galah with lots of issues please help!!

[ceejay]

hey melinda yeah im going to try the table thing and see how we go with that im not sure hes 13 weeks well would be 16 weeks now because ive had him almost a month . but the vet said on the phone he can give me an aprox age, so we will see what happens its hard becuse i have no idea of his history as a little baby i wish i knew but i dont think ill ever find out. but thats ok hes here with me and i will love and nurture him and give him all the love and understanding he needs.he has little moments when it makes me sad he dosent play with toys as im sure he never had them and he had a horrible diet but we are working on that too. i am so thankful for all your advice and i will try theese things and see how it goes as well as the vet trip he has improved since hes been here so hes made a little progress baby steps but thats ok he needs time to adjust to things, so do you think i should go back to wetting his pellets? he did seem like it was eaiser for him that way. i have lists of food he can have its basic things i was told you can give them white meat? i tried mixing in some brown rice but he didnt touch that either. he does like cracking open peanuts though. i just wanna make sure i dont give him something that would be bad for him.ill keep everyone posted thanks again you have all been really helpful cheers ceejay

 

[ceejay]

lol at suebee yeah i guess lettuce isnt so appealing eh? i will most definatly let you know what the vet says im anxious to find out too thankyou for your support cheers ceejay

 

[melinda]

Even if he is 16 weeks old if he needs to be hand fed to be weaned thats fine. He needs to be given the chance to wean his self when he feels ready. My 5-8 year old U2 still loves to be hand fed once or twice a week. I keep doing it because should i ever have to give her any meds i know she will take them no problem. Three times a week i will soak her's and the OWA's pellets in fruit jucie because they love it. If your baby wants it wet that is fine. Just don't make a lot at a time because it will go bad. Easier to make a little and get rid of it in a hour or two and make more than have a sick baby. Mine eat all of theirs but they are used to getting it too. Baby steps are the best way to go with birds. You have your life to look forward to a couple of months is nothing in the long run. Each step forward will be that much more something to celabrate because you know how much work went into it.
I also give my birds meat i like chicken and turkey. A little isn't going to hurt them just don't stuff them with it at every meal. Most birds love birdy bread and you can put anything you want in it includeing crushed pellets and veggys.Mine see me making it and get excited. When i got birds my family started eatting healthier because what ever i fix the birds will get a share too. I stopped frying food almost all together. Hunt organic foods and buy a lot of fresh fruit and veggys. Now my kids are always in the refrige eatting the stuff for the birds lol. My OWA was a seed junkie only eatting sunflower seeds and peanuts when i got her. Just taking her to the table with us and she dropped seeds and started eating pellets within a 8 days. How? I set there with a plate of pellets eatting them with her. Hey they are not to bad lol. Yea i eat more than i wanted but she got a crop full and has eat them every day no problem.

 

[ceejay]

hey melinda ok i will try and feed him that way ans see what happens so i just use a spoon? what kind of fruit juice can i use that will be safe for him? and i didnt know you could feed them meat so just turkey or chicken? i dont fry food i usually bake it so is baked ok or do i need to boil it? i tried giving him the brown rice but that was a no go too. what is birdie bread? and how do i make it? and wow you ate pellets i would not think that would taste very good lol but as i said ill do whatever i have to so sheldon is happy and healthy. lol at your kids good way for them to get healthy too. great idea though about the meds good point because i was worried how im going to do his worming every 3 months i know they say in the water but he dont drink all his water so it makes me wonder how they get wormed properly. i definatly dont want to try and force it into him. well i will try theese things and ill keep you posted thanks so much for all the advice cheers ceejay

 

[melinda]

Baked is fine. Any fruit jucie that isn't loaded with sugar will work. Mine like it to be room temp or a little warmer. Not sure who told you that you needed to worm him but that should only be done if a vet finds he has them. When you give him dewormer you are giving him poision that will build a resistance up so if he does get worms it will be a very high dose to get rid of them. Your vet will check him every year when he goes in for his check up.

