upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

And now we a beautiful star - Stella (star in Italian)




We couldn't take it any more when my sweet Luna died on Saturday night, hubby told me to get another on Sunday.

At first I felt funny getting another bird right after Luna died. But then I thought about it and changed the way I looked at it. What better way to show our love and what she meant to us then to get another right away. Luna touched our lives and filled our home with so much love and companionship we couldn't go another day without. So I set out on Sunday and went to what I thought was the same sponsored bird fair I went to last year which was wonderful - this one was not. Son onto a store a few miles a way a co-worker told me about - major yuk!! The room and cages were filthy! Then on to my favorite bird store - I called and let her know the story about Luna, They had some very nice tiels but none jumped at me and she felt they were all boys. So onto my next favorite store (especially to cuddle up with the babies) - Petland - that's where I found her!! Yes I know all the problems with pet stores like this, but I've been visiting this store for 3 years on a regular basis and they keep it very clean. I have had issues with some of the staff over the years but that's neither here nor there. I think she is a lot younger then they say (what a surprise), the records I saw of each bird aren't very detailed.

She is a white face gray, and has speckles of white on the top of her head and chest. It's funny because hubby picked out the name on Sat. night and here she (hopefully) has "stars" on the top of her head. The store says she's 12 -14 weeks, I don't think so - she weighs only 77gm - and you can feel her keel bone (took her to the vet today). He thinks more like 8-10 weeks!!! Yikes! hand feeding is not what I was looking to do!!! Pet store says one a day if she wants it - 15cc, doc says 2 a day 10-12 cc each time!! And she (again hoping) sleeps A LOT!!!!! If we didn't have a name I would call her cricket because that's what she sounds like. I heard may 2-3 small regular chirps so far She has not done the loud FEED ME NOW crying I've heard from the birds in the store in the past and even Luna did it when I got her.

I am having Luna cremated privately and returned to us. We don't own property so burial is not an option. As I was going through the pictures of her this message, I started crying all over, every time I talk to someone about her I start crying. I know Stella won't replace Luna and I know she is her own bird and we'll have to discover what she likes and doesn't like, it may be the same it may be different, there may be overlapping of each. But we will love her and care for her the best way we know how.

Again, thanks to all who posted in my time of need - Christie, BB Exotics, Jenny, Monica, Lisa, Kim, Sam, Claudia, Sadielynn, Bubblelady, nascargirl and patti in oz

Jo

Happy Holidays to all

Even if she shouldn't need the feedings any more, handfed tiels are notorious for regressing, and if she hasn't been fed properly (because of the ignorance of the store) she will need to catch up, and quite a bit too. At even 8 weeks she should have been full sized and in the 90's for weight.

Remember, many hand fed tiels don't wean until 10-12 weeks.

Feed this bird whenever she is hungry. Leave millet spray in the cage where it is easy for her to get to and make sure her food and water dish are easy to access. She will have to re-wean all over again. Remember, abundance is the key to a healthy bird. If she is acting off, take her back to the vet.

ETA:
Here is a link to a weight gain chart and reccomended feeding ammounts.
http://www.cockatielcottage.net/weightgain.html

According to this chart, your bird has dropped to the 6-7 week weight category. I sincerly hope that she is older and has just regressed due to being forced to wean early.

She is GEORGOUS !! and will be loved unconditionally I am sure ...
Just remember (its hard I find myself doing it on occasion ) to try not to compair them
When I got noodle he reverted and it took about a month or 2 to reween him he weighed lower than what he should have and we abundence feed him ... To get him to eat and drink I spred his food all over the floor of his room covered in paper towels , we went through a ton of food since I would change it out atleast 4 times a day .. but in the end it was worth it
When we got noodle he was said to be 10 weeks old there was no way the vet concured on this and we figure he was only 3-4 weeks old ... From my understanding that is illigeal to sell them that young ? Either way he is a whopping 105 grams up from I think was 68 grams ... He weened at 133 or so and fledge to 103- 109 sometimes 112 but normally sits at 103
Again congrats on the new bappy she is beautiful !

Stella is lovely, Jo. I'm glad you have her home already. Weaning time and weights vary widely, so don't be worried needlessly. As long as you're being so observant and have your avian vet at hand, Stella should thrive. We used to send our babies home -- abundance weaned -- at 8 weeks mostly. We kept in CLOSE contact with new parronts and not once did we ever need to take a baby back for more feeding, though we were always willing and offering with every baby. Most of our breeding tiels were larger than the average, but some were not and they were quite healthy at their smaller size. Many still are though they're older now and haven't been breeding in a long time.

I hope your baby helps your hearts heal.

Congratulations on your new baby! I am definately a member of the "healing through feather therapy" school. I agree. There is no question about trying to "replace" a cherished member of the family. But it is , IMHO, much easier to grieve while snuggling with a bundle of warm feathers! When it looked like my beloved lovie had maybe only days to live (8 months ago), I started looking for where I could get another birdie, ASAP, when necessary. Well, Buddy is still with me but in the process I fell in love with a baby green cheeked conure (4 months ago). So now I have TWO warm bundles of feathers. And I wouldn't have it any other way! Enjoy your new baby. And I'm SURE Luna approves

I like Healing through Feather Therapy!

I've been looking at pictures of Luna trying not to get choked up - I succeed about 25% of the time Anybody who knows me knows about Luna - even the guys in the deli dept at the supermarket!! I'd show her picture to anyone with eyes.

Stella is adorable - she has the cutest little chirp - like a cricket in the distance. I've posted more details on the cockatiel board -

Jo