Introducing wee little Roley

[crimson]

I thought I would start the journey of little Roley.
He's the 2 day old gouldian finch I am hand feeding.

I named him/her? Roley, as he rolls around and I can never find him!he is never where I left him last, lol
last night he rolled under the paper towel and I just about had heart failure, I knew he was in there somewhere, I just had to find him.....lifting up everything ever so gently as not to hurt him. I really don't know how he does it, he would have to maneuver thru or over the jute, and around the eggs, but somehow he manages to move every time, it's quite funny.
his plumbing is working , so as long as I feed him every 2 hours or so, and keep everything sterilized,and warm it really only his best chance for survival.

I have tried this many times before, but they always die, but this is how I learn and hopefully improve the next chicks chances for survival.
my hand shakes when I feed him, he's so gosh darn tiny, but such a wiggly little dude, LOL.

So far I am encouraged he has survived the first 24 hours, so the next 36 are crucial.

I took these this morning

 

[Starlit_Night]

OMG he is so cute ! I can't even imagine how small he is, I know finches are small birds as it is!

 

[TreeBee]

awwww he's so small!!! Very cute!!

 

[crimson]

yes he is VERY VERY small, I spent almost 2 hours on the phone looking for disposable plastic pipettes to feed him with, and found nothing.
His mouth barely fits around the tip of the dropper, but as he grows it will become easier to feed him.
I called my vet and they gave me a teat infusion cannula (I had know idea what that was until she explained it to me over the phone)which is something you can use on the ends of syringes. so for now that will do just fine, yay!!!

 

[crimson]

this is what they look like:
Teat Infusion Cannula

 

[crimson]

Roley died tonight

I'm sad but unfortunately I've been thru this many times before and seen the signs of deterioration.

baby finches are one tough bird to raise from day 1...this just bites

 

[Bundiibird]

So sorry to here that Crimson. What an amazing thing you were doing for him.

 

[Echo]

So sorry . Did he get cold? Did you have him in a brooder?

 

[Kalidasa]

Ah, you tried at least he was warm and comfy with someone looking out for him.

 

[kq_fan]

Oh no I'm sorry! He was very cute and even though we never met him he will be missed.

 

[noblemacaw]

I know that you will keep trying and to never give up on your babies. I am sure what you are doing is very difficult and I commend you with such dedication and hard work and perseverance. Not many people do what you do and I am in awe of it all.

I'm sorry you lost your littlest one. I was rooting for Roley and was hoping you would have success with this baby. I also know you will continue to do for your birds and to never give up on helping your babies. My hat is off to you and I offer you lots of hugs.

Take care of yourself as always.

 

[MikeyTN]

I'm sorry that happened to you!!!!

I also use the Teat Infusion Cannula! I like using it when they're really young. Did you feed yogurt to start the process before the formula?? At the beginning you should really feed by every hour around the clock. Hope you have better luck next time.

 

[JerseyWendy]

So very sorry Beth. HUGS to you!!!

 

[crimson]

I'm sorry that happened to you!!!!

I also use the Teat Infusion Cannula! I like using it when they're really young. Did you feed yogurt to start the process before the formula?? At the beginning you should really feed by every hour around the clock. Hope you have better luck next time.

what kind of yoghurt do you use? I'm almost certain they don't survive due to lack of bacteria which they get from the parents.it usually leads to digestion issues, they don't seem to be able to break down the food properly and die...of course I'm guessing.

I just can't figure out why finches are different than cockatiels and lovebirds.
I have fed both types from day 1 (when necessary) and they all survive, except for the finches.

would I have to water the yoghurt down a bit so it will suck up into the syringe, do you warm it up at all?


well, I have another pair sitting on eggs, and they are pretty good first time parents, so I am looking forward to that!!

 

[crimson]

So sorry . Did he get cold? Did you have him in a brooder?

Yes I had him in a brooder, he was toasty warm at about 90-95 degrees, I checked the temp regularly, to make sure it was stable.
One of these days I am going to get this right!

 

[crimson]

So very sorry Beth. HUGS to you!!!

thanks Wendy....hope your feeling much better

 

[crimson]

I know that you will keep trying and to never give up on your babies. I am sure what you are doing is very difficult and I commend you with such dedication and hard work and perseverance. Not many people do what you do and I am in awe of it all.

I'm sorry you lost your littlest one. I was rooting for Roley and was hoping you would have success with this baby. I also know you will continue to do for your birds and to never give up on helping your babies. My hat is off to you and I offer you lots of hugs.

Take care of yourself as always.

thank you so much Rebecca! yes, I would NEVER give up on them, it's my baby, they are living breathing special little gifts that I just adore.
I am in awe of mother nature, and I know one day God will give me that special gift to help one live

 

[MikeyTN]

I give the active culture yogurt in the all natural section in the grocery store. With baby tiels or any birds you should provide that from day 1. I let a bit of it sit out to be warm temperature then I mix warm water not hot water as the hot water would kill off the culture! The I feed it like hand feeding formula. Let it get digested completely then feed your regular formula in a hour.