Found young galah. What should I feed?

HannahandSunny

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Hi everyone! I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted. Hope you’re all well?

My friend just dropped this young galah off to me. She found it being attacked by magpies in the gutter and couldn’t see any other galahs around. She said it couldn’t fly. Though I haven’t tested it, it doesn’t look to be injured. It’s bright and alert (and fiesty). And can fly into the side of the cage to get away from me. It can also perch.
I’d say it looks to be atleast 12 weeks old, which means it should be quite independent? . But I don’t know anything about galahs.
I’m just going to keep it over night and then take him to a career (if I can find one) in the morning.
But in the meantime should I be trying it with baby bird formula or seeds? Apple?

Thank you, Hannah :white1:

0gf8juz.jpg
 
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LaManuka

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Hannah how wonderful to hear from you! And it seems another baby in need has found his way to you, it looks like you might be instrumental in saving yet another life! :)

As for feeding I'm desperately scrounging around looking for some resources for you! You could certainly try the baby bird formula, and I wonder if you could crush up some of your cockatiel food and water it down to make a paste? At this point I guess whatever nutrition you can get into him would have to be a plus?!

I will post again if I happen to stumble across something more useful. Meantime, that baby is gorgeous and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if you should happen to "fail" to find a carer for him tomorrow ;)
 
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HannahandSunny

HannahandSunny

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Hannah how wonderful to hear from you! And it seems another baby in need has found his way to you, it looks like you might be instrumental in saving yet another life! :)

As for feeding I'm desperately scrounging around looking for some resources for you! You could certainly try the baby bird formula, and I wonder if you could crush up some of your cockatiel food and water it down to make a paste? At this point I guess whatever nutrition you can get into him would have to be a plus?!

I will post again if I happen to stumble across something more useful. Meantime, that baby is gorgeous and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if you should happen to "fail" to find a carer for him tomorrow ;)

Hello! Lovely to hear from you too, thanks for replying :)

I tried it with some formula, which it did want to take but my bent spoon was not doing the best job and he was disappointed that I only got a bit in his beak not down his throat. So I stopped right away as I don’t want to do any harm. I don’t have any big enough feeding syringes on hand unfortunately. And I don’t want to hold him and stress him out right now.
I think perhaps I’m best just leaving him for the night now (8.30pm), so he can rest and de-stress overnight. I’ve left water and seed in his cage.. just in case! And covered it with a blanket.
 

Betrisher

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Hannah, have you got any rolled oats handy? You can mix up a tablespoon of oats with enough boiled water to make a thin paste and offer that. It probably wouldn't hurt to add some sugar or honey just for now.

If you don't have oats, another cereal might do. Say, Weetbix or Special K or even boiled rice? I brought up four baby galahs on rolled oats back in the days when there was no such thing as formula. It did all right by them, as they thrived on it.

I wish I could have another galah. I miss Dominic. :(

PS. I used a tiny baby's spoon with soft edges.
 
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HannahandSunny

HannahandSunny

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Hannah, have you got any rolled oats handy? You can mix up a tablespoon of oats with enough boiled water to make a thin paste and offer that. It probably wouldn't hurt to add some sugar or honey just for now.

If you don't have oats, another cereal might do. Say, Weetbix or Special K or even boiled rice? I brought up four baby galahs on rolled oats back in the days when there was no such thing as formula. It did all right by them, as they thrived on it.

I wish I could have another galah. I miss Dominic. :(

PS. I used a tiny baby's spoon with soft edges.

Thanks Trish, I did think of the oats as I did similar with Pip in his early days. I will try with the Galah in the morning.. if he’s alive and well..
I have just been out to check him and I gave him a tiny guinea pig syringe of water, I only dripped it onto the side of his beak but he looked as though he was grateful for it and I’m quite sure he was drinking it.
I’ve tied a penguin Teddy next to him on the perch to keep him company :p
 

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What a cutie! He couldn't have fallen into better hands, even if it's just for a day or two, or however long. Sorry I don't have anything more to offer as far as care. Never had baby birds or galahs. I must admit, ever since I was a kid, galahs were on my list of dream birds. Sadly, I'm afraid Toos are above my pay grade, and my two green raptors keep me busy enough. They are gorgeous though! At least I have the forum, so I can enjoy them through friends here :)
 

ToMang07

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Glad to see you posting Hannah, this little guy got lucky.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 

Scott

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Welcome back Hannah, seems another gorgeous bird found a savior! Wonderful suggestions above for nourishment. Wish I could lend you my magic spoon, used by mom to feed 3 goffins from their earliest days. Just a simple "teaspoon" with edges curled upwards by pliers. I use it on occasion to this day and spoil them with a bit of fruit smoothie - they love it!!

