Need urgent advice

[ziza]

Me again, sorry to post so much...So, breeder that lives close by does not seem to have males this time.

I was talking to one breeder for a while and i liked her and what she told me. She has eclectus that is 7 months old that i am getting... So, we scheduled the flight, and i am supposed to pay her tonight....I asked her for couple more photos and she sent them to me...I am worried about the way my little guy looks...She said it's normal, he is molting and he also plays rough(?) on his toys...PLease can somebody comment on the photo?

 

[weco]

Looks OK to me...looks like a young ekkie going into its first molt.....many young birds don't realize what their feathers are for until after their first molt & some take longer than that.....it's normal.....

 

[ziza]

looks ok to me...looks like a young ekkie going into its first molt.....many young birds don't realize what their feathers are for until after their first molt & some take longer than that.....it's normal.....

thank you!

 

[kc_y0]

I think its fairly typical for baby ekkys to look a bit scruffy

 

[ziza]

Thank you so much! I got SO worried my heart was jumping out! I tried to google photos but couldn't find ekkies that look like that

 

[rbreck]

Maui is 7 months as well, and molting. Not sure Maui's weight but your guy looks thin compared to Maui. I will send you over his exact weight tomorrow. We have had him for two month now and his is completely on veggies and fruit only - pellets or seed for treats. He is getting more brilliant green by the day. Hope my guy isn't FAT!

 

[sodakat]

He does look rough but by the time he's 15 or 16 months old all those feathers will be gone and his adult feathers will be stronger and the correct color. I see he's clipped. This means he will not fly for at least 6 months, probably longer because their large feathers are the last to molt.

At 7 months he should be molting his head and neck feathers.

 

[Peeker]

I agree he is going to molt those feathers out and will look much better once he does. Babies can be pretty rough on the feathers. If he isn't bathing regularly they will look a little scruffier too.

 

[Peeker]

So you finally found your boy? I'm so happy for you!

 

[ziza]

thank you all so much!
he looks bigger on other photos..but yeah, he looks a bit thin. I guess i'll have to feed him more

I actually saw him some time ago but kept looking..And then i noticed i keep coming back to his photos, and my daughter talks about him, as well...So he is our baby I am so excited! and scared lol

 

[moni.k]

Congrats!! Yay, when will he be going home with you?

 

[ziza]

Congrats!! Yay, when will he be going home with you?

TOMORROW!!! :52: i am so excited and scared!!


The worst part is that his cage will arrive on Thursday..As always, the cage i ordered was not in stock, but nobody from the store cared to call me ... So he will have to stay in a 18*18 cage for a day, poor thing

 

[moni.k]

Well, since he's 7 months. Is there anyway you can bring him after you get the cage? If it's just one day I think the breeder may be a bit more forgiving and not charge for a "boarding" day. The only reason why I suggest this is because, especially at his age they love to stretch and flap their wings in spurts of energy. I feel that even for a day an 18x18 cage is way to small. Plus the fact that adjusting to a home is already stressful enough, moving to a new home and then a different cage right after may be unnecessary stress. I know in your situation, it couldn't be helped, but always have the proper setup prior to bringing home your baby. Waiting a day or two doesn't hurt anyone, but rushing unprepared may cause setbacks in the future just my two cents.

 

[critterman]

Relax and don't be afraid. He looks normal to me for a 7 month old bird. He is probably going into his first molt. Watch his personality as the new home and the molt will make him a little scared and nervous maybe even a little nippy and grumpy. Enjoy and just to be sure take him to your avian vet ASAP to confirm his health. Enjoy!

 

[critterman]

moni.k thats very good advice. Yes make sure you have the proper size cage when you get him. Changing his cage in such a short time can be very stressful and cause more problems than good.

 

[drlisaort]

I'm so excited for you!!!! Oliver is 7 months old and has bright colors but he takes a shower several times a week, sits in the sun several times a week and eats fresh fruits and veggies every day...all of which can make a huge difference. I think your baby looks adorable and once you ger your hands on him he will blossom!

 

[sodakat]

I wouldn't worry about the small cage at all. A couple days of sitting in a cozy cage looking around his new house may be a good thing. It will let him observe how things work in his new home. Then when the cage arrives he can watch you set it up and hang his toys, arrange his perches, etc.

Contratulations on finding your eclectus!

 

[Peeker]

Ziza, I don't know if you are getting your boy today or postponed until you get the cage in, but I am excited for you! In all honesty, yeah it would be nicer to have the new cage all set up, but if you get him today and only have the smaller cage he will survive. You can let him be outside the cage for a large part of the day. Just be careful about potential hazards--other pets, or ceiling fans, pots on the stove or open doors! He may just perch on top of it and look around. Even if he is normally a very active boy, his first couple days he may prefer to sit quiet and just look around taking in the new home. Give him time to settle in, and let him watch as you put his cage together tomorrow if that's the way it works out.

 

[Peeker]

Ahahaha!! Soda, you and I were posting at the same time! Great minds think alike!

 

[ziza]

Hi Guys! thank you for answers and being so involved! So, my little baby is here and in his new big cage. Actually had to find him a cage because with all this craziness (i am 10 minutes drive from the place that terorrist was hiding...)...everything was closed, deliveries postponed...So my nephiew drove an our in opposite direction and found a cage for me..
anyway, he is here, all settled...Very calm for now, just sits and looks around...


We had an accident yesterday...When he steped up for the first time, i guess he got scared...so he fell on the floor...I don't understand if he does not know how to even glide, or got so stressed he forgot???? He just fell like a stone...He broke off small tip of his beak, poor thing (( He bit me today, so i guess he is not in any pain? He eats, too...But i am now scared if i can hold him, don't want him to fall again...