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?
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?