Baby is not active and doesn’t want to eat

[Asli C]

Hello. I just brought home a 4 week baby conure 2 days ago. I understand that being introduced to a new environment can be scary but I am a bit worried for his health. He does chew some safe toys and preen himself, however he is shy and he usually doesn’t chirp (he sometimes does but it is very faint) and he doesn’t move around much. He also never wants to be fed.

I try feeding him 3 times a day with 6 hours between each meal at 38-40 degrees celcius with a syringe. He doesn’t want to eat at all even if his crop is empty.
This morning before eating he weighed at 56g

Any advice?

 

[wrench13]

I would bring this unweaned baby back to who ever you got him from. Feeding unweaned babies is a skill set, best done by the breeder.
IF your baby continues to not eat, he will die and pretty quickly.

 

[Asli C]

I would bring this unweaned baby back to who ever you got him from. Feeding unweaned babies is a skill set, best done by the breeder.
IF your baby continues to not eat, he will die and pretty quickly.

Thank you for this advice. He is eating well and bobs his head up and down when i feed him but he’s not very eager to eat at first. Maybe he’s too shy to eat? Is there anything I can do to make him feel safe?

 

[GaleriaGila]

I know nothing about this, but... maybe this helps?

Certified Avian Vets

Find an ABVP Specialist - American Board of Veterinary Practitioners

Find a Specialist ABVP Diplomates have proven knowledge and expertise above and beyond what is required to practice veterinary medicine. Beyond that, they have earned the privilege to specialize in the treatment of one or more categories of animals. Diplomates are in 49 of the 50 US states...

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If none are near you...
Avian Veterinarians

http://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803

In my opinion, any of the vets listed here should be better than a regular vet.
International contacts, too.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Here's a blast from the past... a great thread from Dani. (Dani, where are ya?)

Unweaned weaned not baby

So you bought an unweaned baby...

Today I spent several hours trying to help someone save a baby bird they had purchased unweaned. The baby died; they are usually almost dead by the time the new owner realizes something is wrong, not because the owner doesn't care but because they are not educated about what to look for or...

www.parrotforums.com

 

[Asli C]

UPDATE:
He is much more vocal now and calls for food He’s also exploring and climbing.
I think he’s getting used to me and the environment.

 

[LoveMyFids]

Hello. I just brought home a 4 week baby conure 2 days ago. I understand that being introduced to a new environment can be scary but I am a bit worried for his health. He does chew some safe toys and preen himself, however he is shy and he usually doesn’t chirp (he sometimes does but it is very faint) and he doesn’t move around much. He also never wants to be fed.

I try feeding him 3 times a day with 6 hours between each meal at 38-40 degrees celcius with a syringe. He doesn’t want to eat at all even if his crop is empty.
This morning before eating he weighed at 56g

Any advice?

No one should be selling a 4 wk. old baby bird to anyone, especially someone who doesn't have experience in formula feeding. It's illegal in some states as well. Good breeders wait until the bird is FULLY weaned & eating 100% solid foods on their own-usually around 4-5 MONTHS depending on the bird. If you are not going to give the bird back & request that they get it fully weaned first & then return to you, you should seriously consult with an avian vet on this because so many things can go super wrong. Baby unweaned birds need a certain temp., their formula needs to be a certain temp., how you house them is also different, feeding amounts, times, what you feed, & the technique you feed is very specific. They can easily aspirate formula & you may not even know it, causing crop infections, lung infections, yeast overgrowth, aspergillosis, & various bacterial overgrowth. Baby birds literally have NO immune system & are super fragile. It also should be completely quarantined from other pets, etc. with no contact & everything cleaned & disinfected daily, hands washed after any contact, etc. & should be taken to an avian vet for blood testing of various diseases, some which humans can contract as well. This is exactly why NO ONE should be getting an unweaned baby bird. Please consult with an avian vet instead of looking online, because what you read online & in forums etc., is usually incomplete info. & sometimes wrong.

 

[Illinoisbirds]

Thank you for this advice. He is eating well and bobs his head up and down when i feed him but he’s not very eager to eat at first. Maybe he’s too shy to eat? Is there anything I can do to make him feel safe?

Are you keeping it warm enough? If they are cold, the body doesn't process the food.

 

[LoveMyFids]

Are you keeping it warm enough? If they are cold, the body doesn't process the food.

That is 100% true. They need to be warm (like reptiles do) to properly digest their food or it can rot & ferment internally. It's very important as normally the parent birds keep them warm, not to mention the regurgitated food they feed them is warm.

 

[Asli C]

I have been keeping him warm and cozy. It seems that he was just getting used to the new environment. He’s really playful and active now and learning how to fly