New here, meet puffy!

[puffy.love]

I really hope this is the right place to post about my new birb and me. let me introduce myself.

my name is Nimal. I've never had a bird before and believed a lot of myths about owning one. but my friend got one and all of those misconceptions just shattered and I just wanted one. but I wanted to be a good birb dad so I had to think a lot about getting one. initially I chose to get a cocketiel but I was never able to find a young one. me and my dad went to a pet store and found this blue love bird chick and immediately just wanted to get them. so, say hi to puffy!

the store guy told they are about a month old. they are THE CUTEST. they started hopping on my hand on the second day and has started sleeping on it too. I cover them with my hand so they get warm and they never struggle unless its uncomfortable. but yea, they poop A LOT MY GOD. but it's okay cuz they are my lil baby. I feed them this human baby feed called cerelac with some vitamin drops called zingovit, like the store guy told. I know they should be fed with a baby bird food mix but due to covid, my family and I have come to a small hometown to be safe so we don't get that food here. but they so active and playful and I don't think the food is causing any issues. i feed them three times a day and make sure the crop is empty before I do so and stop feeding when they prompt me to. I've kept them in a small cage for now. my mom and I are planning to make a DIY cage cuz large ones here are super costly here.

about myself (don't know whether yall are interested), I am from India. my interests include politics, psychology, physics and poetry. and also, I am gay lol. I am a hugggeee Taylor swift fan. so yep. puffy and I say hello to y'all!

can yall say how will they look like when they grow? I am confused about the exact breed.
thank you!

 

[tka]

Hello and welcome!

Puffy is very cute If you can find proper bird handfeeding formula, that would be great. Is there any way you can order some online? Popular brands include Kaytee Exact, Hari Tropican and Nutribird. The reason I say this is because Cerelac contains milk which birds can't digest. It can cause a upset stomach.

I'll tag @Zara - she has lovebirds and will be able to tell you what Puffy will look like when they're grown up.

 

[Zara]

Hello Nimal! Welcome to the Avenue!

Oh my gosh! Puffy is just the cutest!!!!!

they poop A LOT

Yes lots! At least for now they will do the butt wiggle so you know it is coming and can quickly put tissue under or hold him over something to avoid being pooped on

The food is a little concerning. I don´t know about (human) baby food but at this stage it´s important a baby parrot gets what a baby parrot needs and not what a human baby needs. I know other AA members from India have bought Nutribird (which is the brnad I have used time and time again) so hopefully there is a way you can purchase some.

I am confused about the exact breed.

Your birds species is Roseicollis aka Peach faced lovebird - my fave

It is hard to see the mutation well in this photo. Feel free to post more pictures

 

[puffy.love]

Hello and welcome!

Puffy is very cute If you can find proper bird handfeeding formula, that would be great. Is there any way you can order some online? Popular brands include Kaytee Exact, Hari Tropican and Nutribird. The reason I say this is because Cerelac contains milk which birds can't digest. It can cause a upset stomach.

I'll tag @Zara - she has lovebirds and will be able to tell you what Puffy will look like when they're grown up.

oh okay. I will try my best to get it. thanks for letting me know! also, there is this health mix powder here which is actually for humans but these are its contents:
earl millet, Finger millet, Sorghum, Parboiled rice, Maize, Wheat, Whole green gram, Soyabean, Groundnut, Cashewnut, Almond, Sago and Cardamom.

will this be fine instead of cerelac? should I discontinue cerelac immediately?

 

[puffy.love]

Hello Nimal! Welcome to the Avenue!

Oh my gosh! Puffy is just the cutest!!!!!


Yes lots! At least for now they will do the butt wiggle so you know it is coming and can quickly put tissue under or hold him over something to avoid being pooped on

The food is a little concerning. I don´t know about (human) baby food but at this stage it´s important a baby parrot gets what a baby parrot needs and not what a human baby needs. I know other AA members from India have bought Nutribird (which is the brnad I have used time and time again) so hopefully there is a way you can purchase some.


