and wait until he/she is weaned before bring them home!

It was from reading on their diet requirements why we were afraid to get them in the first place. But after having them for several years now, it's not that complicated. It's almost no difference in feeding them compare to any other birds but just no added vitamin or pellets. They don't do well on most pellets as there's formulated pellets for eclectus now days. But I rather stick with what I have going on now which is feeding fresh fruits and veggies during the day and I split a table spoon full of seeds between two ekkies during evening time. It's mainly small seeds that I give them. We also cook for them such as sweet potatoes, chicken breast meat, bread, lintels, etc etc. They need stuffs in high beta carotene such as carrots, sweet potatoes, etc. You can find out more of their diets on Land of Vos. I really like her site and she give some great detailed information.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Welcome to the forum, Amanda, and many congrats on your new baby.

Mike summed it up quite well. Is there any chance you can take your baby back and let the seller/breeder wean the baby for you? I honestly can't believe he sent you home with a baby who still requires hand feeding, knowing you have no experience with this. SO many things can go wrong. It takes an experienced person to hand rear a baby bird.

Please, if at all possible, take the baby back and insist he finishes raising and weaning him. Then, when the baby can completely eat on his own, then you can go pick him up.

That should also give you enough time to thoroughly read up on Eclectus.

 

[moni.k]

I would recommend 3 things for you.

1. take the eclectus back to the breeder and wait until the baby is fully weaned
2. go to a local bird store or avian vet and pay for boarding and let them finish the weaning
3. go to your avian vet or bird store and learn how to hand feed properly. I don't recommend going back to the breeder for this as I don't feel he is responsible or even caring enough to take the time to teach you. Sorry to diss the breeder, but I think it's totally irresponsible and terrible that he sent you home with a bird with no hand feeding experience.

Look for an avian vet or bird store that has experience with eclectus or breeds eclectus themselves. They require a high temperature for their formula than other birds. Eclectus also don't have a strong feeding response, so if you don't have the experience or knowledge they can easily aspirate the formula. Like MikeyTN stated, they are one of the harder birds to hand feed and wean.

 

[Hipgoddess77]

I was lied to about my baby. He was 2 months old, not four as the breeder had said, and needed hand feedings 3x a day not 1. It's a real pain in the butt. I was really ticked off about it but being our bird was from 2 hours away I was stuck. Well I did have hand feeding experience, but even then, I had to teach my boyfriend because my schedule didn't allow this. If you have a good avian vet, it's best to ask him. Internet has all the info you need, like temps being 102-105, not weening too soon, or not making them aspirate, etc. mine wasn't nice the first few days of hand feeding... He attacked me every time. Well good luck to you! If you are patient and careful, it's not too hard. Just make sure you are doing everything right!

 

[maillet]

Agreed with all of the above.

When you wean an Eclectus, unlike most other birds they can develop a sense of mild apprehension toward the parental figure. This is why the breeder should be doing. An exchange of homes before weaning is also EXTREAMELY stressful so you should wait.

In the event that you cannot however, here are a few helpful tips for your new Ekkie

(1) Pick up the book "Eclectus Parrots by Barron's" It has a Green Ekkie on front. By far the best book I have read and it covers everything from warnings to the diets.

(2) If you are weaning be prepaid to spend a lot of time and patience. Just like with a human baby Ekkies in particular could take 30-60 Minutes per feeding to have a fill.

(3) Never do sudden motions. You are a giant monster to the bird, and this is a good opportunity to develop trust. Most dislike being touched until you have a great bond.

(4) Lots of excellent resources out there for what to feed and how. I probably spent solid 30 Hours studying before I even picked Echo up, then 20-30 as issues arose.

(5) If he is not responding during the few couple of weeks this is normal. Again he is scared - So he could also cry a lot. Just be patient and speak softly, he will settle.

(6) Ensure the cage is in an isolated and QUIET room. A good practice I heard is for first few weeks "Knock" twice before entering so he is not startled by your arrivals.

(7) Ensure he has plenty of rest, sees you regularly, and ask for feedback as able.

Weaning should definitely be left to those with experience although everyone had to start somewhere. Main thing is do not have too high expectations first few MONTHS as this bird could very well outlive you, and bonds could take YEARS to fully develop.

 

[Amanda1030]

Thanks everyone! Well she was most definitely not cheaper for being unweaned lol. And so far I have had no problems with feeding her, she is doing really well with it (as far as I can tell). I am feeding her three times a day, and she is very good otherwise--very sweet, no nipping or anything.
And I ended up getting her instead of the Grey because he allowed me to hold her, and I fell in love lol. I wasnt expecting to take her home so soon (let alone that day!) but he just started preparing a tank and heating lamp for her, showed me how to hand feed. Gave me the formula, some basic instructions, and we were on our way. If at all possible I don't want to take her back to the breeder, now that I've been taking care of her I don't want to put her back and then take her again--just after she got settled in.

 

[maillet]

Just be careful that as soon as she fledges that you are setting clear boundaries. It is the time of their lives they learn the fastest and many habits can be hard to break.

Decide what type of Ekkie you want her to grow up to be, and then be really aware of how your actions are influencing her toward that path (and how she interprets it).

Also pay close attention to the dropping as they are the best indicator of how well she is doing nutritionally and physically. Albeit while weaning it will fluctuate a bit.

Best of luck with your new baby,

 

[Amanda1030]

Thank you for the advice everyone! I have been reading up on them since she came home like crazy, and will definitely look to YouTube for hand feeding help. She really is so sweet though and has been good with her feelings so far, and seems to have taken kindly to me. It was love at first sight

 

[nicki]

Handing feeding was something I was not prepared for and was so scared I would do it incorrectly, but it was also something I did love to experience. If you feel you have a good grasp on your bird and feeding him, by all means do it!

The shop taught me how to do it, but then it came like second nature to me. Once I stopped freaking out that is.

But still on a heat lamp, ouch ><

 

[mtdoramike]

There are also a ton of Youtube videos about hand feeding birds.

 

[Amanda1030]

Nicki--I feel the same way! Now that I've gotten over my nerves everything is going fine. I think I was just overwhelming myself by reading so much online about other Eclectus's, and not realizing what kind of parrot mine was. She's doing great though! We're both okay with me hand feeding her and she responds to me whenever I talk or sing to her; I love it! I checked up on some YouTube videos also, and they helped as well. More so that they let me see I was doing it correctly and that their birds responded in the same way--so that made me feel better too! Her feathers are starting to come in as well and I love being able to see her grow up from this age