New baby in OKC

[jxr182]

I just got my baby male eclectus yesterday. I've spent alot of time on this and other forums doing reading before my purchase, but with no idea what i'd end up with and nothing to contribute this is my first posting. I just wanted to say hi to everyone, introduce myself and my new baby. Jojo is 3 months old, working on weaning. Getting an unweaned baby was not anything i was looking for, looking forward to, or expecting. Jojo was the breeders last baby and he didn't want to hold him. My partner has had experience with babies so I thought we could handle it. So yesterday Jojo came home. I setup a small cage to work though his weaning before giving him his permament home. I was amazed this afternoon at how much progress he made in one setting just because i tried. When it was time for his formula i instead cut up small apple pieces and carrots. I laid down on the floor with him and started offering them. At first he wanted me to put them in his mouth just like his forumula and syringe method (and all of the screaming that goes along with that), but after just a minute he was looking for the peices on my finger tips and taking them! I was so amazed how quick that went. But the best was yet to come. I showed him the place with the food on it, and in just another minute he was eating directly off the place. Well I couldn't be more impressed. Maybe this wasn't that big of a deal, but yesterday I brought home a helpless lump of feathers, and today I have baby trying to learn to feed himself. I'm so excited. I'll still be giving him his formula tonight. He's been getting 3 forumula feedings a day lately the breeder said.

Anyway I look forward to meeting all of you and having years of shared experiences.

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Welcome to the forums,

Congrats on a good start.

 

[antoinette]

Welcome and congra't to you and Jojo, love the name cool.
The forum is filled with so many tips, advise and friendly members.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BIRDS IS HERE......
Looks like you have a quick learner, as much as you put in you will get out.
You will be rewarded abundantly, daily changes will take place, amazing to experience it all.
The best days of your life have just began.
Let us know how it's going.
Take care

 

[jxr182]

It's been a few days (3) and we were just feeding him and realized he gladly took a full 3x the amount they said they were feeding him. I'm worried. Not only have we not been feeding him as much as he apparently wants, but I really don't know what they were feeding him. I have him on the same formula, but maybe I just misunderstood? I don't think so because there were two of us there. I plan on getting a scale immediately and starting to weigh him constantly. I guess what I'm asking is how do I know when he's actually done. The size and firmness of the crop is a very subjective guage and eclectus's scream anytime they're within 50 feet of formula, hungry or not. Any advice?

 

[Riley's mom]

The rule we go by when we are hand feeding is when the crop feels like a tomato, we stop. Sometimes they want more, but they don't get anymore. We also are introducing cerrios and pellets to play and munch on between feedings. We also use Kaytee handfeeding formula, making sure we check the temp closely. We know one person who did not have the formula at the correct temp and it ended up hardening in the crop and we had to flush the crop out to break it up. Wasn't fun, but the bird is okay. This is just what we do with our babies, maybe someone else has some more ideas. Good luck!

 

[Auggie's Dad]

How ripe of a tomato?

 

[Riley's mom]

Sorry, firm, but not too firm. LOL. Once you do so many, you kind of take it for granted. Justwingingit and I also, while training new parents who are purchasing a new baby, like to teach people to use the dixie cup method of feeding. Alot less chance of asperation, and the birds do really good with it.

 

[jxr182]

You mentioned some formula hardening in the crop and the steps you followed after that. I haven't had this happen thankfully, but should it happen it would be good to know how to handle it. What did you do exactly?

As far as aspiration is concerned. There's an immediate response from the bird, right?

 

[Riley's mom]

As far as the food hardening in the crop, it would be a good idea to take the bird to an avian vet to have the crop flushed. It is a touchy thing to do. Luckily, we haven't had to do that much. Asperation usually happens very quickly, but we have seen instances where the birds didn't asperate enough for them to die, but have gotten asperation pnemonia. You sound like you are doing a great job of feeding your baby. Keep up the good work.