New Bub

[Newbub]

Hi, I've finally achieved my dream and purchased my first ecelectus Bub, only thing I'm worried about is its only 4 weeks of age, so hand rearing, have survived the first night, so if there are any tips, I'd be grateful

[Wolf]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I do not mean this to be rude or to discourage you in any way, but this is not a good situation for your bird to be in, but I will save that for the end of my reply. Right now we need to ask some questions if we are going to give you the right information.

Instead of asking 30 individual questions I am going to try it this way. When you got your bird what did the breeder tell you about hand feeding your bird and about how to do it? Did he/she take the time to show you how to do it and perhaps help you to do it a time or two? Did the breeder show you how to make up the formula? Did they tell you at what temperature to feed it at and how thin or thick to make it? How are you feeding the bird the formula, by this I mean are you using a syringe and placing the formula in the bird beak, or are you using a tube to feed the bird or are you using a spoon to give the bird the formula?

These are about the least amount of questions that I think that I can ask for you to get the help that you need. Oh, I should also ask if the breeder gave you enough of the hand feeding formula to last until you can get some of your own and if so what is the formula that he/ she gave you?

I am very glad for you in that you have achieved one of your dreams, but like you I am also concerned. This is a delicate time for the bird and the breeder should know better than to let anyone have a bird that has not been fully weaned and eating adult foods. This is even worse to do to the bird and to you if you are not experienced in hand feeding as there are a lot of things that can go wrong starting with the preparation of the formula right down to if the hand feeding is done incorrectly. I am ashamed that this breeder was this callous ( in my opinion ) and put getting money before the well being of the bird. Depending on where you live there are laws forbidding this type of behavior on the part of the breeder due to the dangers posed to the bird.

Please forgive me if this has offended you in any way as that is not my intent. Please answer the questions that I have asked as well as you can as the more information that we have the better we can assist you with your bird.

[Pajarita]

Welcome to the forum! I am afraid that I have to agree with Wolf, my dear. That was not what I would call a conscientious or responsible breeder... birds should never be sold that young. Unfortunately, although here in the States (I have a feeling you are not in the States), there are laws as to how young you can sell a puppy or a kitten, there aren't any for birds so lots of people find themselves in the same situation you are (with a bird that is much too young). Breeders sell them unweaned because it's easier for them (handfeeding is A LOT of work and worry) but it's never really good for the bird. But we will try to help you as much as possible so, please, answer Wolf's questions and tells us a bit about the schedule you are planning on following (like how many feedings, how you are going to calculate the amount that needs to be fed, what kinds of records you are planning on keeping, where are keeping the baby, what temperature, etc.) and we will do our best for your bird and you.