EmbraceTheFall
Checking out the neighborhood
- Joined
- 5/19/15
- Messages
- 4
- Real Name
- Brian
Ok, so I recently decided to purchase a baby Quaker; my second one. We lost our first years ago to an unfortunate accident involving an escape from his cage. I hand fed him from about 9 weeks to weaning, so I'm familiar with the whole hand feeding process. There are not many bird breeders around here, so when I finally found one, I was ecstatic. He told me he had just one baby left, that still required some hand feeding, so I thought, "ok, no big deal" and scheduled a meeting.
I showed up at his house and immediately noticed how messy it was. Not a great sign. He brought the baby out and placed him on the table, and I was shocked to realize that this guy was trying to sell me, someone he didn't know or trust, a baby only about 4-5 weeks old! He then proceeded to tell me to feed it "two or three times a day, whenever", and "never more than 9cc". I didn't need to hear any more. I couldn't leave him with this man. Now before anyone goes off on the crusade of "never buy an unweaned baby" I'd like to say that I'm well aware of the taboo, and am more than capable of safely hand feeding, and weaning a baby parrot. I have experience with multiple birds, and am disabled, with a lot of free time to see to his needs.
Now here is where I require some advice. I have handfed several birds, but never from this young, all my previous birds were unweaned, but already comfortable in regular cages. I know that at this early stage they need to learn to perch, fly, play, and that many other crucial developmental facets are involved. What I'd like to hear from any experienced person is how to best meet those needs. I have read everything I can get my hands on, but it never hurts to hear it again, and any information is much appreciated. I took this baby from the "breeder" because I knew I could make his life better, and I refuse to fail at that. Thank you in advance for any advice.
I showed up at his house and immediately noticed how messy it was. Not a great sign. He brought the baby out and placed him on the table, and I was shocked to realize that this guy was trying to sell me, someone he didn't know or trust, a baby only about 4-5 weeks old! He then proceeded to tell me to feed it "two or three times a day, whenever", and "never more than 9cc". I didn't need to hear any more. I couldn't leave him with this man. Now before anyone goes off on the crusade of "never buy an unweaned baby" I'd like to say that I'm well aware of the taboo, and am more than capable of safely hand feeding, and weaning a baby parrot. I have experience with multiple birds, and am disabled, with a lot of free time to see to his needs.
Now here is where I require some advice. I have handfed several birds, but never from this young, all my previous birds were unweaned, but already comfortable in regular cages. I know that at this early stage they need to learn to perch, fly, play, and that many other crucial developmental facets are involved. What I'd like to hear from any experienced person is how to best meet those needs. I have read everything I can get my hands on, but it never hurts to hear it again, and any information is much appreciated. I took this baby from the "breeder" because I knew I could make his life better, and I refuse to fail at that. Thank you in advance for any advice.