temperature for baby cockatiel

[Vanessa Sandoval]

Crystal,

thanks for the advice and the conern for the baby cockatiel - baby is still chirpping strong I'm told. I can't wait for my friend to send me some pics of him/her. thank you again for your support!

[Joel]

Originally Posted by 2horse

"........ I am not one of the fortunate ones that was born knowing all things about birds. Personal experience and the will to do the best for the bird is most often the only way to learn, even for those who now believe they were born with the knowledge."

While acquiring personal experience, trial & error will be involved - usually if not always. Having the simple "will to do the best" is fine/adequate for learning/doing things that do not involve the lives of innocent creatures such as lil baby birds. We shouldn't be making light (directly or indirectly - IMO) about the seriousness regarding the suffering or the possible handicapping of these babies either IMO. Breeding is NOT a field for anyone to get into unless one studies in advance and puts together a collection of notes, manuals, books, etc. in advance of all the related material one can get ahold of - to also include videos if needed, visits to local well experienced/dedicated/devoted breeder facilities (to see/learn how it should be done correctly), etc.....

When I write to newbies getting into the breeding field (either purposely or accidentally), I am not openly sharing my learned experiences with just that one person whose post I am addressing but I share info. & advice with all members reading our words. One of my goals will always be to try to get the message across that allowing breeding of these wonderful creatures is not something to be taken lightly because what will happen by doing so will be unnessary deaths of some of these babies (& parents even) along the way of this so-called "learning experience". Sure accidents happen but rather than indirectly writing a baby's life off (or right to a non-handicapped existence) on a public forum as ok because it is a "learning experience" doesn't help other lil babies that will wind up at the mercy of not-knowledgeable-enough newbie-type-breeders.

I already spoke with Vanessa in PMs and she does sound like she will make a dedicated/devoted type breeder. It is good to hear that she and her friend will search out all the info. they will need to either get into or continue breeding. However it really should have been done (thoroughly) BEFORE this clutch of Tiel babies were allowed to be brought into the world by allowing the parents access to each other. If it was done then, these basic questions would not need to be asked now, Vanessa's friend would have been better prepared and maybe this baby would not be in the position it now is?

Sure it is fine and best to ask a question openly when an answer or knowledge from someone else's experiences is needed quickly etc. but if one is willing to do so openly, then I think one should also be willing to hear a lil constructive criticism/advice - especially on matters of consequence.

When I myself first started keeping and then later breeding birds, I only wish I had someone to tell me of all the pitfalls involved in this field. I also wish someone got across to me (in whatever manner they chose), that doing anything less than learning everything or almost everything before getting started - would result in innocent lives being lost. If that would have happened I most likely would not have jumped into it with both feet myself before learning all I could. Sure, I too lost a few babies along the way which still hurts - I personally will NEVER forget that or think that it was ok because it was just part of the learning experience. From my mistakes, I wish to try and help other babies make it all the way up through the weaning stage at least (un-handicapped) or try & get the so called "breeders" to find some other hobby/endeavor/etc.

So, in summation, no-one was "born" with this knowledge or experience so maybe we should not be making silly little snide remarks when someone is putting the welfare of innocent lil ones (present & future babies) ahead of sugar-coating words to people who obviously have not yet acquired all the basic knowledge at least, before getting into breeding......JMO.

[Conure & Macaw Mom]

Your welcome & I can't wait to see pics. Crystal

[Vanessa Sandoval]

I spoke with my friend and the baby cockatiel is out of its "splint". He/she is getting bigger and the legs look good. The parent birds continue to care for it and it is now, I believe about 3 weeks old. Hopefully she will send me some pictures. She said she had her camera out yesterday, so hopefully she will put them up for me to see and I can post them here. She says that the baby looks like its going to be Lutino. One parent is a normal grey the other is normal grey with some yellow ticking on its neck. She said the baby is all yellow with red eyes. - oh, its sibling is doing well too and looks lutino as well.

Just wanted to update ;) Hope everyone is well with everyone and their birds!

[Conure & Macaw Mom]

Thats great news! I hope your friend sends pics. Crystal

[Monica]

Sounds like a normal grey and a normal grey split pied.... if the chick is a lutino, then it is a female lutino with a 50% chance of being split pied. Even if the chick was a cinnamon, the chick would still be female.

[Vanessa Sandoval]

Hi Monica,

That is really cool how you can determine the sex (to a degree) by the coloring. I've been reading up on that, but must admit - I get a bit lost.

Also - THANK you!! I had been wondering, but was embarrassed to ask... what is a "fid"!!!! feathered kid, that is just to cute. I had not heard that before coming to this board. I am glad I saw that in your signature line.

[Monica]

Sex linked genes are quite "convenient" like that when sexing young chicks! That is, unless the mother also carries the gene, in which case she'd be a visual.

Glad the description for "fid" helped!