|
|
Re: A little help please....
Posted by Mrs. Bird on 1/10/08
On 1/10/08, Darcie wrote:
> I have had fed Macaws and Too's, but I've never actually
> raised them and watched them go through the process. It's
> difficult and time consuming, but also kind of enjoyable.
>
> Brooders...I don't have, do you have a website of a good one?
> Or a recommendation of a good one?
>
>
> On 1/10/08, Mrs. Bird wrote:
>> On 1/10/08, Darcie wrote:
>>> I recently acquired a pair of Greenwing Macaws. They are
>>> breeder birds, and not at all used to humans holding them.
>>> Though the female has calmed down to not lunge at me
>>> evertime I come near the cage and she is actually letting
>>> me scratch her head when I put her plate of "freshies" as
>>> she calls them in her and her mate's cage.
>>>
>>> Apparently though...I didn't take off their nest box quick
>>> enough and now I have a clutch of 2 eggs. The lady I got
>>> them from came over to take a look at them and she brought
>>> a machine that detects heartbeats within the egg? I
>>> thought it was weird, but she told me that they are
>>> fertile.
>>>
>>> I'm not one to kill something, Even if it is an unborn
>>> little birdie. My hen is still sitting on them and acting
>>> very proud of herself, and her mate is bringing her the
>>> freshies straight to her door.
>>>
>>> Though...I've been told she will feed them, but I'm not
>>> interested in having any more macaws. I have briefly
>>> handfed before and I know about burning their crop, or
>>> infections, but..when should I take the babies from their
>>> mother? And where do I get the bands to put on their legs
>>> to prove they were hatched here in the US?
>>>
>>> If there is a breeder out there that could give me a
>>> little help on getting started I would really appreciate
>>> it. I'm not looking to do this again and their nest box is
>>> coming off after these hatch...but....what exactly do I
>>> need to make sure I help to raise some healthy chicks??
>>
>> I'm not sure what you mean by "briefly handfed before," but
>> you either are familiar or you're not. Not to sound harsh,
>> but hand feeding is for the experienced.
>>
>> At this point you should be giving the pair lots of fresh
>> foods which would consist of fresh vegetables, cooked bean
>> mix, hard-cooked eggs (shell and all), etc. You want them
> to
>> have all the necessary foods for themselves as well as be
>> accustomed to these foods to feed their chicks. You would
>> want to include higher calcium foods such as broccoli, kale,
>> mustards, etc.
>>
>> Disturb them as little as possible so as to not make them
>> nervous.
>>
>> You can order bands for your chicks from L&M leg bands.
>> There are other companies out there, but this is who I use.
>>
>> You can pull the babies for hand feeding at about 3 weeks of
>> age or a wee bit sooner if you like.
>>
>> You'll need a brooder to keep them warm, and of course, a
>> good hand feeding mix. I use Kaytee Exxact.
>>
>> Temperature of the hand feeding formula is probably one of
>> the biggest issues you'll face. I like around 108 degrees.
>> Too cool and you invite crop stasis and infection. Too hot
>> and you'll be off to the vet with burned crop. Use a
>> thermometer.
>>
>> If this seems more than you are willing to take on you might
>> consider selling the chicks out of the nest to an
> experienced
>> hand feeder. Just a suggestion.
>>
>> Good luck,
>> Mrs. Bird
>>
>>
>>
>>
If you don't intend to continue breeding, buying a good brooder
would not be worth your money. They are expensive. I would hesitate to use a heating pad under an aquarium, which so
many do, but really don't have another suggestion. Maybe someone will come along. If you do decide you want to purchase a brooder, use your search
engine and type in bird or parrot brooder and you will get many
choices.
|
1996 - 2009. All Rights Reserved. Please review our Terms of Use, Mission Statement, and Privacy Policy.