My new baby

[SpiderPig_za]

Hi all
This is my first post on this forum, but I have been monitoring it for a while. Im from South Africa.

I was able to get a female SI eckie, her name is Khaleesi (I'm a huge Game of Thrones fan lol), she is about 5 weeks old now, I have gotten her from a breeder who wasn't interested in her as the mother died. I've had her since she's been about 1 week old, she is doing really well. I'm hoping you all will be able to assist me in the right direction.
From what age can I start feeding her fruit and vegetables, I'm feeding her formula with a syringe and spoon ATM, giving her 4 feedings a day. This is my first Eclectus I have ever owned.

I'm looking forward reading replies from everybody. I will post some pics shortly

The first photo she was about 4 weeks old, and the second photo is a recent one. She also keeps flapping her wings to try and fly, its so cute.

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

Shes Beautiful...looks like you are doing a Great job. I have no experience of baby eckies but there are lots of people here with eccies and Im sure one or more of them will have some great tip for you and helpful advice...Shes Beautiful.

 

[Anansi]

Hello, and welcome to Parrot Forums!

Let me first ask, how did the mother die? And why was this reason for the breeder to lose interest in Khaleesi? (Love the name! From one GOT fan to another!) I only ask this because, if it was due to disease, it's better for you to learn sooner than later if Khaleesi herself may have inherited any health issues from her mother. Some illnesses can be managed if addressed early enough.

Okay, on to your question. If you're asking what age will she be completely weaned onto a fresh diet, it varies. Some are weaned as early as 3 months, while others have taken as long as 7 or 8 months. This is obviously under the Abundance Method, as an ekkie can conceivably be force-weaned by 3 months. I just don't personally like the process of force weaning. There is quite a bit of potential for things to go horribly wrong.

If, however, you are asking when an ekkie can be safely given fruits and veggies, I'd say around the 8 week mark. I'm not saying that I know for sure they can't try solid foods earlier, but I do know that they can safely do so by 8 weeks. Khaleesi would still be on multiple feedings at that time, but you want her to start experiencing varieties of foods in preparation for her eventual weaning. It's important that she readily recognize fruits and veggies as food when that time comes. The greater the variety, the better.

When you first start the introduction, there will be a lot of waste. She'll just be exploring and such. Or she may not show much initial interest at all. But don't let this discourage you. Keep the food readily available in her cage at all times, and eventually she'll come around.

 

[SpiderPig_za]

Thanks for the reply, really appreciate it. The mother died from the cold, the breeder wasn't at home to switch on his heaters in his averies. The breeder lost interest as the mother was his pride and joy, when I got the little one her crop was empty. I did try and give Khaleesi a tiny piece of apple, but she attaced it lol.

I will keep trying once she is a little bit older, but she is joy to have, I can't wait till she is a bit older. What teperatures are safe for ekkies? I currently use a heating mat under her blanket to help and keep her warm. Our temps in South Africa range anything from 30-42 degrees celcius in summer to 10-20 in winter, at nights it can get cold, about -7 degrees celcius.

 

[LeaKP]

Beautiful baby. I understand, it's hard here in this part of the world where there is not as much knowledge regarding parrots (I live in Malawi and have an African grey). This forum will give you great advice. Welcome!

 

[Anansi]

...What teperatures are safe for ekkies? I currently use a heating mat under her blanket to help and keep her warm. Our temps in South Africa range anything from 30-42 degrees celcius in summer to 10-20 in winter, at nights it can get cold, about -7 degrees celcius.

Okay, 30 degrees C is around 86 degrees F, which while warm is certainly manageable. 42C, however, is around 107.6F, which is dangerously hot for a parrot. If possible, you want to strive to keep the temp below 32C (89.6F).

As for the lower range of your temps, 10-20C (50-68F) is okay, but -7C (19.4F) is too cold. Birds who manage to live in such cold temps have acclimated over time, to the point of growing a far thicker layer of down feathers.

I assume you're only referring to the outdoor temps though, right?

 

[SpiderPig_za]

Yes correct that is the outside temperatures. Is there maybe any advice you all could give me about raising the parrot? The do's and dont's? I've read quite a few interesting things regarding the toys/diy toys which was really interesting. Is there any specific way which the food could be done once Khaleesi is a bit older?

 

[camo]

Khaleesi looks beautiful. The temps you describe sound close to the potentials in my area (outside), and I am sure similar to there natural environment in North Queensland, so I wouldn't be concerned. Obviously keep her temperature within a better range inside where possible (my two get brought into our main room during the extreme temperatures with the heater or air conditioning). Cool showers on hot days are a good thing.

