Handfeeding baby Lovebird advice

[Marino]

Hello everyone!

I have adopted a 3-4 weeks (approximation) old baby Lovebird. I didn't buy it, but was given it by my girlfriend's parents. They have two Loverbirds and, (honestly) they are kept in conditions that leave a lot to be desired... They had one baby, the other eggs failed to hatch.

Before I begin, for anyone reading this that is thinking of getting a baby lovebird that requires handfeeding: please please ask yourself if you have the time to do this. This is honestly a full time job! And fraught with anxiety!

I agreed to take this one, and got to reading as much as possible before I took the plunge. I have had the little guy for 2 days now and everything is going fantastically. He now recognises the syringe for feeding, which has made my life so much easier. He (or she) now recognises when its feeding time and so can dictate the quantity he wants. I heat the formula to 40 degrees or so (thank goodness I bought a thermometer because I would never have given him something so hot otherwise!). I also think he recognises me (maybe I'm being too self-important now!), he knows to climb onto my hand, and where to find it after feeding (I always spread it out on the same part of the table for him to clamber onto).

I live in Southern Italy, so it is very warm here. Around 30 degrees in the day, 22 at night, so a brooder isn't required (I don't think). My flat remains a pretty constant 29 degrees this time of year... its horrible for me, but he seems to be doing well, and have spotted no signs of him being cold. I initially kept him in a shoe box, but that lasted all but a day... he figured out how to climb out pretty quickly (straight onto my hand), and then realised every time he climbed out he got held, so did it every. single. time. He's now in a (very) small plastic container with a grill lid for breathing. I think this maintains his temperature much better, it's lined with kitchen towel which is promptly replaced every time he does his business.

He already has bags of personality and I really am fascinated to see him grow.

But now for the question...

How much attention should I be giving him? Is it a case of as much as possible? Or is it sometimes best to leave him be? Sometimes he is very hyper and doesn't want to be kept in the container, so I let him roam about a bit under very close supervision. He usually ends up walking (more like hobbling) back to me anyway. If I give in to his every whim for company now could he end up being too dependant at a later date? Thanks to COVID I am working from home at present, so can give, and am giving him, many hours of attention a day. I have read a wealth of information about feeding but have found very little on socialisation of young birds. What's the best approach to take with a bird of this age?

 

[Zara]

Welcome to the Avenue Marino

Around 30 degrees in the day, 22 at night, so a brooder isn't required (I don't think)

If he is 4 weeks old, he will be ok if you have a good container for him (not a cage).

(very) small plastic container with a grill lid for breathing.

Be sure it is big enough for him to open his wings as in the next week or so he will do that a lot to flap.

it's lined with kitchen towel which is promptly replaced every time he does his business.

Do you have access to aspen shavings? Fill the container a few inches (4-5).
This is important for foot/leg development to avoid spraddle legs (splayed legs)

He already has bags of personality and I really am fascinated to see him grow.

Great, everything sounds good so far! You are doing well

How much attention should I be giving him? Is it a case of as much as possible? Or is it sometimes best to leave him be?

As much attention now as he will receive in the future.

Because this bird is alone, you are his primary companion. If you spoil him now with so much attention, later he will scream for you.

When you do have him with you, encourage playing with toys, you can do this together now to show him how to use them, later he will enjoy playing alone in his cage.

Because he is alone, a large flight cage would be nice for him so you can fill it with toys and enrichment, with plenty of foraging activities to help occupy his day.

 

[Marino]

Wow, thanks for the quick response!

When I first took him home one leg was splayed, which I assume was due to the excess weight the mother was putting on him. However, this has since corrected itself and he is doing fine!

He is flapping his wings now. And yes, the container is not ideal for that, so maybe I should upgrade in the next few days. I wouldn't want him to injure himself... Back to the shop!

I have tried to give him toys to experiment with, but to no avail. He doesn't seem interested in them at all and just wants to come back to me.

I have bought the Ferplast Piano 6 cage. The measurements are 34" in length, and 27 in height. I just couldn't find anything else where I was that would be suitable. All the other flight cages were tall, but lacked the length which I've read is more important for flight. The others had bar spacing in excess of 1cm which I read would pose a risk to the bird. Still, I'd hope that is enough space for a single bird of this size.

So, you advise maybe cutting back a bit on the interaction? From 6 hours a day to... 3? I think the neighbours would have a few things to say if he screamed the house down every time I wasn't there...

 

[Marino]

Here's a photo! He was quite dirty with food here. He's since been cleaned!

 

[Ali]

Soooo cute! Do you know what type of lovebird they are?

 

[Marino]

Soooo cute! Do you know what type of lovebird they are?

Peach faced I think!

And yes, he's very cute! Not sure I'd be saying that if he constantly screamed the flat down for attention though! Hence my question Is there any way to determine the gender without a DNA test?

 

[Ali]

Keep us updated with plent of pics! I would love to see this baby grow...

 

[Zara]

Yes he (or she) is Roseicollis (peach faced) and very very cute!

I have never heard of that cage but that measurement sounds great!

For your bird, you will need a DNA test to know their sex... Or wait for an egg. Sometimes their behaviour will give them away but other times it is difficult.
I have successfully sexed 5 of my birds, the females confirmed with eggs but my youngest, I still cannot tell.

Keep trying with the toys. Try little balls and bells, use a variety.
3 hours is very little time for a lone bird. When you return to work is there no way you could have more time together? Maybe some time in the morning before work?

 

[Marino]

Yes he (or she) is Roseicollis (peach faced) and very very cute!

I have never heard of that cage but that measurement sounds great!