Google birdy bread and you will find lots of recipes for them. It is a great way to start cooking for your bird. You can change it so you can eat it too. It will take time for him to get used to eatting with you.

I would wait until the vet shows you how to hand feed with a spoon before starting that. That way not accidents happen. Yea i eat pellets but wouldn't suggest you eat a meal of them lol. But it works to get them to try pellets. They are monkey see monkey do. The same goes for toys if you play with them and show him what they are for he will get the ideal. If he is afraid of new toys set them near his cage when you walk by pick it up and play with it a min and set it back down. With birds it is the little steps that make a whole.It might be 20 little steps before he plays with a toy and might be 100 little steps to eat fresh food but the out come is what is the in the best interest of the bird.
I hope you share each little step you get.

 

[Pedro]

For what its worth if Sheldon had regressed or was weaned to early ceejay would certainly know about it he would cry for food all the time. If he isn't screaming the house down for a feed then he would be eating enough to sustain himself, because if he wasn't eating sufficently he would be a very sick little guy by now.

Pic of one of the baby Galah's i hand reared last season. This one is 3 months old & was on 1 feed a day. They were well & truly weaned by 16 weeks old. From my experience with hand rearing Cockatoos, Galah's take the least time to wean. Being the smaller of the species.

Ceejay i hope your Vet gives you some direction to go with Sheldon because they are the most delightful little characters to have in your life. I only lost my Galah last year. He passed of old age. 75 years old to be exact. I was his 3rd home, he out lived his 2 previous owners.

By the way ceejay a little warning about peanuts. Be careful they don't have mould on them. Would be better to give him almonds much safer & better for his health.

If you have a pic of Sheldon I could give a fair idea of his age for you.

 

[Lacey]

Melinda, I have a semi stupid question but I wanted to know for meds is I should ever have to administer them. Is there a difference between " spoon feeding" and just having them eat with you from your spoon? I'm sure that sounds silly, but am unsure.

 

[melinda]

With hand feeding the food is more liquid than solid. The spoon is bent at the end to make a V. And sharing your food is off your plate out of your hand or off a normal spoon. Hand feeding most people use a siringe. I have seen many birds drown when unexp people try to feed them that way. With a spoon it is a lot slower and you can see whats going on easier. Always have someone exp show you how to do it before trying your self.
Some meds are a powder that can be added to moist food they love such as fruit or eggs after cooked. But many birds can taste it and refuse to eat it. Hand feeding helps with this problem

 

[Lacey]

Thanks Melinda! I am stocking up on things for the avian spe******t to show me when I take Reno back in February so was curious! I appreciate your help with such a silly question

 

[melinda]

No such thing as a silly question. We never learn if we never ask. This fourm is suppost to welcome all bird owners with open arms to improve the lives of our feathered charges. If we didn't ask we would never know that includes new owners and those that have owned birds for 50 years. Times are changing when it comes to bird care. I don't know no where near all i need to know but i spend a lot of time reading and listening to my avian vet. When i am not sure i will keep my mouth closed as i do not want to give bad advice and i am always willing to learn. I am sure i too will have questions that will seem silly to many other bird owners sooner or later but i will ask so i know i am giving my best to my babies.

 

[Pedro]

Melinda i didn't want to sound rude or question your experience on the correct way to feed a parrot. But i would like to also point out that a spoon fed chick can also drown. It only takes a drop to get in the airway's & it's curtains. I to have heard horror stories. IMO & my experience hand rearing any bird, one must be extremly careful no matter what we use to feed a bird with. The most experienced hand rearer can have a accident. I also teach new bird keepers how to rear their chick if they want to learn.

Yes i agree that times are changing & life for companion parrots is getting better. But there is such a long way to go. There will always be the do gooders out there with their misguided information. It's fine to say we are bird lovers but we must also be teachers & educate ourselves on the needs of our companions. It doesn't matter how many books we read or Avian Vets we talk to, nothing beats hands on experience.

All the advice i offer on this forum is from my own experiences & how i work with my babies. Sometimes it falls on deaf ears but if only 1 person finds any of my advice useful that is 1 person I have been able to help. I don't claim to know everything either, there is always room for improvements.

