I find myself with a new bird

[suecc]

Hello all,
I popped in to my petshop today just to say Hi, just like I have done for the last 12 yrs.
But today something happened, somehow I have come home with a 7 week old cockatiel.
This liitle babe, I first thought was deformed, as it had really bad looking lumps around its beak. It turns out the the new weekend guy (who got the job on his alleged experience with birds) Said he could hand feed but cant & last but not least he let the handmix formula dry in clumps around this poor little face & down the breast.

So I have Booni, & need advice & info & what ever else I need to know about teils. (I did months of reading b4 I got Bella) so its a bit of a crash crse I'm after.
He(well I think its a he) has been down to 1 feed a day but he is a bit skinny for my liking (I dont like feeling breast bones sharp against the skin) so I'm thinking of putting him back on 2 feeds, He is cracking sunflower seed, but not sure about how much is being consumed.

He is asweet little guy, I guess its next stop confessional for me

[billspets]

hello suecc
if you feel he /she needs to be put on 2 feeds i would say from what you have said it wouldent hert on average the take around 15ml per feed
but i would be looking at trying him /her on greens(silverbeet ,celery) sprouts,apples ,peas and corn i would also offer budgie mix with some rice bubbles mixed in with it
if possable try to weigh him/her as this will give you some idea on if he / she / is putting on weight
hope this helps
regards
bill

[suecc]

Thanks Bill,
I have put some corn green beans & apple on the floor of the cage, Booni has investigated but so far hasnt gone any further.
I have a mash I give Bella with sweet potatoe & veges with SHHHHHHHH dont say a word pellets!!

I'll give Booni a taste tomorrow during the day to see how that goes

[billspets]

As long as Booni put weight on that is all that matters

regards
bill
i havent seen anything in the confessional yet ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[suecc]

lolol ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ummmmmmmmmm just on my way was going really really honestly just got lost..
could you show me the way Bill ?

[suecc]

just followed your foot steps Bill, you've left a wide track to follow ;D ;D

[pollyparrot]

hi sue to fatten a skinny bird i give them farex handrearing mix and some human baby chicken and vege food its does wonders for a skinny bird

[lovemytiels]

Hi Sue, another little mixture I use for older babies that I have rescued is a mixture of wet grainy bread, baby cereal, weet bix & some LSA & mix all together & basically feed the baby tiel from my hand. The mixture should be not too dry & not to wet but the baby usually gobbles it up & this will help fatten it up also. This also helps them to learn to eat by themself. Try to feed it as many feeds as you can to get it back to condition. Poor baby. but at least he will be in very good hands now. Cheers Anna

[parrotpotential]

Congratulations Sue!!! Tiels are soooo sweet.

I like to offer weaning tiels arrowroot biscuits, I just break them in half and peg to the side of the cage. Nice and easy to eat for babies and fills them up a bit quicker than seed. I find a really hungry baby won't have the energy or inclination to try and crack seed or enough of them. Millet sprays are also loved by cockatiels. Brown bread or cooked brown rice is also a favourite (try cooked brown rice with a cinnamon stick).

Lots of ideas on this forum!

Cheers

Kim

[suecc]

ahhh 1 thing I forgot to ask, Booni isnt too good in the flying dep.
He has been clipped, not a bad clip, (by that I mean I didnt really notice but at 7 weeks I wonder if it is too soon?
I have never had a clipped bird b4 so dont know what to expect.

[parrotpotential]

I always wait until my babies can fly, turn in mid air and land safely before clipping rather than an age as some are better flyers than others.

Personally I recommend wing clipping.

Cheers

Kim

[Bentayle]

Suecc, even if the wings have been clipped the Booni, will still eventually be able to fly. They still sit and exercise their wings while the feathers are clipped. When they grow back though he/she will have to learn the finer points of flying then. There will be no lasting damage by clipping the wings this early. But personally I like to let the babies work out how to control themselves in flight, then clip the wings if needed/wanted.

Kazz