New Orange Winged Amazon Baby

WifeMomSlave said:

I was told to feed him three times a day every 6 hours.

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I've never hand fed an amazon - just getting that out, right up front. However, I did used to hand raise lovebirds and cockatiels for a breeder local to me. I wouldn't have waited for 6 hours between feedings. Birds have a very high metabolism, even when they're grown. When they're chicks, and growing fast, I used to feed them small amounts every two to three hours. And yes, that was round the clock, so I didn't get a lot of sleep. As you feed him, feel around (gently) just below his neck in the front. That's where his crop is, and the food you're giving him gets stored there until he digests it. If you feel any kind of lump or unusual object in there, start feeding him water, and gently massage that area to try to break it up. Food can get in there and harden up. That's called an impacted crop, and it can be fatal if it isn't handled immediately. If you can't loosen it up with gentle massage, call your avian vet. Also watch his stools carefully. Any change in color or texture should be noted. They should be white and a medium to light green, with a clear, watery fluid. If that's not what they look like, call your avian vet.

How when do I introduce other food to him and what is good to start with? When do I ad a water dish?

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Just like you would introduce other foods to a baby human - chopped up and in little pieces they can handle. My blender and food processor got a good workout. Start by introducing small amount in with their regular food, then gradually work in small unprocessed chunks. In the wild, mom and dad start by pre-digesting their food, and work up the same way.

When will he be ready for a cage? When do I decrease his temp?

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Is he in full feather? Or does he still just have pin feathers? Once he's in full feather, you can start bringing him out, but for very short periods and keep a close eye on him. If he starts to get cold, he can get an impacted crop. As he gets more comfortable in normal temperatures, you can increase the amount of time he's out of the incubator.

I don't know that this has come up before, but I have to say your breeder wasn't very responsible to allow a brand new owner to go home with a chick that still needs that level of care. You couldn't be expected to know better, but the breeder certainly should have. You've accepted a huge responsibility, and they are incredibly fragile at this stage. Good luck, and keep a close eye on him.

One more thing - birds will instinctively hide illness. If they aren't feeling well, they'll do their best to cover it up. Watch him very carefully, because the first sign of sickness means he's probably been sick for several hours or days. I lost chicks that I'd fed for weeks because I missed one little sign and waited until it was too late.

And I really am not trying to get you all stressed and freaked out. It would just be very sad to get an attachment to this little guy and then lose him because you weren't given the information you needed.

I did not read what the age of your new baby is. I urge you to take this bird to an avain vet for an exam and instructions. I just posted a reply on another thread about people that are concerned about a health issue. Our forum members are not experts in this area. It sounds like you have a very young bird. In my experience breeders do not let their birds go to homes where one must hand feed the baby (unless they are experienced). This can be very dangerous to your baby. Sorry to be so blunt but it sounds like you are in way over your head on this one. I wil pray for baby to be healthly.

Ozzy is 30 days old. I did ask a lot of questions, and thought I was given accurate info from the breeder. Until I did my own research. That is why I am here...to get some help from others who know more than I do. I have an appointment for him to be seen next week by out avian vet. And to get help from them. Was just here looking for stuff in the mean time.

I am not new to birds, I have had my double yellow amazon for 5 years and my buffons macaw for almost two years. I am comfortable with grown birds and their care.

After reading more about rearing babies...I am kinda freaked out...and pissed at the breeder for having given me such poor info.

As for being blunt..please do so...I encourage any comments. I know that I have bitten off a lot here, and do feel I am up for the challenge...just need to know the right way to do it.

Also..he is not fully feathered yet...just under half way I would guess.

Thanks.

WifeMomSlave said:

I am not new to birds, I have had my double yellow amazon for 5 years and my buffons macaw for almost two years. I am comfortable with grown birds and their care.

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That's at least a starting point, so it isn't as bad as I assumed from your first post.

After reading more about rearing babies...I am kinda freaked out...and pissed at the breeder for having given me such poor info.

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That's one reason I got a rescue parrot - he's all grown up and I don't have to worry about this kind of thing any more.