Your birds species is Roseicollis aka Peach faced lovebird - my fave

It is hard to see the mutation well in this photo. Feel free to post more pictures

thank you for letting me know the species! I will post some more pictures in the future because I am just getting a hang on how to use a forum. I will try my best to get a bird formula. I've posted a reply above, can you check it out?

 

[Zara]

there is this health mix powder here which is actually for humans but these are its contents:
earl millet, Finger millet, Sorghum, Parboiled rice, Maize, Wheat, Whole green gram, Soyabean, Groundnut, Cashewnut, Almond, Sago and Cardamom.

will this be fine instead of cerelac?

I have no idea but I will tag some members to take a look when they are online next
@Mizzely @melissasparrots @Monica ?

 

[Mizzely]

I wouldn't feed that in place of baby bird food... you'd be missing vital nutrients.

 

[puffy.love]

I wouldn't feed that in place of baby bird food... you'd be missing vital nutrients.

oh okay. I am learning a lot. I will try my best to get the bird formula. thank you!

 

[puffy.love]

also I have another question. can I know if my bird has any issues by seeing it's poop? like by the colour or texture?

and what is the ideal amount of attention I should provide to a lovie?

 

[tka]

I've found some Nutribird A19 on amazon.in - can you order from there?

It's more expensive than other brands, but it's a more trustworthy product. I'm not familiar with the cheaper brands and don't know if they contain the right nutrients.

Buy Nutribird Panoramic Enterprises A19 Baby Bird Food Hand Feeding Formulas with 5 ml Syringe (800 gm) Online at Low Prices in India - Amazon.in

Amazon.in: Buy Nutribird Panoramic Enterprises A19 Baby Bird Food Hand Feeding Formulas with 5 ml Syringe (800 gm) online at low price in India on Amazon.in. Check out Nutribird Panoramic Enterprises A19 Baby Bird Food Hand Feeding Formulas with 5 ml Syringe (800 gm) reviews, ratings...

www.amazon.in

 

[puffy.love]

i

I've found some Nutribird A19 on amazon.in - can you order from there?

It's more expensive than other brands, but it's a more trustworthy product. I'm not familiar with the cheaper brands and don't know if they contain the right nutrients.

Buy Nutribird Panoramic Enterprises A19 Baby Bird Food Hand Feeding Formulas with 5 ml Syringe (800 gm) Online at Low Prices in India - Amazon.in

Amazon.in: Buy Nutribird Panoramic Enterprises A19 Baby Bird Food Hand Feeding Formulas with 5 ml Syringe (800 gm) online at low price in India on Amazon.in. Check out Nutribird Panoramic Enterprises A19 Baby Bird Food Hand Feeding Formulas with 5 ml Syringe (800 gm) reviews, ratings...

www.amazon.in

it's expensive and my parents won't be okay with getting it . I've found another affordable formula which is affordable and has good reviews. I will try to get it

 

[tka]

Can you post the ingredients and nutritional information here? It would be a good idea for someone more experienced with feeding baby bird to check whether it's suitable.

 

[puffy.love]

Can you post the ingredients and nutritional information here? It would be a good idea for someone more experienced with feeding baby bird to check whether it's suitable.

i will post after I decide on what exactly brand I am gonna get?
because idk whether it will be delivered here. and in a week I most probably will be going to my city and I am sure I will get the formula there.
this is the I found on Amazon:

Buy Petslife Hand Feeding Formula Baby Bird Food, 500 g Online at Low Prices in India - Amazon.in

Amazon.in: Buy Petslife Hand Feeding Formula Baby Bird Food, 500 g online at low price in India on Amazon.in. Check out Petslife Hand Feeding Formula Baby Bird Food, 500 g reviews, ratings, specifications and more at Amazon.in. Free Shipping, Cash on Delivery Available.

www.amazon.in

 

[Lady Jane]

Welcome to AA Nimal . We have several members who will be a good resourse for you and your new bird, especially @Zara. As you have learned what you feed your baby is very important. It stay that way when they are an adult. Ask us any question about caring for your Puffy.

