UPDATE: Store sending baby home too soon?

GreatBlue320

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May 5, 2015
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Baxter - Illiger's Macaw (hatch date 5.1.15);

Taylor - Black capped Conure (RIP 3.14.15 - miss you every day little "Girlie")
Okay I'm back from today's visit. Birdie doing great - very playful, showing interest in toys, very curious and wanting to explore. Ate a little of his soft foods (soaked monkey chow, sweet potato).

Store does have health guarantee which allows 10 days to get the bird checked by avian vet. Guarantee is in writing. Guarantee is for diagnosed congenital abnormality or an incurable disease at time of initial exam. Store will exchange bird for equal value or issue store credit.

Of course I realize that the bird might be carrying a disease that can't be diagnosed without specific tests (like PDD), but I'm going to have my vet test for Avian Bornavirus (which can cause PDD) and other diseases that can be determined by blood test taken during exam.

As for weaning... she has her own style. She's been doing this for years and, of course, feels she has it down perfectly. I asked her specifically how she will determine if my bird is ready to go home. She said she just watches him, feels his weight, checks his crop to see if it is full. She says she can just tell.

She had me feel his crop after he did a little eating and there was barely anything in it.

I asked her if she weighs him daily; she said she doesn't even have a scale.

I asked her if she is still offering him hand feedings at least in the evening; she said she is not offering him any baby formula at all.

She said that she does watch for regression, but how can she know for sure without weighing him every day? And she also said she knew I was local so if there were any problems, I could bring him back easily. Not my favorite answer.

That sounds like force weaning to me. So, bringing Birdie home this weekend may be a good thing so I can take over his feeding (with Laura's guidance, I hope). Not sure if it will be too late to continue with hand feeding if he has not been offered it for at least a week.

Going to get a smaller cage for birdie to hang out in until his real cage arrives in a few weeks. I can use this cage when we travel to family.

Thanks to all of you, I am feeling more confident that Birdie will be okay. I was really upset yesterday!
 

Birdman666

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Sep 18, 2013
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San Antonio, TX
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Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Yep. They're force weaning...

How do you raise baby birds without tracking their weights?!

That's a new one on me. Your early indication of problems are lack of weight gain and/or weight loss. That and crop not emptying properly/Sour smells.

So, it's kind of important to do that.

If you offer it, he will more than likely eat it.
 

SilverSage

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Sep 14, 2013
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Oh my... No words.... NOT a responsible hand raiser!
 

SoCalWendy

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Jun 29, 2013
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Kihei, Hawaii
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I went to the bird store yesterday to pick up supplies for kiwi and I asked one of the owners... She told me taking her caiques for instance... They are weaning, and still get 3 feelings a day. She is starting to cut out the lunch feeding, but she says whey won't even be ready to go home for 4-6 weeks, possible 8 weeks and that's if all goes well and they don't regress. They even allow the new owners to pick their babies up to two weeks after they are fully weaned just to be safe. She also told me that she weighs them everyday. I'm sorry but something definitely doesn't sound right with your birdie situation. I think it's sad they are doing this and putting pressure on you. I'm sure you will do all that you can for this bird, and you may even be doing him a favor. good luck
 

JerseyWendy

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Jul 20, 2012
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Thank you so much for the update.

Is there any way you can get him home BEFORE this weekend? IMHO, the sooner he is in your (and/or Laura's) capable hands - the better for everyone, especially birdy baby.
 
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GreatBlue320

GreatBlue320

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Baxter - Illiger's Macaw (hatch date 5.1.15);

Taylor - Black capped Conure (RIP 3.14.15 - miss you every day little "Girlie")
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Thank you for asking your local bird store about my situation, SoCalWendy. It only verifies what all of you have been telling me (as well as my own suspicions).

I think I need to get Birdie home ASAP. I just hope it isn't too late to reintroduce his hand feedings.

The owner isn't going to be there tomorrow so I'm going ask the manager what baby formula they have been using.
 
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GreatBlue320

GreatBlue320

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May 5, 2015
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Baxter - Illiger's Macaw (hatch date 5.1.15);

Taylor - Black capped Conure (RIP 3.14.15 - miss you every day little "Girlie")
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Wendy - scale already on the way! :D

Is it okay if this isn't the formula that the bird store was using? I'm assuming it is but you know what can happen when you assume... LOL!
 

SoCalWendy

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Thank you for asking your local bird store about my situation, SoCalWendy. It only verifies what all of you have been telling me (as well as my own suspicions).

I think I need to get Birdie home ASAP. I just hope it isn't too late to reintroduce his hand feedings.

The owner isn't going to be there tomorrow so I'm going ask the manager what baby formula they have been using.

Your most welcome... It was kinda bugging me so I asked... As far as reintroducing hand feeding, you may just have to wait and see what happens and how birdie reacts.

Don't worry too much. You seem very prepared, that's kudo points in his favor. :09: Especially when so many people buy on impulse and then have no clue what they are getting themselves into. You are ahead of the game. I think you will do fine...and you have great support on this forum, so be positive and have confidence. :D
 

JerseyWendy

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Jul 20, 2012
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Wendy - scale already on the way! :D

Is it okay if this isn't the formula that the bird store was using? I'm assuming it is but you know what can happen when you assume... LOL!