For your bird, you will need a DNA test to know their sex... Or wait for an egg. Sometimes their behaviour will give them away but other times it is difficult.
I have successfully sexed 5 of my birds, the females confirmed with eggs but my youngest, I still cannot tell.

Keep trying with the toys. Try little balls and bells, use a variety.
3 hours is very little time for a lone bird. When you return to work is there no way you could have more time together? Maybe some time in the morning before work?

OK, will give it a go.

As for work, next year I intend to spend most my time at home. I’ll be around most days, most of the time.

When it comes to feeding, I have never been able to feed more than 4cc in a single sitting. he much prefers having small amounts frequently. Is this an issue? In the morning his crop had emptied but he just wasn’t interested until about 10am. He feeds, has a little, then decides hes finished until 2 hours or so later.

 

[Zara]

Don't feed every 2 hours.
Your bird is older now, they should be eating 3 or 4 times a day only.
In a week or so you can start offering some adult foods after the formula, so millet, veggies, mashed sweet potato, brocolli, some seed mix. Be sure to have water available next to the food, though they may not drink at first.

 

[Marino]

Don't feed every 2 hours.
Your bird is older now, they should be eating 3 or 4 times a day only.
In a week or so you can start offering some adult foods after the formula, so millet, veggies, mashed sweet potato, brocolli, some seed mix. Be sure to have water available next to the food, though they may not drink at first.

perfec. Thanks a lot for all the help. Will post more pics as things change!

 

[Yoshi&Raphi]

Adorable! I hope you stay and continue to update us with cute pictures of the little guy/girl.

 

[Marino]

He‘s eaten very well today, and I’ve only fed hI’m twice... so two more feedings to go.

I decided to put him in a big cardboard box with a jungle gym like toy I bought for when he’s older. I also put some millet on the floor to see if he’d take any interest. He’d eat the millet from my hand but not pick it from the floor, but it’s very early days with that one. Once he realised he couldn’t escape the jungle gym he relaxed a bit and chewed the wood. Was nice to see him occupied with something that wasn’t me! He then freaked out and hid in a corner until I rescued him, was also very reticent to come to my hand as well, so need to make sure I take things slowly, he certainly became a bit distressed. He really does not like big open spaces.

now he’s sleeping in his little plastic box. Thank goodness. maybe I can get some work done!

 

[Zara]

I have bought the Ferplast Piano 6 cage. The measurements are 34" in length, and 27 in height. I just couldn't find anything else where I was that would be suitable. All the other flight cages were tall, but lacked the length which I've read is more important for flight.

I was just looking at this cage because I was curious, very expensive for what it is in my opinion. Could you not get the Montana madeira cage? The difference is only 20euros and it is a strong floor cage. Even the Melodia cage (listed as a ¨small¨ cages) is larger and half the price. I don´t understand why the ferplast cages are so expensive, maybe they have something special about them?

I love the gym, I have one on my table here next to my computer, I line the bottom with paper and throw in a few ¨beak¨ toys and millet clusters, it is a great way to introduce toys and foraging. I also clip half millet sprigs to the ladders.

Your little lovebird looks great, nice and strong, good legs, feathers coming through well
What is his name?

 

[Marino]

I was just looking at this cage because I was curious, very expensive for what it is in my opinion. Could you not get the Montana madeira cage? The difference is only 20euros and it is a strong floor cage. Even the Melodia cage (listed as a ¨small¨ cages) is larger and half the price. I don´t understand why the ferplast cages are so expensive, maybe they have something special about them?

I love the gym, I have one on my table here next to my computer, I line the bottom with paper and throw in a few ¨beak¨ toys and millet clusters, it is a great way to introduce toys and foraging. I also clip half millet sprigs to the ladders.

Your little lovebird looks great, nice and strong, good legs, feathers coming through well
What is his name?

I hate you! The cage arrived today! So that ship has well and truly sailed! It looks great! But so do those other cages, especially the Madeira! I didn’t get the Melodia. I have little experience with cages but read that they were a bit flimsy and also thought the price was ‘too good to be true’. But maybe it wasn’t and now I’m out of pocket! The cage I’ve bought feels very sturdy at least. I’ve just set it up.

He’s clambering on my iPad while I type this! Glad that he is looking healthy! He certainly seems full of life! His name is Marino ha! Or Marina if it ends up being a girl of course...

he started chirping in his box so I took him out. He then regurgitated a bit on my hand. There is no evidence of him doing this in his box alone, and there was only a little bit. Does this suggest overfeeding, or was he ‘giving’ me food?

ah! Attaching the sprigs to the ladders is a good idea!

 

[Marino]

 

[Zara]

but read that they were a bit flimsy

That is a fair point, but as I don´t move my cage unless I´m doing a deep clean, it´s no big deal.
I do prefer my Madeira cages though. I made a thread on lovebird lane about my cage setups. It hasn´t been updated in so long though.

That´s a nice name. At least it is easy to change if you get an egg one day

Yea, it´s a decent enough looking cage. A good size for a single bird. Is there no grate for the bottom?

 

[Ali]

Lovely setup!

On the bridge in the right of the picture, is the wood dyed or painted? Painted wood can be dangerous as when it is chewed, the paint flakes off and is ingested. I hope it's dyed as that is a really nice setup for Marino(a)

 

[Zara]

On the bridge in the right of the picture, is the wood dyed or painted? Painted wood can be dangerous as when it is chewed, the paint flakes off and is ingested. I hope it's dyed as that is a really nice setup for Marino(a)

I believe this is dyed. I have one too. I am not 100% about OP´s though.

 

[Ali]

I have a dyed one, but the colours there look really vibrant, hence my question.