Hand Feeding Macaw Chick

[Baby blu]

this is a bit more runny then I usually used to feed at the vets suggestion.

 

[Macawnutz]

Yah, that's a pretty good watered version.
So basically after he eats do you put him back in his box to rest?

I would still find a different substrate. I'm not a fan of any type of litter. I used baby blankets and just changed them often.

 

[Baby blu]

Yah, that's a pretty good watered version.
So basically after he eats do you put him back in his box to rest?

I would still find a different substrate. I'm not a fan of any type of litter. I used baby blankets and just changed them often.

After he eats yes just back in his box and sometimes he will have a play in the box before going to sleep like today.

I had the vet appointment today. She was happy with his progress. She was impressed he gained a bit of weight and she had another listen to his lungs etc again. She said the regurgitation is still because of the pressure on the lungs which are still sensitive and will take a while to get back to normal. She said to keep going with the meds and come back to see her next week. She was also really great at giving some suggestions when he will be ready to wean and what to expect. I’m so glad I came across her. The vet I originally had lined up was over 45 min drive. This one is closer and I’m really happy with the knowledge and attention etc they do all animals but have two vets that specialise in birds. And the price is amazing. Back when I had my eclectus I paid an arm and a leg to get her seen by an avian specialist and was expecting the same this time around... I was gobsmacked with the bill. If anyone reading this in the future needs a good avian vet in new south whales please send me a PM.

The vet said he is an extremely gentle bird ... he seemed to really take to her lol he even blushed when she was giving him scratches hahaha like a school boy with a crush.

There was a greenwing macawin in the waiting room when we arrived... boy I didn’t know they got that big! Blu looked 1/4 of its size if not smaller. The owner said she was over 2kg! He had her in a large dog carrier with a perch inside and she was trying to claw her way out.

 

[Matthew85]

How isbyour baby ? Hope doing well good day

 

[Baby blu]

Blue is doing good Hasn't regurgitated since about Saturday. He is on 4 feedings a day. His feeding response has also improved slightly. Still taking the medicine and we have a check up appointment tomorrow. His weight is fluctuating between 1010 and 1070 up and down though and refuses to go up past that point....the one thing that is bothering me. But he is only taking 60-75 cc a feed after which time he just refuses to eat any more. His feathers have really come out now! He perches really well and playing with toys. He even managed to climb on my shoulder (shredded my skin with his sharp claws in the process) the other day while on the couch with me.

He is really interested in food now. I have been putting a bowl with nuts and vegetables and pellets and he seems to be eating at least some of it(most of it just ends up out of the bowl of course!) which is surprising as I was under the impression that it is still quite early. But he really seems to enjoy trying all different things!

I feel like he is going to need his cage real soon as the box he is in is cramped and he spends most of his time on the perch (or perching on his soft toy lol) unless he is sleeping.

How is Rio doing @Matthew85?

 

[Macawnutz]

60-75cc four times a day is more than enough. He is not a turkey so don't keep stuffing him and worrying about his weight. Let him eat what he wants.

 

[Matthew85]

Blue is doing good Hasn't regurgitated since about Saturday. He is on 4 feedings a day. His feeding response has also improved slightly. Still taking the medicine and we have a check up appointment tomorrow. His weight is fluctuating between 1010 and 1070 up and down though and refuses to go up past that point....the one thing that is bothering me. But he is only taking 60-75 cc a feed after which time he just refuses to eat any more. His feathers have really come out now! He perches really well and playing with toys. He even managed to climb on my shoulder (shredded my skin with his sharp claws in the process) the other day while on the couch with me.

He is really interested in food now. I have been putting a bowl with nuts and vegetables and pellets and he seems to be eating at least some of it(most of it just ends up out of the bowl of course!) which is surprising as I was under the impression that it is still quite early. But he really seems to enjoy trying all different things!

I feel like he is going to need his cage real soon as the box he is in is cramped and he spends most of his time on the perch (or perching on his soft toy lol) unless he is sleeping.

How is Rio doing @Matthew85?

Rio is doing good her weight is staying around 1032 grams she also is perching here and there I've giving her a banana she didn't care for it haha I am also wondering when I should move to the cage

 

[Macawnutz]

You are going to move them to a cage when you can't keep them in the containers. They just keep climbing out.

It is a fine line as they are not able to climb the side of the cage to get to a perch and they still want to sleep on the ground so... try to keep them in the containers as long as you can.

Outfit the cage so they can sleep on a comfy ground and have really low perches in case they fall.

 

[Baby blu]

Y

You are going to move them to a cage when you can't keep them in the containers. They just keep climbing out.

It is a fine line as they are not able to climb the side of the cage to get to a perch and they still want to sleep on the ground so... try to keep them in the containers as long as you can.

