My Dusky... could something be wrong?

[chickadee]

My bird is a lot more vocal today... but since this is my first conure not to mention this is only my third day with him, I am worried that something is wrong. I don't know if this is normal behavior or if he is complaining. He is flapping on wing more than the other so I am wondering if he hurt it in his cage.

 

[suncoast]

Is he perching, preening, pooing, eating and drinking okay?

Ginger

 

[chickadee]

Yes all else seems well. But even while we hold him, cuddle him and pet him he squawks.

 

[suncoast]

Is he a baby?

Ginger

 

[chickadee]

Yes... hatched late February... just picked him up Thursday night.

 

[suncoast]

Okay he needs to have some hand feeding. Do you have any formula? If you don't have any formula do you have cream of wheat or oatmeal?

Ginger

 

[suncoast]

Do you have any soy milk?

Ginger

 

[chickadee]

I have cream of wheat and I have vanilla soy. Should I buy regular?

 

[suncoast]

You should order some handfeeding formula. Is the breeder close to you? Can you go pick some up? You also might need a syringe to feed with. Don't let the breeder BS you. S/he should be able to give you a baggie full of hand feeding formula and syringe.

In the mean time, mix your cream of wheat into a consistancy where it pours off the spoon. No sugar. If your close to a store I would go get some Light Soy Milk to mix it with. I don't think I would use the vanilla soy. You can offer it to him on a spoon. Make sure that it's warm, not hot. If you have a thermometer, it should read about 105 degrees.

Ginger

 

[chickadee]

Actually I have some Kaytee Exact Hand Feeding Formula but its from like two years ago. Doesn't show an expiration date... should I use that or the cream of wheat?

 

[chickadee]

Gosh Ginger... thank you so much! I feel better now!

 

[suncoast]

Has the formula been in the freezer or somewhere to keep it fresh? Can you smell it to see if it smells funky?

Ginger

 

[chickadee]

Smells like I remember it to smell... not in the freezer but a cool dark cabinet.

 

[suncoast]

Gosh I don't know how long you can keep it. But if it's bug free and smells okay I would mix some up and give it a try. Just BE CAREFULL not to aspirate him. He will probably do the head bob thing so don't let that scare you. Do you have a syringe or are you going to try a spoon?

Ginger

 

[chickadee]

I think I'll just play it safe and go with the cream of wheat... gotta go get the milk.

Thank you SOoooooooooo much!

 

[suncoast]

Your welcome. I hope this solves the problem.

Ginger

 

[Jorg S.]

Great advice Ginger!
You can also add some sweet potato baby food in with the cream of wheat.
I do that with my older babies and their formula that are starting to wean.

 

[avianantics]

If you have a PetSmart or Petco near you, both carry, at minimum, the small cans of hand feeding formula.

Alternately you can soak pellets in hot water until soggy and soft, the pour into a blender and puree to the same consistency Suncoast mentioned.

Even better, IMO is to order a bag of Scenic hand weaning pellets, (of course this won't help you the next few days), to have on hand. I sent all my babies home with HW pellets and showed their new owners how to feed them. Instructions are on the bag.

Sounds like he just needs a comfort feeding, or two.

 

[suncoast]

How is he today?

Ginger

 

[chickadee]

He is doing well today. He didn't eat as much as I thought he would yesterday, but he ate and he played with his two little playmates - the tiels.

Thanks again Ginger for your help and thanks to Jorg and Shelly!!