Handfeeding baby Lovebird advice

[Marino]

Did you feed him in the box? Best to feed him out of the cage.
Reach in and pick him up and pull him out. If he wants to snuggle with you, let him snuggle, if he wants to play, let him play.

By feed I meant pieces of fruit. Not formula.

 

[Zara]

It is a big change for him, but he will adjust.
Just be sure to pull him out and spend time out of the cage.

 

[Marino]

So, today I have only fed him twice.

I had to go out early this morning. He wakes at 8, and never wants food, so I didn't feed him until I got home at 12. He ate around 6-7ccs. Then he was begging like crazy at 6pm, so I he ate 8ccs then. He won't get anymore today unless he begs, but he won't.

I'll try to stick to two feeds a day from now on unless he begs. In which case I'll give him what he wants. He is eating, but not often in the cage. He had a play today. He was falling all over the place but it was definitely progress! I can never understand if he is playing, or if he is freaked out and losing it!

 

[Marino]

So, I'v removed the sock in his box. He was getting strange. All he wanted to do was be with the sock. I tried taking him out for some time out. He went mad, and ran back to it. I feel like the sock has sort of become like a mother? I don't know whether that is healthy or not.

He definitely doesn't need the sock for warmth... it's absolutely boiling here. I've even seen him panting whilst latched onto it. He'd be fine otherwise...

Handfeeding was a doddle, this is what is causing me stress!

 

[Marino]

It's weird. It feels like I'e just taken home a new bird. He's flightly around my hand, where he once would seek it. He goes mad if I put my hand in the cage.

 

[Zara]

I feel like the sock has sort of become like a mother? I don't know whether that is healthy or not.

The sock is like a flockmate. It provides not only warmth, but a sense of security.
If he is ok without it, then taking it away is no problem. Or you could just offer it for sleeping. Whatever you feel is best

 

[Marino]

The sock is like a flockmate. It provides not only warmth, but a sense of security.
If he is ok without it, then taking it away is no problem. Or you could just offer it for sleeping. Whatever you feel is best

I have no idea what is best . I took it out and he started pacing. So I've put it back. He will now cling to it to avoid being handled, which is behaviour I have never seen before. I probably made a mistake and took him out regardless. He was ok for a period, but then wanted to go back to the sock... instead of begging to come out the cage, he never wants to leave that box with the sock, and if I try to interact he rejects me.

I don't know whether i should leave him alone, remove the sock, handle him regardless or what?

 

[Zara]

I would remove it. If he gets too attached he may not want to eat etc. Remove it and offer a new toy (outside the cage) to take his mind off it.

 

[Marino]

I would remove it. If he gets too attached he may not want to eat etc. Remove it and offer a new toy (outside the cage) to take his mind off it.

OK have done.

Also, the box is like an invisible line. It is a seethrough plastic container, but he will not venture out. Even if there is food, he won't venture out. He will take food from my hand if I offer it within the box, but heaven forbid should he ever walk out of it to get some. If I put him in the cage he will immediately sprint to the box, and will come out for nothing.

Bah!

 

[Zara]

Give him time. That box is all he knows. He knows he is safe in there. He will eventually venture out. Put bowls of food and water right next to the box for him when he is in there.

 

[Marino]

An update for the day!

in his cage he is always in one of two places: the box or a corner on the opposite side. He never bothers exploring any other part.

He now actively flees from me. But once I remove him from the cage (unfortunately often against his will) he is absolutely fine. I can put him on the table in his climbing frame and he’ll take food from me, relax in my hand, if I pick him up he does so without attempting to get away.

its all very odd. He also will never eat in the cage unless I give it to him by hand. I’m taking him out every 3 hours or so to get him moving and to keep him socialised.

ah, when it comes to handfeeding time he screams the place down and will climb onto my hand the leave. No fleeing then.

 

[Marino]

So, Marino is basically back to his old self. Except now he flies! I removed the box in the cage and within a day saw some improvement. It made him much more willing to explore. He still has his favourite corner that he can be found in most of the time, but he climbs and flies about often too!

As for hand feeding, he seems to be regressing somewhat in that department. He begs three times a day and I give it to him. He very rarely eats food. Less rarely than before. This is a bit annoying as I can provide no positive reinforcement for anything I want to encourage! He is content to explore and play alone for hours, but never with anything specific! He’s even gone off millet!

 

[Ali]

Yayyyyyyyyyyy!

Such a great update. Let's keep these pictures coming!

 

[Zara]

This is a bit annoying as I can provide no positive reinforcement for anything I want to encourage!

Some times a simple ¨good bird¨and a touch (either a little head rub, etc) can be rewarding to them if they enjoy those things.

He is content to explore and play alone for hours, but never with anything specific!

That is very good! It´s is very important that he is independant.

Sounds like a good update
Don´t worry about the formula, if he wants it, give it. He´ll get to weaning when he´s ready

 

[Marino]

Some times a simple ¨good bird¨and a touch (either a little head rub, etc) can be rewarding to them if they enjoy those things.


That is very good! It´s is very important that he is independant.

Sounds like a good update
Don´t worry about the formula, if he wants it, give it. He´ll get to weaning when he´s ready

He's too independant!

He screams the flat down for food, flies on my shoulder and bursts my ear drum. He gets his food and that's the last he'll want to do with me for a few hours. After eating he gets very excited, runs around in circles. Yesterday he flew into the fridge. That calmed him down a bit!

I'll post some pics up later!

Oh, also! I don't know how normal this is, but he will never defecate in my hand. Never. However, yesterday he pooped on my girlfriend three times in a one hour period. I loved it! Any ideas why though? I seriously doubt it's to protect me!

 

[Zara]

He's too independant!

That´s good, a needy bird is a sad bird while you are away. So at least he´s able to entertain himself, you won´t need to worry over him

Oh, also! I don't know how normal this is, but he will never defecate in my hand. Never. However, yesterday he pooped on my girlfriend three times in a one hour period. I loved it! Any ideas why though? I seriously doubt it's to protect me!

My birds all poop on my boyfriend a lot (Minus my youngest, only because he´s terrified of him), and they don´t on me, as much anyway.
Usually you notice the wiggle and they push their butt over the edge to poop off the edge of you, the table or perch etc.
I don´t know why this is... maybe luck? or they don´t poop on their ¨mother¨ (the one who raised them).

 

[Marino]

A gif for you all!

 

[Ali]

Omg!!!! So beautiful! Well done!

 

[Zara]

 

[Marino]

Thanks guys. Every day I am blown away by him. It's like having a little dog with wings! 4 weeks ago I had no intention of ever getting a bird (in fact I would never have wanted one!) and chose to adopt him on a sort of whim. Of course I did bags of research before taking him home. But wow, it's great!