Outfit the cage so they can sleep on a comfy ground and have really low perches in case they fall.

Lol Blu is trying very hard to climb out of his box but can’t quite lift his foot high enough to grab the side of the box yet... but he is determined

he seemed very proud of himself when he finally managed to perch on my arm the other day. He was next to me and my arm was on the couch and he tried and tried and finally did it! It’s like seeing a baby’s first steps. so cute watching them doing all their “firsts”

 

[Baby blu]

Went to the vet today. She seemed happy with how he has progressed and told me to stop the medicine and keep an eye on him. She suggested I start doing three feeds a day to get him more interested in normal food. I’m still tossing up about this. I know that he doesn’t seem like he wants the four feeds (turning away etc especially by the third feed of the day) but a few days ago when I did three feeds he had a really good feeding response but his weight dropped the next day by about 40 grams so I freaked out and started four feeds again. He is 62 days tomorrow. His weight this morning was 1035 grams.

She also said he looks good and active/healthy. She said a little bit of regurgitation is okay but if more then comes back to bring him back in.

One thing she did mention that has me a bit freaked out is that she mentioned that he might have permanent scarring on the lungs from the pneumonia... I should have asked to elaborate but didn’t really think about it until I already left. She mentioned this as he started panting a little after flapping his wings vigorously in her office. I note that today is quite a hot day here (36 Celsius) and he had come from a car ride which took longer due to traffic. But then tonight on the couch he was panting a little again after flapping so maybe I haven’t noticed it before as I wasn’t paying enough attention.
Has anyone had any experience with a parrot who had scarring? Did it effect their quality of life? Does it mean possible complications? Need to be more careful with things? (By the way I already have an air purifier going in the main room that he is in) what about life expectancy?
I am going back for a check up in a couple of weeks will ask her more questions then but thought maybe someone can share their experience.

 

[Macawnutz]

Your sweetie is going to be fine and not have any permanent issues. I will check my book today about feedings/amounts and see where you are at with his age.

Most inexperienced flyers will pant a little after flapping. That I would consider normal as long as they recover quickly.
Breath. Your baby is still perfect and he is not broken.

 

[Baby blu]

Your sweetie is going to be fine and not have any permanent issues. I will check my book today about feedings/amounts and see where you are at with his age.

Most inexperienced flyers will pant a little after flapping. That I would consider normal as long as they recover quickly.
Breath. Your baby is still perfect and he is not broken.

Thank you so much I’m a worry wart when it comes to him.

This is Blu playing on his back

 

[Hankmacaw]

My Hank had severe bouts of Aspergillosis three times and he developed fibrosis and one large aspergilloma. Like us they seems to have excess lung capacity and their lungs don't expand and contract like ours. Their air sacs are what expand and contract, completely from the expansion/contractions of the chest muscles.

You may as well learn how the avian respiratory system works and how efficient it is;

The more you know the more you will be able to assess her condition.

 

[Baby blu]

Im

My Hank had severe bouts of Aspergillosis three times and he developed fibrosis and one large aspergilloma. Like us they seems to have excess lung capacity and their lungs don't expand and contract like ours. Their air sacs are what expand and contract, completely from the expansion/contractions of the chest muscles.

You may as well learn how the avian respiratory system works and how efficient it is;

The more you know the more you will be able to assess her condition.

I’m sorry to hear about Hank thank you for the video!

 

[Baby blu]

You are going to move them to a cage when you can't keep them in the containers. They just keep climbing out.

It is a fine line as they are not able to climb the side of the cage to get to a perch and they still want to sleep on the ground so... try to keep them in the containers as long as you can.

Outfit the cage so they can sleep on a comfy ground and have really low perches in case they fall.

Ok so today Blu managed to climb on the side of the box ‍ I don’t know whether to try and find an even bigger box for now or transition to a cage... I managed to get a photo just as he lost his balance and tumbled back in

 

[Macawnutz]

You could try to transfer all the blankets and stuff to the bottom of the cage. What's the cage look like?

 

[Baby blu]

You could try to transfer all the blankets and stuff to the bottom of the cage. What's the cage look like?

I haven’t picked it up yet... with Blu getting sick I got sidetracked. If he needs the cage will need to go get it this week. I do have a smaller cage that I could use in the meantime. I’ll take a photo of it. The only thing I don’t like about it is the doors are not very big and would be hard getting him in and out at the moment.

 

[Baby blu]

 

[Macawnutz]

Hmmmmm, my Tupperware had very low sides. I think if he hopped out he just kinda sat outside the box doing nothing much. Does he get into trouble out of the box?

 

[Macawnutz]

Of course, mine was on the floor.