I'm new and having trouble

I recently picked up my male nearly 9 week old Eclectus. I'm having trouble feeding him. I was given some feed that I mix with hot water and I test it on my lip to make sure it's not too hot before feeding him. But the poor baby is really scared and as much as I try to speak softly and reassure him I'm only trying to feed him he still doesn't eat much. The breeder I got him from used to feed him with a needle I think and I try with a spoon. I might have to go back to him but he is so far away I was wondering if anyone could give me some tips. Would so so so so appreciate it.

How long have you had him & how long has he been not eating?

We finished handfeeding my daughters linnie. The way we were taught by the breeder is with a paper cup, we kind of bent it on one side and then held it up to the baby, this way you are not pushing the food into the bird. The baby then eats in a more natural way like from the parent. I would put the tap water on hot and then mix the formula that way when I was done it was usually the right temp. (check first) maybe make it a bit more runny. I am no expert, I'm sure that someone will jump in. Maybe pm henpecked, he has been very helpful and he breeds amazons. he might be able to give some tips. If it doesn't work, go to the breeder or vet. Don't waste time fumbling around.

That's part of the problem when you change the handfeeder. I don't agree in doing so unless your more experienced! My babies would hiss at my partner but cry like no tomorrow when they see me. They know who feeds them! If it doesn't work for you, its best to bring him back to the breeder for help!!!

You don't want the baby to get dehydrated, that is the only fluid that they are taking in.

Huss said:

I recently picked up my male nearly 9 week old Eclectus. I'm having trouble feeding him. I was given some feed that I mix with hot water and I test it on my lip to make sure it's not too hot before feeding him. But the poor baby is really scared and as much as I try to speak softly and reassure him I'm only trying to feed him he still doesn't eat much. The breeder I got him from used to feed him with a needle I think and I try with a spoon. I might have to go back to him but he is so far away I was wondering if anyone could give me some tips. Would so so so so appreciate it.

Click to expand...

Hi Huss i live in OZ as advised by Mikey take the bird back to the breeder if that isn't possible PM me & i will give you my phone number & talk you through the process. Eclectus of that age & being crop fed are hard to get used to the spoon.

Huss how are you getting on with the feeding. Please let me know.
I do breed & hand rear eclectus babies. I have 4 chicks I am feeding ATM.

Eclectus are known to be tough to feed. The breeder should have made you aware of this before you brought yours home. Mine is 7 weeks and he decided that he doesn't want to eat much about a week ago so we have daily battles. HE MUST EAT. I carefully place my fingers on the sides of his beak and get him to open his mouth, then I sneak a little formula into his mouth with a syringe. I have heard that some people have luck by adding a SMALL amount of papaya baby food to the formula to change the taste. You have to watch out for sugar though. Are you giving him anything else? Soft warm veggies are good. I let mine experiment with sweet potato mash. He loves it. I boil sweet potatoes, mash them up, then seperate portions into ice cube trays and freeze them. When it is snack time I pop one in the microwave then serve it to him (making sure its not too hot).

He still needs formula though for proper nutrients and hydration.

If you are really having a hard time I would call the breeder to have the breeder take over until weaning is over.

Good luck

It really is a battle guys. I'm so stressed. He eats a little but then refuses. I have two separate bowls of food in his cage for him to snack on but he doesn't touch them. Toaday he is exactly 9 weeks old. In his bowls I have one with little prices of fruit consisting of little diced apples and passion fruit. In the other I have little diced carrots and some bean sprouts. Should I buy another formula to give him??? Why won't he eat from any of the bowls that I have for him??? I really appreciate everyone that has replied to me. I don't want to take him back. I want to bond with him plush kids would be so upset. When I feed him I take him to a quiet room so there are no distractions. He starts of ok then refuses to eat. I keep his formula warm and not to hot but I guess he kind of starts and then gives up. I put 2 heaped teaspoons of formula and thenix with hot water and he eats about less than half. How can I get him to start nibbling on other food. He is so shy. And just sits at the bottom of his cage in the corner. I sometimes take him out and he sits only lap and I try hand feeding him some fruits but he just wont try it. I need help or I gotta take him back.

Pedro offered to help you with the issue. If you can't do it, it's better to take him back to the breeder so he can get fed properly. What's the point of bonding if he's slowly starving to death? You can bond again once he's weaned or if the breeder can show you what your doing wrong. Did you try handfeeding him at the breeder's before you brought him home?

You HAVE to take him back to the BREEDER!!!!! You're killing your bird by starving him. You can have time to bond, but first you have to get your bird healthy again!