Suggestions on Breeders / Eclectus / Bad Experience

[cneuhauser]

Good Afternoon Everyone, I've been a parrot owner for 15yrs, and was recently in the market for a male Ekkie. My other birds were purchased on the West Coast, but now that I'm on the East Coast I looked around and found Todd Marcus Birds Exotics in NJ.

A few things had alarmed me before I put a downpayment down on a male Ekkie, but I ignored those signs. Some of the videos I wasn't happy seeing some of the cloth toys that could cause problems for baby birds etc.

I found out just a couple of days ago that my Ekkie had injested something in his bedding area which became compacted and he later passed away. As I'm sure you can imagine I was devastated, but I also learned that they're using recycled paper bedding. My first question is that from what I've read there are alternatives to recycled paper, and specific bedding that can be used to minimize tragedies like this from happening.

Secondly, I'm still looking for a baby male Ekkie, and looking for suggestions on the east coast. I plan on making a drive for vacation to pick up the Bird then come home; I don't like the idea of shipping. Lastly, any other experiences with Todd Marcus in NJ? Both good or bad? Maybe this was just a "one-off" issue but my gut leads me to believe otherwise.

Could really use some insight and advice, as all of my connections are on the West Coast. Thanks,

 

[noodles123]

I'm not sure how old he was, but for most birds old enough to adopt (weaned etc) You shouldn't use bedding at all---1. it is a hazard for blockages, 2. it is a bacterial sponge, 3. it is a hormonal trigger...Now, an ufeathered baby is different (because they have warmth needs that an older parrot won't)...paper towels or towels are not uncommon, and sometimes other forms of bedding are used (even though that is not ideal in my opinion) and while those COULD be ingested by a larger bird, an unweaned baby is unlikely to eat them UNLESS they have a nutritional deficiency or something (and paper towels are a lot harder to eat then bedding..)...

For a weaned baby- Just use black and white newspaper or paper towels, or butcher paper, or any non-glossy white paper as a lining under the grate....

Get a FULLY WEANED bird-- that is SO important and hand-rearing will NOT improve your bond in the long run...in fact, it can actually harm your relationship long-term in some cases and it is full of health risks.

https://hari.ca/hari/research-facil...cine-pediatrics-housing-feeding-baby-parrots/

 

[cneuhauser]

Thank you for the additional information. This Ekkie was only 8 weeks old and still being weened. So it sounds like this may in fact be a possibility; but it leads me to another question, and I'm wondering if they were trying too hard to get this lil bird weened, because I had him on layaway... and in conclusion they ultimately pushed this lil creature too hard just to get him ready to come home with me. Lots to think about...

Anyways, I do appreciate the assistance.

 

[noodles123]

There is forced weaning and abundance weaning--- the latter is better for the bird.