 

[Lacey]

Thanks Melinda! That means so much! I enjoy reading your posts and all your information has helped me so much! Thanks again!

 

[lene1949]

Melinda i didn't want to sound rude or question your experience on the correct way to feed a parrot. But i would like to also point out that a spoon fed chick can also drown. It only takes a drop to get in the airway's & it's curtains. I to have heard horror stories. IMO & my experience hand rearing any bird, one must be extremly careful no matter what we use to feed a bird with. The most experienced hand rearer can have a accident. I also teach new bird keepers how to rear their chick if they want to learn.

Yes i agree that times are changing & life for companion parrots is getting better. But there is such a long way to go. There will always be the do gooders out there with their misguided information. It's fine to say we are bird lovers but we must also be teachers & educate ourselves on the needs of our companions. It doesn't matter how many books we read or Avian Vets we talk to, nothing beats hands on experience.

All the advice i offer on this forum is from my own experiences & how i work with my babies. Sometimes it falls on deaf ears but if only 1 person finds any of my advice useful that is 1 person I have been able to help. I don't claim to know everything either, there is always room for improvements.

That's why I've always used a spoon, rather than a syringe.. When the bird knows it's eating, it's less likely to get into their airways.. the airway simply closes off, just as it does with us, when we are eating.

 

[melinda]

Pedro i only offer my advice if i have had hands on exp with it. Other wise i keep my mouth shut. Thats why i have stressed many times over to have a vet to show you how to do it. I have seen many chicks killed by breeders selling them to people that has never had a bird much less hand feed one. Nothing in my eyes is sadder than a chick with crop burn. I have worked with many birds and people over the years. I will admit that i do not know everything and i am always willing to learn. I joined this forum to offer my exp to those that come here asking for it. I have seen many threads that i don't join in because i have no exp with what is going on. If you feel i am giving bad advice then please explain to me why it has worked for me many times. I know no two birds are the same but some times you can change one or two things or use the advice of three people and solve a problem that seems you will never over come. I would rather work with the more exp members here and help these birds.

When i got into birds the internet wasn't around and most vets didn't have a clue what to do with a bird. Today help is a click away. With so many true bird lovers out here no bird should have less than a great life. These new members come here and ask for help. We can either help them or run them off. But who suffers? It is the bird. I have rescued more birds than i have ever wanted to out of a closet because it just would not shut up or it kept biting. I would love to go a year without getting one of those calls. The only way i see that happening is for us to help as many as we can.

 

[Pedro]

Seems we are beating the same drum then Melinda.

 

[ceejay]

hey melinda i wasent aware about the worming i was told this by the other fourms i have been on but i am however going to the vets in 2 days so will they do like they usually do to cats and dogs and check him or will i need to take in a sample? wasent sure on that one. i have been pretty busy today so im just now getting around to seeing the posts. today however i wet the pellets a bit and put just a sprinkle of seed sheldon ate a few bites but then he wanted out so he was out a coupple of hours and then i had to go grocery shopping i put him back in his cage i was gone i guess an hour or so when i came back his dish was empty some was on the bottom of the cage but he did eat a good bit of it. i was really surprised. then i made his fruit and veg mix with a sprinkle of seed he picked through it but most of it ended up in the drop tray. it saddens me that the man who sold him to me had him on nothing but sunflower seeds and im still so unsure of his age so there is no telling how long he has been eating them. i think your right its going to be a long road to get him on straight pwllets and get him to eat fruit and veg its going to be a slow process so should i just keep doing what i am doing? by trying different things? i got some turkey today i will try that this week. i just worry hes not eating enough im not sure how much he should be eating. i also sat today i was eating a peach and he was on the table with me he watched me and i offered some to him he came over looked at it and then backed up a little so i continued to eat it and say mmm yum yum lol silly i know he came back over a bit closer looked at me watched a few min and looked at the peach then he was like hmmm nah i aint tryin that lol and flew to the floor and went about his rounds around the house lol i will keep trying though as i want the very best for him. thanks ceejay please let me know about how the vet goes about the worming thing.