They're as dependent as human babies at this stage. Only a lot smaller, and it's harder to spot signs of trouble. I never hand raised more than two at a time, and I usually carried them around with me in my shirt pockets. I'd keep a light sweater on when it was warm, and a coat on if it got cooler. They stayed close to my body temperature, and I'd just line my shirt pockets with tissue paper to catch the mess. No, it wasn't the most sanitary thing in the world, but it worked.

Also..he is not fully feathered yet...just under half way I would guess.

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You're getting there, but the time that he'll be more independent and able to fend for himself is still many weeks away.

Thank you very much.

How often should he be eating at one month?

I have come across a few sites that say about 20 cc's every three hours...but can not determine if that means throughout the night, or just during the day.

Calling the vet again in the morning to see if we can get in sooner.

WifeMomSlave said:

How often should he be eating at one month?

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Until they're in full feather, the parents usually spend all their time watching the chicks and feeding them. About the only time they both leave is to defend the nest and drive off an intruder. They have food available on demand. The wild parents stop gathering at night, but they have food in their crop they can give to the chicks if they get hungry. Mom and dad are a 24 hour smörgåsbord. I fed all through the night because that's what they evolved with, and I don't like to mess with what works.

Whether you feed all through the night is a personal decision, but I would recommend it, unless you find that he's not hungry when you try it.

WifeMomSlave said:

Thank you very much.

How often should he be eating at one month?

I have come across a few sites that say about 20 cc's every three hours...but can not determine if that means throughout the night, or just during the day.

Calling the vet again in the morning to see if we can get in sooner.

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I have never hand fed a baby parrot, but I have hand raised many wild birds along with rehabing them.

With us as far as feeding, ever bird is different. Watch your bird, learn his body actions, know where his weight should be.

With my wild birds the got fed shortly after I felt an empty crop, these birds do have a quick metabolism, All of them.

Also you need to watch you bird because of sicknesses, some of them can kill your bird with in a matter of days with symptoms that come up and, by the time you notice, it may be to late.
I suggest reading about aspergillosis and Sour crop.

I know that this isnt in depth information,but I hope it helps.

just a bit of an update.....

Over the past few days I have gotten to know Ozzy better, and am learning his cues a bit better. He has been eating about 25 - 30 cc's every 3 1/2 to 4 hours through out the day. I check on him a few times throughout the night as I have from the beginning, and he seems to be content to sleep through the night with out any feedings.

I would like to thank everyone who has replied... very helpful info. He does seem so much happier with the more frequent feedings.

Today he began playing with one of the toys we put in his brooder with him...it was so neat to see him figure out what to do with it. He is walking around and his balance is getting better every day. He has begun to perch for a few moments at a time.

I am still working on uploading pictures.


Also, Kiwi our DYH has taken a huge interest when he see's me feeding Ozzy. He has even taken to begging ...so I gave Kiwi a bit of the hand feeding formula and he ate it up....silly guy. Guess it must be good stuff..lol.

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I am just wondering about a few things. Did you ask to get the baby before he was weened or does the breeder do this often? He does not sound like a very responsible breeder to me - cause I would never let my kids go before they can fend for themselves.

I would love to see photos of your baby and I'd love to hear what the vet told you. I hope that you find a credited breeder to help you. Good luck!

You seem to be doing well and doing a lot of research as well as asking the right questions so I have just a few points to add:

- Keep one half of the container where the baby is in darkness. Baby parrots are born and raised in almost complete darkness (they nest in cavities) and there have been studies done that indicate that when baby birds are exposed to light (and artificial light is even worse), they don't develop their eyes correctly. And, speaking of light, make sure you have a very good quality full spectrum light in the room where he is kept.

- Always make sure that the formula stays warm throughout the entire feeding (I put very hot water in a bowl and place the cup which holds the formula in it).