Its not too soon to think about making your home safe for a flying bird. Any reflective surface such as windows, mirrors and even fish tanks need to be covered. Ceiling fans need to be off when Puffy is flying about. Look into finding a bird doctor because taking a bird in for medical check ups is also important and you just never know when an accident can happen. If you have other pets in you home please do not let your bird fly about when they are in the same room. Using cooking pans that are safe is also important. When you get toys for Puffy please check them for safety. We have vendors here that sell safe toys in you are interested. @Mizzely specializes in making toys for small birds. Please take some time out to read this entire thread so you will be familiar with the toys NOT to get. !! Dangerous toys list !!

 

[Ripshod]

Petslife Hand Feeding Formula ingredients:

Image courtesy of Amazon

 

[puffy.love]

Welcome to AA Nimal . We have several members who will be a good resourse for you and your new bird, especially @Zara. As you have learned what you feed your baby is very important. It stay that way when they are an adult. Ask us any question about caring for your Puffy.

Its not too soon to think about making your home safe for a flying bird. Any reflective surface such as windows, mirrors and even fish tanks need to be covered. Ceiling fans need to be off when Puffy is flying about. Look into finding a bird doctor because taking a bird in for medical check ups is also important and you just never know when an accident can happen. If you have other pets in you home please do not let your bird fly about when they are in the same room. Using cooking pans that are safe is also important. When you get toys for Puffy please check them for safety. We have vendors here that sell safe toys in you are interested. @Mizzely specializes in making toys for small birds. Please take some time out to read this entire thread so you will be familiar with the toys NOT to get. !! Dangerous toys list !!

thanks a lot for these tips!! I will try my best to be the best bird parent. there aren't any other pets so it's that's not an issue. I will do check the links out! thank you once again

 

[Zara]

I've found some Nutribird A19 on amazon.in - can you order from there?

A21 is what a lovebird needs. It has a green lid.
Here is a link, this one is a little less and free delivery;

Buy Versele Laga A21 Nutri Bird Food (800 G, Multicolor) Online at Low Prices in India - Amazon.in

Amazon.in: Buy Versele Laga A21 Nutri Bird Food (800 G, Multicolor) online at low price in India on Amazon.in. Check out Versele Laga A21 Nutri Bird Food (800 G, Multicolor) reviews, ratings, specifications and more at Amazon.in. Free Shipping, Cash on Delivery Available.

www.amazon.in

You may find it cheaper on an Indian website that is not Amazon, maybe some sort of pet supply website. Have a look around, it will be easier for you to search because of the language barrier.
If you can get the A21 but not A19, it is not the worst, but A21 (green top) is better. I did feed the A21 to one of my little ones when I couldn´t get the right one, the composition is different, not by too much but it has to be better than human baby food.

what is the ideal amount of attention I should provide to a lovie?

Give him the attention now that he will have for the rest of his life. Don´t interact with him 12 hours a day now, then in the future you only spend 3. Try and keep it somewhat samey.

I will post this link as I think it will be helpful for you;

Some helpful links about hand feeding :)

With these Links-I hope to bring You as Much information as I can to help anyone that finds them selves having to Hand feed A chick Lots of tips for Breeders-with links for Hand feeding etc http://www.parrotscanada.com/breeder...rbreeders.html A new way to Hand feed-With a Cup...

forums.avianavenue.com

my parents won't be okay with getting it .

Maybe you could offer to help with some chores for pocket money, or wash neighbours cars or something?
Maybe resell some old clothes you don´t use and pay for the formula yourself?
Maybe borrow money from someone?
Just some ideas.

 

[Ira]

Are you hand feeding with a syringe?

 

[tka]

Something I would advise doing now is finding an avian vet (a vet who treats birds) and start saving money for a vet fund. In an emergency, you do not want to be frantically calling around vets trying to find someone who has experience with birds.

 

[Monica]

You've received some great advice already!


It would also be a great idea to look into weaning onto a proper, varied diet now so you'll know what you ought to start providing your baby now to start exploring new foods. Also look into safe perches and toys!