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I decided id name the lil guy lucky. I kept him with another lutino i named her lucy whos already weaned(Thats how i got him.already weaned) about 6 months old. initally lucy was lil freaked out but then she came close and started preening her. then she was trying to bite luckys leg i think....and he was quite irrated with that. he started cornering up on the perch. so i took him out. i am feeding him but the guy looks a lil weak. i think i will take him back to the breeder for couple a weeks.

im afraid he might be losing his weight.

Regards
Melson

Babies drop weight as they prepare to fledge.

Babies drop weight AS they fledge, not before!

In fact some Macaws keep gaining long into their years. But since this is the Love Bird forum, it is through the process of fledging (activity) that causes the weight loss. Once your baby is fledged and eating on its own, the daily weight is of little concern, I weigh them every week and just to make sure weight doesn't drop off the chart so to speak (any loss of more than 5% is reason for concern) Remember to include fresh fruits and veg's in your weaned love bird diet, they really need this and less seed the better.

Dutch

Most of my experience is with 'tiels, who do lose before actually fledging. As soon as they begin serious flapping, while still hanging onto something, they get less interested in food, almost UNinterested. All they want to do is FLAP between naps! My few pionus parrot chicks did the same thing, so I thought it must be how all birds approach fledging. Thanks for the clarification.

The formula is too cold. Momma lovebird feeds at 106F, her body temperature, so what you are feeding needs to be warmer, between 106F - 108F. Baby Fischer's lovebirds won't eat formula that's less than 108F. Even 110F is not hot enough to burn the crop. If this baby is flying, he's at least 5 weeks old so 3-4 feedings/day should be fine.

Too hot!

At that temperature you kill all the nutrients in the formula, risk burning the crop and just way too easy for something to go wrong.

Your baby will eat at 102 temp.

Besides after fledging, there is no need for formula!

I respectfully disagree with the lower temperatures. Momma lovebird's body temperature is 106F so the formula has to be at least that. If mom feeds at that temp, does that mean all the goodies that are in what she feeds were destroyed by the higher temps? Nope. Many breeders feed babies routinely at 110F without burning the crop. Baby Fischer's won't eat formula well if it's not at least 108F. I use a thermometer to check the temperature of my formula and I have yet to burn a crop at 108F.

My suggestion to the O.P. and to others is that when in doubt, when different people are advising you with conflicting/different advice, go by what the people with the most experience say and for me that is the authors of a book that all hand-feeders should have in their possession: "Hand-feeding & Nursery Management". I suggest that if anyone doesn't have that book, you should get it asap.

First of all this man is in Kuwait, has never hand feed a bird in his life and was dumped on with a baby just out of the nest.

Before you all get to hen clucking read the postings.

To suggest an inexperienced hand feeder to feed at that temp is out and out crazy talk!

The link I put up for him to obtain formula over the net, yes they send to Kuwait! Is Prettybird and you do not follow a book to learn how to hand feed. More crazy talk! YOU FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS BY THE MANUFACTURES THAT PRODUCE THE FORMULA YOU ARE FEEDING.

I have been raising love birds for 50 years! My hand feeding formula (back then) was Monkey chow (among other things) that my grandfather taught me to make. Yes we have come a long way since then.

Next, the ingredients in Prettybird is COMPLETE (with all the essential bacteria for a healthy baby diet), no other additives are necessary! That's why you do not feed above their suggested temp.

At their prescribed temp the bird WILL EAT! Advanced bird breeders and Aviculturists may play closer to the limit but NOT THIS PERSON!

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/servl ... crop+burns

You lower the chance of any problems because the active ingredients are not killed off by the higher temp, is less chance to burn the baby, and easier for a first time formula feeder.

Edited to show citation from The Merick Vet Manual.

No "crazy talk" came from me at all, keep your rude comments to yourself. All I was basically saying was, when in doubt (I was referring to formula temps.) to listen to very experienced people when there is conflicting information being given to you. Yes, the manufacturers of the formula should have the correct temps. printed on the bag of formula, whether or not they themselves personally have ever hand-fed, I do not know. I do know the authors of the book I mentioned have yrs. and yrs. of experience hand-feeding themselves. The book also has tons of other valuable info. in it for any hand-feeder.

No "crazy talk" came from me at all, keep your rude comments to yourself.

I agree with this statement. We may not agree on everything, but we do have the right to have different opinions. We have said nothing disrespectful to you, PH, and we expect the same courtesy from you. Anything less, and your comments will be edited and/or deleted as unacceptable.

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