Progress with Merlin

[texsize]

In just a little over 24 hours I have made good progress.
The biggest problem is he is not eating much yet.

I have got Merlin 1/2 to stepping up. He knows what the phrase means and he lifts his foot up. He just isn't very good at lifting the other foot. Once I have him on my hand he wants to fly. He has been clipped and I don't have much experience with wing clipping but I guess it's not a extreme clip but a major clip. What I mean is he hits the ground quickly. So I have to hold him against my chest tp keep him from hurting himself.

I had Merlin setting on my chest this evening and he ate a peanut and some millet. I know this isn't good for him but anything is better than nothing right now. Got pooped on a few times and I ignored it. He ended up trusting me a lot and I was able to pet him a little and he was starting to fall asleep sitting on my chest.:heart:

When I walk by his cage now I am seeing body language that says "take me with you". Won't be easy going to work tomorrow.


After seeing how the breeder handled Merlin I am not surprized he is becoming acclimated to his new home. IDK I guess if you become attached to the birds you breed it is hard to let them go. If you see them as "merchandise" you might not handle them with the care you would if they were your own birds. I am sure SilverSage does not feel this way nor the rest of the breeders I have met on the forum. But I don't think the people on the forum breed for money but for passion in what they do.

 

[Scott]

More proof you made a great choice!!

 

[Anita1250]

Baby birds often do not know how to eat what is in their cups. I got my BFA when he was 11 weeks old in 1983. I had to hand feed him for about another three weeks before he could start eating on his own. However, it took him quite a long time to figure out how to do that. I did keep up one hand feeding a day for at least two more weeks to allow him to transition to eating on his own.

I then gave him soft, warm food in his cup. It was a variation of the formula with pellets mixed in. The pellets would soften and he was able to eat it easily. I then began to mix in other items which would remain hard so he could get used to them. It was quite a mess, but worth it. I knew he was getting all of the nutrition he needed, and he was able to transition without a lot of stress. Have you spoken to your CAV to come up with a plan to get Merlin to begin eating on his own? You can't just plop a cup of food in front of him. He may not be ready, or know what to do with it.

If you help him to do this transition properly, it will also increase the bond between the two of you. That will be very important in the future when he hits puberty! LOL

Anita.

 

[texsize]

Merlin does know how to eat.
Twice he has eaten millet and a peanut or two. And I think he ate some birdy bread.
I will try giving him some veggies this morning.
I tried giving him oatmeal from a spoon but did not want it.
I do still have some baby bird formula I can try.
My CAV is closed on Sunday but it will be my first call this morning.
Birds are such flock creatures when they see one bird eat something they are more likely to try it. I moved Merlin out of my Son’s bedroom and located him at the end of the hall. From this spot he can see Bingo and a little bit of Luna. I think it will make him more comfortable.

Not really worried yet just concerned. I want to get as full of a screening for communicable dazeeses (can’t spell that) as I can. The sooner I can get Merlin closer to Luna the better. He will be able to see her eat the good stuff and join in.

 

[clark_conure]

Go for sweets, strawberries, oranges, some sugar free, no corn syrup juice in a bottle cap lid. Healthy treats (in moderation) to coax the bird into friendship. I like to share calcium added OJ with clark. Or better yet not a cap lid, share the same glass.....

 

[texsize]

I called may CAV this morning only to find out he is on vacation for a month .

Made an appointment with the Vet that does exotic animals for the 2nd of November. I could have taken him in today but he is just settling in.

Merlin ate the veggies I gave him this morning and a nice chunk of birdy bread So I feel much better about the food issue.

 

[Anita1250]

Well that's a relief. They can get dehydrated if they don't consume enough. Sounds like you and he are doing just fine!

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Wes buddy,I wish we lived a bit closer my friend,I'd give you a huge hug
Another fid in the household. You have no idea how much I envy that lol. I'd REALLY love to have one more,a TAG or CAG, I just miss Smokey so much.
It seems like you and your family are just natural birdie people.
I can't wait for more stories of Merlin as he really settles in and becomes his own fid,and how the rest of your flock take to him.

I'm really interested in how Bella is going to take it. When Amy came home with me,Smokes was the "only" bird for about 1.5 years,and no matter what I did or tried,she just DID NOT want to know nothing about Amy,and Amy really wanted to be pals (that's just how she is..was best buds with Jonesy and wants to be with BB)

Looking forward to your stories and pictures!



Jim

 

[texsize]

Wes buddy,I wish we lived a bit closer my friend,I'd give you a huge hug
Another fid in the household. You have no idea how much I envy that lol. I'd REALLY love to have one more,a TAG or CAG, I just miss Smokey so much.
It seems like you and your family are just natural birdie people.
I can't wait for more stories of Merlin as he really settles in and becomes his own fid,and how the rest of your flock take to him.

I'm really interested in how Bella is going to take it. When Amy came home with me,Smokes was the "only" bird for about 1.5 years,and no matter what I did or tried,she just DID NOT want to know nothing about Amy,and Amy really wanted to be pals (that's just how she is..was best buds with Jonesy and wants to be with BB)

Looking forward to your stories and pictures!



Jim

Bella is a bit afraid of the new arrival. She use to fly into the hallway and hang off the door jams. When she fly's towards the hallway she sees the cage and makes a 180º turn.
But she did not miss out on her Red Butt Shower. She landed on my shoulder and we walked right passed the cage to get to the bathroom and the shower.
It might be a bit hard for her to accept Merlin. It took about a month or 6 weeks for her to get use to Luna and Luna is flighted. Now both Luna and Bella can be out of the cage at the same time with no problem. With Merlin not able to fly (till his feathers grow in) I think it will be more gradual and easer for her to get use to him.
Bingo does not care. He is not a bird he is a person with feathers.
Don't think the Tiels have even noticed him.

I am more worried about getting Bella to use the new tree stand I bought.
I hope for her to be able to sit on it when I move it to my bedroom. So far she does not want to come close to it even when she is on my shoulder.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

In my experience it's the typical skittish grey on excepting new things,depending what they were.
Is Merlin going to be his name? Personally,I love it


Jim

 

[texsize]

We kicked a few names around.
Because he is meant to be a partner for Luna my wife suggested Sol (Spanish pronunciation) to go with Luna (moon in Spanish).

I did not care for it and suggested Titan (Saturn's moon). Wife wanted something that sounded good in Spanish. Wanted to keep the wife happy as she was indulging me in getting the bird in the first place.

She was the one that came up with Merlin and it was unique enough and I like the sound of it. After all what Parrot isn't a bit magical.

texsize

 

[texsize]

IS it possible for a parrot to eat too many vegetables?
I am at work so I don't know just how much he has eaten but it sounds like Merlin has had 3 helping today.

It's a mixture of peas, carrots, corn, green beans, and I think lima beans.
I know he ate a piece of birdy bread this morning and I gave him seconds of that before I left for work. He also has a seed mix since I know he is use to that.
He did not touch the pellets I had put in yesterday so I skipped them today.

So far he has been a very quiet bird. He has only vocalized when he plays with his toys. Somehow I don't think that is something that will continue :18:

 

[ChristaNL]

Merlin is still a baby yes?
Maybe he just preferes the softer textures / easy cruncyness of the veggies.


I wish mine would binge on veggies!


I am not a nutritionalist but it think it is great.
The beans are starchy enough to give him a lot of energy and as long as you offer a lot of variation Merlin will get all the nutrients he needs.

 

[texsize]

Took some pictures with my good camera.
due to poor lighting only a few turned out good.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh... the classic Amazon "And your point is...?" expression!