Yes, that's fine. Who knows when the last time he had a 'full' meal. I don't think you'll have any negative effects from either the Kaytee Macaw or even Zupreem Embrace PLUS Embrace® Plus Hand Feeding Formula | ZuPreem
 

labell

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Feb 17, 2014
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You have my help for sure!:D The formula that Wendy suggested is what I would get as well because it has more fat content geared toward macaws. If you have a All Pets near you they typically have it on the shelves, sometimes Petco as well but I would call first.

This woman is NOT doing it right that is for certain! The sooner you get him the better.

Even if he has been off formula for a bit he is WAY too young to be abundantly weaned so I have no doubts that he will take it again without issues. I can't believe she doesn't have a scale...GOOD LORD!!!:eek:
 

Birdman666

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Sep 18, 2013
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San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Wendy - scale already on the way! :D

Is it okay if this isn't the formula that the bird store was using? I'm assuming it is but you know what can happen when you assume... LOL!

Doesn't really matter.

The critical factor is getting the temperature correct. Too hot = possible crop burns. Too cold = potential for baby to spit it up and cause asphyxiation pneumonia.

TAKE MULTIPLE TEMPERATURE READINGS. CHECK FOR "HOT SPOTS."

Another critical factor is in not overfilling the crop = asphyxiation...

And of course, using proper sterilization techniques so you don't get bacterial infections. DO NOT SAVE UNUSED FORMULA. THROW IT OUT. IT GOES BAD. (SAVE A PENNY, LOSE $1,200 ON VET BILLS... )

DON'T USE ONE OF THOSE STUPID SYRINGE TUBES...(THE LITTLE HOSE LIKE FITTING THAT CONNECTS TO THE END OF THE SYRINGE) THEY HAVE A NASTY HABIT OF DISCONNECTING AND GETTING LODGED IN THE CROP, OR PERFORATING THE CROP. THOSE THINGS SHOULD BE PERMANENTLY DISCONTINUED... YOU DON'T NEED THAT. SYRINGE ALONE IS FINE.

Laura knows what she's doing. She can show you the ropes...

And if he doesn't take to it, then sitting on your lap, on a towel, with a bent spoon. Warm comfort food feedings...
 
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Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Even if he has been off formula for a bit he is WAY too young to be abundantly weaned so I have no doubts that he will take it again without issues.

Put it into perspective for you...

A few years back I finished handfeeding a baby BTM, similar situation to this one, sent the unweaned baby home to a newbie... who was immediately overwhelmed... panicked phone call... STOP! DON'T! Bring him to me!

Well... my OTHER TWO macaws that were 10+ years old saw what I was doing... Let's just say I wasn't throwing away any left overs. (At around fifteen years old, I'm pretty sure Maggie was fully weaned at the time.) Doesn't mean she didn't enjoy the warm comfort food, or the lap time.
 
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Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
I can't believe she doesn't have a scale...GOOD LORD!!!:eek:

I know, right?! What are we just guessing here?! I think so... Looks like... Maybe...

"I don't know what happened. He looked perfectly fine and healthy, and when I checked on him this morning he was dead. It's weird... What could have caused that?!"

STOP ME IF YOU'VE HEARD THIS BEFORE...!!!
 
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GreatBlue320

GreatBlue320

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May 5, 2015
771
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Parrots
Baxter - Illiger's Macaw (hatch date 5.1.15);

Taylor - Black capped Conure (RIP 3.14.15 - miss you every day little "Girlie")
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You guys are just the best! Thanks for the link with everything I need, Wendy!

Mark, I'm LOLing at the fact that your 15 year old birds were enjoying the baby formula!
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
You guys are just the best! Thanks for the link with everything I need, Wendy!

Mark, I'm LOLing at the fact that your 15 year old birds were enjoying the baby formula!

They sucked that stuff down... got very excited at the baby's feeding times. chomping at the bit for their turn. Okay, so maybe I made the baby's batches just a little too big sometimes...

I occasionally still give them warm oatmeal on a bent spoon just as a lap time bonding treat...
 
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GreatBlue320

GreatBlue320

New member
May 5, 2015
771
0
Parrots
Baxter - Illiger's Macaw (hatch date 5.1.15);

Taylor - Black capped Conure (RIP 3.14.15 - miss you every day little "Girlie")
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Flboy - you ARE all "birdie's" God Parronts! He so lucky that you care so much about him (and so am I).

Mark - of COURSE you just happened to maybe accidentally machete baby's batches a little too big! We spoil our birdies don't we? In a good way! What flavor oatmeal do they like?

EDIT: "machete" baby's batches?! LOL! I meant to type "made". Wonder what I was typing to make spell check decide that machete was what I was going for?!
 
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Weezerj

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Mar 29, 2015
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Portland, Oregon
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Illiger's Macaw (Loki)
You guys are just the best! Thanks for the link with everything I need, Wendy!

Mark, I'm LOLing at the fact that your 15 year old birds were enjoying the baby formula!

They sucked that stuff down... got very excited at the baby's feeding times. chomping at the bit for their turn. Okay, so maybe I made the baby's batches just a little too big sometimes...

I occasionally still give them warm oatmeal on a bent spoon just as a lap time bonding treat...


I've been at the local parrot store here when the babies are being hand fed formula...and a couple of the adult Macaws scream very loudly if they don't get some....needless to say, they get a bit of formula as well.
 

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