 

[ceejay]

hey pedro here is a pic of sheldon now this was when i first got him and it will be 1 month this sunday since hes been with me when i bought him the man said he was 13 weeks old as i found out through research that this wasent the case i seen pics of 13 week old galahs and sheldon looks nothing like that he has just a ever so faint tiny grey in his chest but not like the babies i seen on the net. its my fault but i took the man at his word but i love sheldon to pieces. i really do want to know his aprox age. so have a look and let me know what you think. i was told its hard to tell the exact age but even the vet can only give an aprox age. thanks ceejay

 

[melinda]

He does look to be older than 20 weeks to me but i have only seen a hand full of these beautiful birds. It sounds as if you are doing great. He will eat enough as he did with the pellets you fixed for him. Some time being a good bird owner we have to give tough love. By offering the pellets and not giving in and letting him have seed you got him to eat a good meal. His interest in the peach was great. You done great too. Birds will talk to each other in the wild "Hey come check this out it is GOOD". When you are making your yummmy sounds that is telling him the same thing.

He might look at it and look at you like you have lost your mind for eatting that. But you got him to realy look at it. You are showing him that you are a part of the flock and you are on the look out for food. It might take a while before he tries a bite but as long as you keep it up he will not be able to stop his self.

If you want to wean him off the seed by mixing it in fresh food that is fine but he has already showed you he will eat pellets. He enjoys them wet so continue offering them the same way. Just stick to your guns and don't give in.If he wants a few seeds he has to eat his pellets.

You made a big step with him. Before you know it he will be eating a healthy diet. My amazon loves for me to share a turkey sandwich with her. I can set down and she will beg until i give the some. She will take it apart to eat the meat first. Then the veggys and the bread last. Just don't give up because he seems to hit a wall and throws a fit one day not wanting what you offer. Most birds that get changed over will have at least one day they wake up and decide they only want seeds again. Just fix his breakfast and let him think it over. I have had them scream half a day over the food bowl. I just tell them thats all i have baby i am sorry. I offer loving encouragement but do not give in. You know he will eat it, he is just having a bad day. Most of the time around noon you will find them with their head in the food bowl eatting with no problem. I have had some muttering something in the bowl. I think they were telling the pellets off.

My vet gets a sample when we are in the office, but you can always call just to make sure. Most vets like a fresh sample and with birds that isn't a long wait lol.

You are doing great keep up the good work. Your little man will be a happier bird. Nothing is cutier than a beak covered with food. And i always feel so loved when they use my shirt to clean up on.

 

[ceejay]

thanks melinda so how much older than 20 weeks do you think he is? i cant wait until tomarrow when i go to the vet and get all the details on his age. all i wanted was to see if i had a baby still or he was like more adult like years old. regardless of the out come i love him to pieces and wouldnt trade him for anything in the world. so if he is older(adult) will this make things harder in taming and training? and thats my weak spot with him when he dosent eat that much i get worried he will be hungry and it makes me feel bad so at the end of the day if he hasent eatin anything much i give him a little seed minus the sunflower seeds of course. he does alot of forging on the floor which is why i make 100% sure all is clean and picked up he just walks around and looks for food like they do in the wild. when the galahs fly over outside he goes nuts lol calling to them. and i tell you never have i seen a bird get mad at himself lol but sheldon does when he trys to get on the pc desk and cant get up he stands on the floor spreads his wings full out his crest is up and starts the loud chirp chirp over and over while moving his wings what does this usually mean in the wild?then he just goes back to his soft little chirping. you have been such a great help to me melinda thanks so very much, i will let you know what the vet says when i get back tomarrow. cheers ceejay

 

[ceejay]

melinda i just looked and seen you are from tennessee? what part? my parents live in seymour my mom and sister work at dollywood. its hard being away from them but i love australia!!!!! sorry i know its off topic i was just wondering cheers ceejay