Lookie what I brought home

[SWhite]

Went to the Memphis bird show yesterday. Brought home a beautiful 5 week old Baby Blue & Gold Macaw. He even likes me, he reacts to my voice. Looks like he is going to be a big one. Very sweet baby.
I think I am going to name him "Stitch".
...........Shea

[Vikingchamp]

Oh my gosh what a pretty bird! He/She is sooooo cute! Have fun with him/her!

[The Outlaw]

Beautiful baby.

THE OUTLAW

[cgrite]

what a beauty! Just thought I'd ask.... have you hand-fed a macaw b4?

[SWhite]

Originally Posted by cgrite

what a beauty! Just thought I'd ask.... have you hand-fed a macaw b4?

I have never hand fed a bird before. I was at the bird show looking for a B&G, and there were only 2 macaws there. One was a Catalena and the other was a B&G. They were both only 5 weeks old. I asked about the B&G and I told them I had never handfed before. They said it was easy, It was time to feed so they showed me how and let me feed the next serenge full. It was easy. that was Saturday. The macaw breeder that is here in Memphis was there, I buy bird food at his store ( I trust him) ( but he does not have any babies yet) I asked him if I would have any problems hand feeding, because I had never done it before. He said macaw babies are easy to feed and that I should not have any problems, If I did I could call him. So I thought about it and thought it would be better this way. I feed him, I am daddy, and he would not be taken away when he is weaned. He will still be with mommy & daddy. So I went back sunday and fed him again, and brought him home. I have the phone # of the breeder and her cell# (They live in Louisiana). I have a macaw breeder at his pet shop down the street from me. I asked alot of questions, and I got to feed the baby twice before we took him home. I feel comfortable with him now. The breeder we bought him from also had a 4 week old U2, they would not sell the baby to anyone because they said they are too hard to handfeed. They said the macaw babies are easy to feed, they have sold many this way.( they were very nice and cared for their birds, I dont think they would sell him to me if they thought I could not feed him properly)
I talked to 3 different breeders at the bird show, all 3 said macaw babies are the easiest birds to handfeed and that I would have no problems. And I gave it some serious thought, because I did not go to the bird show to buy an unweaned baby, but everyone was telling me that I would do just fine, even the breeder that I trust said I would would be fine.
So far he is doing great, the feedings are going very good. I admit I dont feed him as fast and easy as the breeder did. I get his beak messy sometimes and I feed alot slower, but I am being safe not to asperate him.
...........Shea

[Many Feathers]

I REALLY WISH that breeders would not sell unweaned babies. They do it becase it is more money and a lot less work for them. Please be very careful, even though you feel comfortable and make sure you use a thermometer and check the temperature of the food. Never ever feed over 110. If you can ,feed at 104 to 106. The breeders usually fail to warn about crop burn. Make sure you mix your formula completely, too and that the liquid content in it is correct.

I watched a self proclaimed expert feed a baby Scarlet macaw a couple weeks ago. He mixed the formula in a bowl using hot water from his tap, tested it on his arm, and then put it in the microwave for a few seconds. He fed the baby Scarlet, and then with the same dirty syringe fed his 2 year old female Hyacinth macaw, and then asked me to use the same syringe and feed another macaw with it (but, I wouldnt.) I was horrified. It literally made me sick. I use bottled water myself and always use a thermometor. To add insult to injury, he cleaned the syringe by running it under tepid water in the sink and laid it on the counter to dry. I had never seen such horrid sanitary practices before. Please be careful with your baby. Even macaws, can die easily young from improper handfeeding technique or bacteria growing on an improperly sanitized syringe.

[SWhite]

They did warn me about crop burn. I feed at temp between 104 and 107 and I mix the forumla at 1 part forumla 2 parts water. I do sanitize.
Do I need bottled water? I thought heating the water would kill the bacteria.
Thanks, Shea

[The Outlaw]

Shea:

I'm very upset at ANY breeder who would sell a macaw, especially, to someone who has told them up front that they have NEVER fed a baby bird before. That's totally shocking!

As ManyFeathers just stated, temps are VERY important. NEVER use a microwave to heat ANY formula. It can and will develop hot spots. ALWAYS use a freshly cleaned or preferably NEW disposable syringe and yes, bottled water is preferred. You also need to make sure your baby bird is kept at the proper temperature. Too cold will slow down his digestion and can lead to a multitude of problems. As for macaws being easy to feed, that's bull. They can be very difficult. They feed fast and hard and that has been the undoing of many a novice. Also be very certain that you are using a macaw formula, not just a general formula. Macaws have higher fat needs than other parrots.

And they wonder why the government wants to take our birds away from us. Now you know. Until breeders and sellers can become MORE responsible, there will be unnecessary deaths along the way. I'm not trying to undermine your confidence, but you have frankly been deceived. Your breeder was simply trying to unload a bird that he was tired of handfeeding. Your baby bird may well require handfeedings for the next 4 months. Possibly even longer. Did he also tell you that?

THE OUTLAW

[Winged_Victory]

Originally Posted by SWhite

They did warn me about crop burn. I feed at temp between 104 and 107 and I mix the forumla at 1 part forumla 2 parts water. I do sanitize.
Do I need bottled water? I thought heating the water would kill the bacteria.
Thanks, Shea

Not sure what handfeeding formula you have, follow the directions on mixing. The temperature of 104-107 is OK, if you heat in a microwave stir the formula good before you check temps, you can get hot and cool spots. You may want to overheat and then let it cool to the correct temp. If you are in the city I would use bottled water, better safe than sorry.

I hope you have a gram scale to weigh you bird, this is important. You want to chart his weight and follow is weight gains.

Sanitation is very important, don't skimp.

There are many people here on this board that will help you with your hand feeding and any other problems that may occur, just ask.

Gary

[birdsnthings]

What a cutie but I wish you would have taken him home weaned.