Anyone have an age guess?

[avanderhoof]

Hi! I am new here, and a new bird owner. I haven't had a bird before. I ended up purchasing a bird that isn't weaned (I know realize that was a HUGE mistake) I am hand feeding, and after 3 days of non stop reasearch, you tube movies, books, and a call to the vet I feel OK with the hand feeding itself. I currently have some pellets and some chopped cooked broccolli in the cage for him with water in the event he is ready to start pecking around at it. The breeders (who were obviously NOT very concerned about thier birds) say he is 6 weeks old, but everything I have seen shows a 6 week old bird much more feather than Jax. What do you think?

[avanderhoof]

Please does anyone have a guess. More than 6 weeks, less than 6 weeks. I need to know so I can figure out how/if to encourage him to wean

[kellywess]

What kind of bird is he? (He kinda looks like a patagonian conure) Did the irresponsible, uncaring breeder show you how to properly hand-feed baby formula with a syringe? As well as how to make the formula? Did they tell you what and how much they were currently feeding the little guy before you took him?

[ndeben]

Jax is a parrotlet, I cant believe the breeder let you take this bird, by the looks of the picture, he might be 6 weeks. How long have you had him? my Opinion, keep doing what you are doing.. good luck

[Jessie Skiffen]

He might be 6 weeks but my guess is more like 4 weeks by the feathering. Certinly not near ready to wean. Did they at least tell you what handfeeding formula he is on? Did they tell you about the temp of the formula? When the baby is fully feathered it would be near weaning. At that time, you could start putting a small dish of veggies in for it. Do you know to keep him warm? At least till he's fully feathered.
Good luck.
Jessie

[Jessie Skiffen]

P.S. He is not old enough for a cage. He should be in a container with one end sitting on a heating pad set on low. Like a plastic shoe box.