Getting baby eclectus early need advice! :)

Hi Everyone,

I have a situation and need lots of advice!

I was meant to be getting my baby eclectus in two weeks. My breeders wife has become ill and needs to give me the baby eclectus early.

I am going to have to finish the weaning process myself and worried about the result of changing the hand feeder and worried about doing it!

Any suggestions and advice will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Dan.

How close is the breeder to you?
Is there any way he can teach you himself how to hand feed? Or do you have someone near by who has experience who can?
Ekkies aren't like other birds when it comes to hand-rearing. Like macaws, they're specific apart from other birds and require special care and attention. I've never done it myself and honestly I don't think I would ever want to attempt.
How old is the baby/how many feedings a day?
Make sure you get the same formula from the breeder that he was using.
The best you can do is lots and lots and LOTS of research, and hopefully finding someone who can coach you personally.
The weaning process can be tricky, like with every other bird. You'll probably want to give him 'comfort feedings' either in the morning or at night, just a little bit of formula and then fresh foods, regression is common in young parrots and the formula helps them calm down. Some people will tell you their birds were around 6 months before they were fully weaned (No more comfort feedings).
We have many experienced members on the forum, so hopefully someone will chime in with better answers.
Hope I helped a little.

I have fed pretty much everything and eclectus are one of the most difficult both to feed and wean. How many feedings will the baby be on when you get him?
Temperature is important, too hot and you burn too cold and the crop will slow down = sour crop! Eclectus like the formula on the warmer side but as I said too warm and you can cause big issues find out what he is used to, get an actual reading while watching the breeder feed! Get yourself a good digital food grade thermometer. DO NOT trust testing it on your arm even if the breeder does, this is not accurate by any stretch. How fast or slow you feed (you must feed at the babies pace) is also critical. I must say I am very nervous for this baby and you. You didn't say if you have hand fed before so I am not sure but I can tell you I would never recommend an eclectus for a person's first time hand feeding.

I strongly suggest that you watch the breeder feed and then have the breeder watch and let you do it in front of them. I understand about emergency situations but I am shocked this breeder doesn't have someone in place to take over babies in an emergency. Placing this huge responsibility, commitment and risk to the baby on a new owner especially one not experienced in hand feeding is in my mind irresponsible!

Many times if a baby switches hand feeders and it's on say two feedings it will revert back to three feedings. Being under stress from now being in a different environment as well as a new feeder can and usually does cause set backs. Will you be available to take on more feedings if need be?

If you were going to be picking him up in two weeks I am thinking that the baby is only being hand fed once a day...maybe a night comfort feeding, if that is the case it may not be quite as difficult but you still need to be careful and prepare yourself if the baby wants to get two feedings for a while. Lots of food choices must be made available. Weaning time is really critical to the babies confidence and development.

Thanks sterling and labell

I have read your comments and the advice is really good

I am two hours away from the breeder and I am going to spend a couple of hour with him to sit with them and for him show me how its done. I also am going to ask for a list and set times of when he feeds.

Some of the questions you have asked me I will ask when I see him, and will post his response and see what you all think.

Im getting him sunday! I will keep you all updated and would be great if you could help me if I have issues.

I am attached some photos, what do you think?

Thanks

Laura (labell) has given you some outstanding advice! She knows her Ekkis, so please take her advice to heart.

I want to add this: Please make sure you get the IDENTICIAL handrearing formula that the breeder is using, and preferably the same syringes (if she uses those).

I can tell by the pictures the breeder has had other things on his mind...I have never left so much dried food/formula on my babies!
They do look a little older so I am thinking they are on one or two feedings but be prepared for some regression.

I don't usually post a lot on hand feeding posts because I end up feeling I am encouraging it in people who aren't experienced and I tend to feel responsible if something goes wrong. Hand feeding is not something that can be explained in text easy and each baby feeds a little different. One of my males Jolly didn't give up his night comfort feeding until he was a little over 7 months. Please don't rush it, it is a critical time for them and you will have a much happier, well adjusted baby if you don't rush it. Due to these unusual circumstances I will help as much as I can to help you get your baby weaned properly and off to a good start.

Has the baby been clipped yet? If not and you can manage it I strongly suggest that you let this little guy fully fledge, fly and land proficiently before you decide if it's best for your household to clip or not. Learning to fly and land properly goes a long way in making a well adjusted adult.

Excellent advice from Iabell!!!!!!