- Wash the feeding syringe or pipette with hot water and a drop or two of Lysol (it kills most pathogens and it requires less amount than Clorox to do it), rinse thoroughly and allow it to dry in between feedings (you might need to alternate two or three of them)

- I've never handfed throughout the night and everybody has always grown just fine but, when they are very small, I do make the nights short (last feeding at 11:30 pm and first one in the morning at 5:30 am or something like that). It is important that the crop completely empties at least once a day to avoid sour crop and impaction and I use the night to do this (with the added benefit that I get some sleep myself -LOL)

Took Ozzy to the vet, and he checked out just fine...thank goodness. He is continuing to put on weight well and is beginning to peach a little. His feathers are coming in nicely as well.

No I did not ask to get him so young. The breeder talked me into thinking this was much easier than it is. I do not know how breeders keep up with a clutch of babies...Just one keeps me on my toes for sure. I should have done more research on my own before hand...i usually do with everything else. Bus as I said...this person made me think it was a lot less stressful and easier than I am finding it to be...she was a good talker, made me think she knew what she was talking about.

Still working on finding a local breeder to help me. Seems I do not live in an area where there are a lot of amazon breeders. Well at least good ones.

I also put the food in a bowl of hot water to keep it warm, I check the temp before I feed and at least once during the feeding to make sure it is correct. I have done a lot of reading on sour crop and impacted crop. In the morning I always check his crop gently to make sure all is ok. I think I watch him more closely than I did my own kids when they were babies..lol.

I also have a question about my DYH kiwi. He has taken to demanding some of ozzys food when he when Ozzy eats. He will wait, pacing on his cage begging untill i give him some when Ozzy is done with his feeding. Kiwi was hand feed, so maybe he remembers the smell of the food? I do not give him much.Just wondering if this was a good idea or not? I check to make sure he does not have any left on him to harden...but he seems to clean himself up well.

Thanks

As for covering half the brooder...that makes sense,,,have not read about that before.

I have another question. I have been taking Ozzy with me if I know I am going to be in a part of the house for a while. He seems to like the change of view, very curious little chick. He sleeps in my room at night so I can keep an eye on him..and goes down stairs with me during the day. Is this ok or should I leave him in the same spot??

Here are some pictures of Ozzy. I have more that I need to get off my camera and phone. Was just so happy I figured out how to get the pics on here I wanted to post the ones I had..... Enjoy!

He is absolutely adorable! Thanks for sharing him.

Yes, I know people like that, they know exactly what to say and how to say it. The poor birds, what about the other babies that are taken by people who are not like you? That is just cruel!

I cant help you with answers thou - I am just following Ozzy's story and learning with you. Good luck and it sounds like you are doing an amazing job!

I don't usually move the babies from where they are until they are walking around. I keep them in a small bathroom (where the temperature is easy to keep steady and high) and, by the time they are on two feedings a day, move them into the birdroom.

Kiwi remembers been hand-fed and they all love a bit of babying every now and then so, personally, I would indulge him and give him a little bit of formula when he asks for it -but use a different pipette or a spoon the baby has not touched and don't give him not too much because it's VERY high in protein and not healthy for an adult bird on a regular basis.

I do not give him much, just a bit on a spoon... he would love more I am sure..but I do not want his weight to become and issue...last vet check he was close to his max weight already. I know that they do tend to get over weight if not careful with the food given.


I have heard of putting very small amount of baby food in with the formula from time to time. I am not sure if this is a good idea or not...wanted to hear what others thought. Personally I think the formula has all he needs right now..but could be wrong. If the baby food is a good idea...at what age do you introduce it? Seems to me if you were gonna do it at all it would not be given until much closer to weaning?

WifeMomSlave said:

I have heard of putting very small amount of baby food in with the formula from time to time. I am not sure if this is a good idea or not...wanted to hear what others thought. Personally I think the formula has all he needs right now..but could be wrong. If the baby food is a good idea...at what age do you introduce it? Seems to me if you were gonna do it at all it would not be given until much closer to weaning?

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Yep, that's what I do. By the time they are eating on their own all different types of adult food but I am still giving them two feeding a day, I start mixing mashed up food with their formula (I don't use baby food because I find it too runny and they are on a thick formula by then but I mash things like mashed potatoes, overcooked rice or barley, etc).

How is your baby doing?