HELP, 3WK old Baby GreenWing Macaw, not wanting to eat!

[GWGordy]

OK, we've had baby GW since June 17, and we got him when he was just taken out of the nest box! So we don't have a exact hatch date, anyways with tons for research we have come to he's 3-4wks old more at 3! But he has a very slow crop, he gains weight normally and i make sure he's empty every morning, but he's sleeping all the time.. Doesn't wanna do anything, we feed him ( hubby and I take turns so he bonds with us both) and the food he spits it back out, I feed it to him around 104-105, I moved him from the 10 gallon to the tub with a heating pad under him so he can move to and from the heat. also we brought him a week ago to vet, the said sour crop and gave him a shot.. and meds.. still on med, and told is we need to forces feed him, he seem to be getting more active at times.. but still sleeps most of the day, i thought at about 4wks they livin up! We know he's still a baby but i feel like maybe sleeping more.. Again we fed him this morning at 9am and it's 4:27pm and his crop is still somewhat full.. I just worry so much! we love our little baby.. DNA comes in this week! oh he's weights in this am at 531G!

SO ANYONE WITH GREEN WING MACAW'S THAT ARE LAZY PLEASE HELP!!

 

[Parrotmamma]

Is this your first time hand feeding? A lot can go wrong with hand feeding a baby and it should only be done by an experienced person.

 

[IcyWolf]

I've never raised a macaw before but it's not normal for any three week old baby to still have a full crop after 7 hours. Are you SURE your thermometer is correct? They will become less accurate if they are dropped at all, trust me, I've had quite a few of the analog meat thermometers roll off my counter and they never seem to read right after that. I also feed my formula at 108 but if you're going to feed that high you really want to make sure your thermometer is reading accurately.

Be sure that you are rinsing and disinfecting all of your feeding utensils between each and every feeding. GSE is a great disinfectant and safe to use on the syringes. Also make sure that you and everyone else are washing their hands before handling him.

Is it possible that you stretched his crop at all? If you give them too much formula in one feeding it can actually stretch the crop which will prevent it from emptying normally and he would need a crop bra until the problem is resolved.

Like I said, I've never raised macaws but I think it's normal to be sleeping quite a bit at three weeks. The crimson bellies we have right now are about 3 weeks and they are pretty much sleeping unless they see me, then they wake up and beg for food, whether they are hungry or not. There is a difference between sleeping and lethargic/non responsive. If it's hard to wake him up or requires a lot of coaxing, it could be something really serious.

I would take him back in to the vet to have his crop checked out, chances are, he has some sort of bacterial infection that is going to need treatment.

Good luck and keep us posted. Also, where is the person you got the bird from. I would make them aware of the situation.

 

[greycloud]

This baby needs to see an avian vet asap! If there is bacteria or yeast in the crop it will cause these symptoms. Do NOT force feed him on your own!!! Babies can aspirate very easily! I did see he is on meds now. I assume there was an infection.
This baby is not lazy! He is very, very young and does not feel well. Expecting him to be very active is not going to happen.
I sent you a PM.

Please take the time to read this:http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/19049-hazards-buying-unweaned-baby.html

 

[GWGordy]

Yes, I have handfeed baby bird in the past. No not really force feeding, Just pushing him to do it more.. I am going to take him to the vet, I keep checking the temp and got a new temp so, now i use 2 of them. digital or meat one. He's never bobbed his head when he eats, Went to a local bird show today because I was told they have wonderful deals on toys and food.. to stock up on! and talked to a lady who breeds macaw 4 different types. Very helpful, but I'm thinking he's has slow crop, sour crop, yeast infection from the meds, and I'm hoping he'll be ok.. So we didn't feed him till 8.. it took almost 11 hours for his crop to go down.. That is not normal, I truly feel there is a underling issue going on.. Anything you can think to help him more please let me know.. Oh his poop looks normal and pee'ing too!

Thank you, New to Parrot Forum so looking forward to all the help we can get!! again vet tomorrow!

 

[MikeyTN]

What formula are you using??? IF you are using Kaytee, make sure you check the bag with the manufacture as they had a huge recall not long ago. In the past I had more issues with Kaytee with sour crop issues.

Also remember this, it does NOT mean the baby will bond with you better if you handfed them yourself!!!!! I have handfed a lot of babies, some leave me as soon as they're weaned. In the past they fly to my roommate, now days they fly to my partner. Some will stay with me, but not always the case! BUT I am able to train them to do what I need them to do.

 

[JJones1719]

I too had issues with my GW after he was weaned. I ended up spending over $800.00 at the Aviary Vet for the first week I had him hime. He regressed and I ended up taking him back to my Breeder.
He is just fine now, but I would advise you to take your GW to an Aviary Vet only, if your not able to feed him correctly, seek help at a rescue or have the Vet tube feed them.
Is the breeder able to help you on this matter. Hand Feeding should only be performed by someone with the know how.
Please seek out help close to you to help this poor baby. Best of luck. Joe

 

[GWGordy]

I was feeding Him/her KayTee (macaw) but now I'm mixing zupreem plus with Kaytee, The vet said i need to get baby on zupreem by it's self. I have a vet apt today at 3pm. Forgot to mention his crop is completely empty when I feed him in the am, I weight him aswell! I'm gonna try something a little different this am! Praying he'll get better! I'm gonna feed him a little smaller amout and maybe that will get it to go threw him more quickly... I don't work so I'm with him all the time.. Just need him to feel better and we should be good!

 

[GWGordy]

Thank you all!

 

[MikeyTN]

If your feeding Zupreem, make sure you get the formula for macaws. Their formula is different. Don't feed the bag with a Cockatoo baby picture on it as it is not meant for macaws! I like Zupreem formula better then kaytee, a lot of breeders disagree with me though....

 

[Lintini]

I hope your baby gets better soon!!

 

[GWGordy]

Nope I use the Zupreem Plus for Macaw with the Macaw on it! Took him to the vet, she said he's just very sleepy! And he's very healthy just a sleep should be more alert in the next few weeks and he went from 531 to 580 in a day so growing like a champ!

 

[JJones1719]

Glad to hear that his weight is improving.
Macaws grow pretty fast and each week should gain more and more weight.
As they get a little older, you should also notice their energy level increase, if you do not see an improvement please let us know. Best of luck Joe

 

[Featheredsamurai]

That's awesome he is ok! I'm so happy

 

[azdesertrhino]

Glad to hear all is going better.

We got our B&G Macaw at 10 weeks and finished the weaning process ourselves.

After reading and learning over the past 2.5 years I realize how naive we were regarding the potential problems of the process. (Aspiration, bacteria in the crop etc).

The bad part is the Pet Shop where we bought "Mac" never mentioned any of the potential problems. We went to "training" a couple of times. Fed Mac and, according to them, we were good to go!

I don't think I would attempt it again!

Best of luck!!

 

[chadwick]

I just wanted to mention that there is a recall on kaytee formula...and people are losing there birds there is an elevated level of vitamin D.. there is a list of the affected bags on page 5 of the august edition of bird talk or you can call kaytee directly 1-800-KAYTEE-1.....

 

[GWGordy]

He/she is acting a champ! Started taking steps last night!! and started to cry for food!! and bobbing head now when feeding!! so happy, we love our baby!!! Happy 4th everyone!