HeFoCX4.jpg


HyYnuNM.jpg
 
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HannahandSunny

HannahandSunny

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Welcome back Hannah, seems another gorgeous bird found a savior! Wonderful suggestions above for nourishment. Wish I could lend you my magic spoon, used by mom to feed 3 goffins from their earliest days. Just a simple "teaspoon" with edges curled upwards by pliers. I use it on occasion to this day and spoil them with a bit of fruit smoothie - they love it!!

HeFoCX4.jpg


HyYnuNM.jpg

Thanks Scott!
I molded a spoon into that shape last year for a previous bird. Luckily I kept it, but still proving a little difficult to feed the galah without holding his head.
 

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How is that handsome little man doing this morning, Hannah?
 
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HannahandSunny

HannahandSunny

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How is that handsome little man doing this morning, Hannah?

He’s looking well!
He was quite flighty when I first went out. But I then managed the coax him back on the perch with my hand in a towel.

UjeJ5tK.jpeg
 
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SailBoat

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Seems the local Parrots still have the signs up that your place is a safe place...

Healthy looking young one you have there.

As always it is so important to get them to eat and drink when they first arrive...

Looking for updates as time allows. :D
 
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HannahandSunny

HannahandSunny

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I have a positive update!

I took him to my local wildlife friend, She assessed him and have him a good feed. We agreed that he was fit and healthy so his best option was to try and release him.
Here he is at Jane’s looking out the window..
fIxHtq1.jpg


So I drove him back to the spot he was found, a little park in a small town.
I popped him on a tree, He immediately chirped out to his family..
PjmU7iT.jpg


And a few seconds later we took off! Flying perfectly, a short distance up into a big old oak tree where I could hear other Galahs as he landed.
If you look closely you can see him swooping in front of the memorial bandstand thingy..
BmhHk6T.jpg


A few moments later I could hear the ‘FFFFFEEEEEEDDDD MEEEE’ noise and many sweet little sounds. It was a thick tree so I couldn’t see him until suddenly I could see 2 galahs wondering around on a branch.

I’m so pleased!
Couldn’t have been a better outcome :D
 

LaManuka

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Oh that's beautiful Hannah, what a happy ending to his little misadventure! Who knows what might've happened to him if he hadn't taken a short detour via your place? I know he's better off flying free with his family, but still i can't help but be a tiny bit sad that he didn't stick around with you ........... just the tiniest bit ....... :05: :54:
 

Scott

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I have a positive update!

I took him to my local wildlife friend, She assessed him and have him a good feed. We agreed that he was fit and healthy so his best option was to try and release him.
Here he is at Jane’s looking out the window..
fIxHtq1.jpg


So I drove him back to the spot he was found, a little park in a small town.
I popped him on a tree, He immediately chirped out to his family..


And a few seconds later we took off! Flying perfectly, a short distance up into a big old oak tree where I could hear other Galahs as he landed.
If you look closely you can see him swooping in front of the memorial bandstand thingy..


A few moments later I could hear the ‘FFFFFEEEEEEDDDD MEEEE’ noise and many sweet little sounds. It was a thick tree so I couldn’t see him until suddenly I could see 2 galahs wondering around on a branch.

I’m so pleased!
Couldn’t have been a better outcome :D

I love that pic of him by the window. While you were contemplating his future, he was staring at his natural habitat. Imagine what he was thinking? You did well once again, a great save and release.
 

itzjbean

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Just saw this thread and had to pop in and say yayyyyyyy!!!!!

I always believe things happen for a reason, and I like to believe your prior experience with Sunny helped immensely in this lost bird's journey back home safely. He could NOT have done this without YOU!!!
 

AmyMyBlueFront

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Such a happy ending Hannah! I believe Sunny had a claw in this ;)




Jim
 

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This has turned out to be such a beautiful story. Thank you for helping that sweet little guy! :)
 
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HannahandSunny

HannahandSunny

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Thanks everyone! So happy he will get to live his best life :D
 

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