handfeeding questions

[jriley]

Wow, that's quite a flock you have! I had wondered about giving water after a feeding, but hadn't done so yet. I've been mixing the formula relatively thin because she had seemed dehydrated the other day. I need to find a store that has a birdie scale. I suppose it would be faster just to order one online given that our little town doesn't even have a pet store. I'm really looking forward to hearing what the vet has to say tomorrow. I'm thrilled to have her, but I realize now I didn't quite know what I was getting into with the handfeeding. I figured from what her prior owner said that she was just about weaned and just needed feedings as a supplement. I want to make sure I'm doing everything right for her!

Julie

[Joel]

Originally Posted by jriley

Wow, that's quite a flock you have! I had wondered about giving water after a feeding, but hadn't done so yet. I've been mixing the formula relatively thin because she had seemed dehydrated the other day. I need to find a store that has a birdie scale. I suppose it would be faster just to order one online given that our little town doesn't even have a pet store. I'm really looking forward to hearing what the vet has to say tomorrow. I'm thrilled to have her, but I realize now I didn't quite know what I was getting into with the handfeeding. I figured from what her prior owner said that she was just about weaned and just needed feedings as a supplement. I want to make sure I'm doing everything right for her!

Julie

I advise you do not give any water unless it is mixed in with the formula - you do not want to take any chance of aspirating her. Just thin the formula somewhat - if ya feel necessary or if she shows signs of needing more hydration.

[Joel]

Originally Posted by jriley

Thank you everyone for the input. I will look for that book. She seems even brighter and happier today, so I guess she really does need three feedings a day for now. She did refuse her formula this morning, mostly, and I guess it must have been a bit cold since I didn't check the temperature (just dipped a finger in). I will be sure to actually check the temperature from now on.

Julie

For anyone that handfeeds babies, you really should purchase (in addition to other books) Handfeeding & Nursery Management.

I believe it still can be purchased at Bird books and bird DVDs from Avian Publications. Bird books and bird DVDs about the keeping, care, and breeding of parrots and other birds.

Please spend the $45 approx. and become knowledgeable in the hobby/field/etc.

[Bagwellfan]

Well, I add the 5cc's as per my avian vets instructions after 2 months of age. Been doing this for over 8 years. You also do not want to make your handfeed formula too thin, they loss the nutrition you want their bodies to have with it running through the body to fast.

[jriley]

Well, we're back from our first vet visit. It was my first time meeting our local avian vet (I know, shame on me, I haven't brought our Quaker or the 'tiels in yet for an exam). She was very nice and I was impressed by how knowledgeable and bird-friendly everyone was. They keep the bird exam rooms separate from the other species and they were very competent and professional while handling her. She says Molly may be a boy but it's too soon to tell without DNA or surgical sexing (doesn't really matter to me, she'll never be a breeder). She said that, other than the dingy cigarette smoke feathers, she looks to be in good health and is at a good weight with good muscle tone. They did a fecal gram stain (which was negative) and did the polyoma vaccine. She said that I should switch back to a spoon rather than the syringe for feeding and that I should cut her back to two feedings a day. She said that I should leave her slightly hungry with each feeding and that she will be more likely to try her grownup foods if I feed her formula first to take the edge off. I did notice this morning that as soon as I put her back in her cage after her morning feeding, she went over to her pellets and starting eating them. That's the first time I've seen her eat them. My girls say they saw her eating pellets again this afternoon when they got home from school. That makes me feel better!

She sent me home with a bunch of new owner pamphlets and a video about foraging. She was very concerned about behavioral issues and was great about explaining how to work with her (though most of it I already knew, having had an umbrella 'too before).

Overall, it was a good visit. I feel better having had Molly get a good once-over and hearing that she is in good health. She seems more active and alert every day and is starting to show some personality. She has started making this noise when we walk into the room that sounds almost exactly like someone saying "What?!" I'm sure it's just some random cockatoo noise, but since we get such a kick out of it and repeat "What?!" right back, I'm sure one day that is what it'll turn out to mean LOL.

I appreciate the advice above. I also heard from the vet that I should try adding a water bottle to the cage to see if that will encourage her to drink. We have a bird fair down the road Saturday, so I'm going to see if I can find any neat goodies. Maybe I can get that scale, too!

Julie

[Bagwellfan]

What a great vet visit. I am glad you were impressed with the avian vet. Glad the darling is doing so good. You are doing a wonderful job.