As for hints, the biggest thing with eclectus parrots seems to be food

This is a good web site:

diets

I'm not familiar with switching young birds over to fruit and veg, so I am sure others will have some good advice on that.

 

[Anansi]

In addition to the excellent link on diet Cameron just gave you (that is the Ekkie diet bible!!!), here is the complete list of all that I currently feed my ekkies:
(6-8 types per feeding) various sprouts, carrots, bell peppers (red, yellow, orange and green), jalapeno peppers, Jamaican peppers, chili peppers, squash (butternut, green and yellow), pumpkin, blueberries, pomegranates, snap peas, broccoli, cactus pears, starfruit, bananas, grapes, kale, turnips, radishes, brown rice, quinoa, cucumbers, endive, dandelion, sweet potato (cooked), red swiss chard, granny smith apples, papaya, African horned melon, corn, hominy, oatmeal (sans sugar or flavoring), kiwi, barley, calendula flowers, fennel, star anise, chamomile flowers, milk thistle, elder berries, rose hips, hibiscus, bee pollen, chocho beans and garbanzo beans, as well as Volkman's Fancy Soak and Simmer for the majority of their legumes and grains.

Once or twice a month, I'll give some hard-boiled egg (with the crushed shell for calcium). Slightly more frequently during a molt. And an assortment of unsalted nuts or even millet spray for their treats.

And here are a few more links that you might find helpful.

http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/52737-so-you-think-you-want-eclectus.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/28350-eclectus-diet-confused.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-food-recipes-diet/57416-sprouting-made-easy.html

Frequent baths are important. I aim for at least every other day. And mental stimulation is HUGE! Eclectus parrots are extremely intelligent, so you want to engage their minds.

Okay, that's enough homework for now. Lol! Give a shout if you have any questions.

 

[gracebowen]

I can only add to the discussion of waste. When I got my fids I put fresh food out every day. For well over 6 months I threw it all away after a few hours. Then they started picking at it for several more months and I was still tossing well over half of it out. Finally they started actually eating.

There will possibly always be some waste.

 

[Uglow]

I'll leave the advice to the more experienced folks around here. A lot of your questions are out of my league. Just wanted to say welcome aboard and congrats on your new baby girl. Can't wait to watch her grow and develop.

 

[SpiderPig_za]

Thank you all so much for all the replies. I really appreciate every comment. I will upload some more pics soon.


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[GaleriaGila]

I'll join Uglow in welcoming you.
This place is a great source of support and information, as you are seeing.
The only thing cuter than your bird is your screen-name... SpiderPig!!!

 

[SpiderPig_za]

Haha thanks.

This is a photo which was taken today where she is sitting on my father in law's shoulder. I was eating an apple today and she also wanted to try it. I gave her a tiny piece and she loved it.

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[GaleriaGila]

Oh, dang, babies are so cute!
She has a very caring grand-dad, it seems. Grand-bird?

 

[SpiderPig_za]

Sorry for being so quiet regarding my baby. She made her first flight this weekend. She was on top of her cage, and when she saw me entering the room she flew towards me. I was extremely surprised, even though I got the fright of my life.

Here are some photos of her which I took yesterday.


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[coopedup]

what a cutie!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Her reign has officially begun.

Long live Princess Khaleesi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SpiderPig_za]

Here are a few more photos I have just taken of her. She really is a sweetheart to have.


ATTACH]17120[/ATTACH]


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[GraciesMom]

Aww Khaleesi is beautiful so glad to hear she is coming along nicely. I love the name!

I think the photo of her on your father in law's shoulder is just precious.
I couldn't help but notice in that picture that there is an ashtray close by Khaleesi. You may already be aware & taking precautions but just in case a word of caution... birds respiratory systems are very delicate & susceptible to irritants, smoke inhalation is really dangerous. Even if you aren't allowing anyone to smoke around Khaleesi - a few more suggestions to keep her safe & healthy. Make sure they are washing their hands really good if they are a smoker, not wearing clothes around her that have been around smoke ie. tar/nicotine/chemicals etc. These all ways that the chemicals can easily transfer to her feathers & when she preens she would ingest them, at the very least they will affect her feathers & could cause her to damage them in the constant effort to get/keep her feathers clean. I'm sure you've seen nicotine & how it layers on things - imagine feathers with that coating With the ashtray that close you'd also want to be careful about getting ashes on her or her coming in contact with the ashtray/butts when exploring.

Good luck with your beautiful girl!