Talula pictures

[debbielabella]

since I changed her name thought I'd start a new thread. She fell asleep on my lap, it was dark and the flash is awful, but she looked so cute I had to share this picture.

[failurebydesign]

Are you handfeeding her? She looks real young how old is she?

[debbielabella]

Originally Posted by failurebydesign

Are you handfeeding her? She looks real young how old is she?

long story, yes I am. not sure of her age, 7-8 weeks?. not recommending it that's for sure, but enjoying her just the same.

[mel64511]

She is adorable! How'd you end up with a not weaned baby?

[failurebydesign]

I want to know too!

[Emmilyy]

Oh she's just the sweetest! have i mentioned i want to hug'n'squeeze her before? LOL.

[debbielabella]

Originally Posted by mel64511

She is adorable! How'd you end up with a not weaned baby?

OK.. there was an add on Kijiji for a baby Eckie. I answered it, the woman said she was 6 or 7 weeks and she would teach me how to handfeed. She was close by, and sounded very supportive, and I thought, well, everyone learns from someone. The bird looked much younger than I thought, all down except for a little red on top of her head. I figured what do I know? The woman demonstrated how to mix formula, how to tell and empty from a full crop, and fed a bird in front of me, then she had me feed the other baby. When I looked up handfeeding on the internet the temps seemed pretty high compared to hers, she had me test the water and it was lukewarm, she didn't use a thermometer. When I went there to handfeed again, the birds crop was half empty and she was feeding again because she worked full time and was squeezing the feedings in close together in the evening. I was already in love with the baby I held and fed, thought I could do better, so I took her then and there. I got some help from eckie breeders on a yahoo group who taught me everything, they were terrific. The vet said she was around 4 weeks and underweight. She has been gaining fine, and is finally where she should be, 4 weeks later.

I know, I never should have gotten into this. When I first brought her home, her crop was not emptying after 7 hours, because the temps were too cool. I was very very fortunate to get help and she turned around. I bred canaries and really wanted to learn how to handfeed in case I decide to breed someday, something I've wanted to do for a long time but been trying to fight off because of all the birds that need homes, so I just heard what I wanted to and saw it as an opportunity to have a mentor. When it didn't turn out like that by then I was attached to her. I tried to get the breeder to tell me her real age, but she only said she couldn't be sure because she wasn't incubated, but there's a very big difference between a baby from the nest box and a 7 week old starting to wean. I still honestly feel with the right mentor a 7 week old would have been OK. But this wasn't that, not by a long shot.

[debbielabella]

Originally Posted by Emmilyy

Oh she's just the sweetest! have i mentioned i want to hug'n'squeeze her before? LOL.

wish you could! she's very cuddly right now. don't know how much longer that will last.

[failurebydesign]

I would like to learn to handfeed one day just for the heck of it.
Glad things worked out for you!

[debbielabella]

Originally Posted by failurebydesign

I would like to learn to handfeed one day just for the heck of it.
Glad things worked out for you!

Glad things worked out for Talula! I was alarmed at the difference in handfeeding instructions on the internet vs what she showed me and I honestly thought Talula was better off with me.

By the way thanks for not pointing the finger at me. I still can't believe I did that, I wanted so badly to get my next bird from a reputable bird breeder/spoiler.