No feeding response

[lilibet]

I got a 3 week old Alex 3 days ago. He's bright, alert and sooo cuddly, but I just can't elicit a feeding response from him. I assumed it was because of fear - he was pulled from the nest only a few hours before I brought him home - but he's not showing any signs of improvement. I always spend 10 minutes or so trying to coax him to eat, but he shows no interest and I end up having to crop feed him.

His weight gain is good on the crop feeds. I can't see any sign of a yeast infection. The heater is at one end of the brooder and he has the freedom to move to where he's comfortable. I always check the temp and consistency of the formula before offering it. I've tried spoon and syringe feeding without success. He will nibble at my fingers while we're having cuddles but it feels more like he's just being inquisitive than that he's looking for food.

Is this a common problem with Alex chicks? I've raised a few IRNs without any problems and expected the Alex to be much the same. Is he likely to change his mind and start eating at some point? Am I doomed to have to crop feed him until weaning?

Thanks
Lilibet

 

[lilibet]

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[KimKim]

Cute little guy/girl, I hope someone can help you soon

 

[SpotsandSally]

D'aaawww, he's so cute :3 I love how the feather looks blue in the shaft, but then it's *BAM* green! When it erupts.

I don't know about parrots per se, but since I don't know how to crop feed, if a squab (baby pigeon) won't eat, then we skip that feeding. Usually that's enough to get them hungry enough to eat later. Perhaps you are feeding him a bit much, or higher in protein/thicker then usual/natural, thus making him feel full enough between feedings (when in reality he needs to eat) and not wanting to eat. Have you tried skipping a meal? He looks plenty healthy to skip just one ^^

 

[lilibet]

Well, skipping a meal hasn't helped at all. He's still just looking mournfully at me when I offer food, even though he should be absolutely starving. The crop feeding continues Just in case there's something there that I can't see, I've started treating him for a yeast infection. If there's no improvement over the next couple of days I'll wander down to the vet and get him checked out.

(Edited to share my delight with this little guy and his galah buddy. Both of them have been 'talking' to me this evening after their feed, chatting away, and approaching to lean/rub their heads against my hand and beak my fingers. Though, to be honest, in the galah's case I think it's because he's a bit itchy with his new feathers coming in and I was a handy scratching post. Still, it's good to see them both engaging with the world.)

 

[MrSquak]

What a cute little booger bird! Tango was the same way until we switched to the EXACT food powder that he'd been eating at the breeder.

Let me also say that Alex parrots are great little friends. It's nice to come home from work and have a bird fly over to your head to say hello.

 

[lilibet]

I took him to the vet and it turns out that he has a bacterial infection. The vet interrogated me about how I look after him and decided it was probably caused by the stress of the move to a new home. He's on antibiotics and an antifungal. I'm still having to crop feed him but hopefully as he starts to feel better that will change.

I can't believe how slow Alexes are to feather up. The galah is the same age and is really looking like a bird now. The Alex is still rocking the feathered dinosaur look