Young Quaker - 6-7 Weeks Old

[JakeJM]

I have an extremely serious question, i don't wish to be seen as someone who has no clue!

I've owned a quaker for two years of my life, until he was stolen, never found since, it sucked loosing him, and it still get's me most of my time. I got him after he was weaned, from a pet store and he was my best friend. It couldn't have gone any better until that day.

I want to start again, but this time trying something else. I don't support pet stores much anymore as their just farmed for cash.

I currently have on hold, a 6-7 Week Old Quaker, fully featherd all but the head, not weaned, and currently being fed by the parents (Birds no humans)
Finding a quaker around here is really hard, everyone seems to grab them just 1-2 weeks after birth, which i think is crazy.

I want to raise the bird, i don't mean i want to get it and expect it to do tricks and play around! I actually want to wean and care for the bird.
I've been reading for days and days on all information. From feeding, temperatures, weighing the birds, health checks, etc. I'll be checking with a vet and keeping recordings.
I have the patience and time for the young one, spending my days with quality care with it.

Looking around with breeders, babies have been going out at 1-2 weeks - ALL SOLD. 2-4 Weeks - ALL SOLD - 5-6-7 Weeks, All sold but the one i have on hold.

I do need some serious views and tips on what i do. Nothing's been payed for and if it's better i leave the bird go, i will, i do hate to think that if i don't will be sold to someone with no care or information at all, I want to look at what i can do bringing it up. I've cared for puppies, i've cared for baby fish! It's not going to be just like the rest raising a bird, i understand.

So Please, share me on the best decision.

Regards, Jake.

 

[teagal]

I just got my Quaker and I'm finishing the hand feeding and weaning. He's 7 weeks old.
Just be sure to get all the information needed from the breeder. If he/she is a good breeder they'll be more than happy to help.

 

[Sheldonsmom]

I presonally think it can be very rewarding! If you have never hand feed a bird before you need then PLEASE do lots of research ask lots of questions. Have the breeder show you a few times how to do it correctly and the do's and don't. Things can go very wrong if not done correctly. I am currently hand feeding a 7 week old quaker i got him when he was 4 weeks old and it is so fun watching him grow up. If it is your first time hand feeding I would not get younger then 5-6 weeks because their is more that is require such as proper heat, and easier to have problems that could be deadly I am not trying to scare you but want you to what could happen. I use to breed birds and only had 2 out 100's that had problems so I think it could be a good idea if you have the time.

Feeding could be every 2-3 hours at a very young age at about 6-7 weeks they would need about 2-3 feeding ahead I feed at 7am, 1pm, and 7 pm and he is 7 weeks old today.

Good luck if you have questions you can always pm me

 

[Phlox]

If you haven't done it before, I'm on the side of the fence that says let the breeder finish it. And since this baby isn't being handfed, it might not even understand what you are trying to do. Better to let the bird wean first. Just training and socializing a parent raised bird is going to be enough of a challenge IMHO.

 

[henpecked]

training/taming a parent raised bird would be much easier at 7 wks then at 12-14 wks, IMO. Plucked head is from the parents wanting to drive it from the nest. Probably because they want to start another clutch. What part of the world are you in?

 

[Mrsburlingame]

I'm about to get a 5 week old baby quaker. And I have been trying to figure out what the baby eats and what the baby lives in. I've seen the bird baby formula which I thought would be all it needs. But I've also heard that if I use a syringe *no needle* I could aspirate the baby. I've also read that the baby needs to stay warm. I didn't know if that goes for a 5week old. I saw using a heat lamp could help. Any help would be great. Thanks