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I to use Exsact handfeeding formula- best on market.

That's not bad, 1.2kg is just over 2 1/2 pounnds (2.6 to be exact) and growth from 900gms to this is something you should be proud of! Keep up the good work. Remember weigh ins are in the morning before you give her anything.

Typical for four month old GW's are a weight loss so don't be too down on the process. Your vet will guide you right in to the correct diet and weight for the age. It's terrific to see you sticking to her. My vet gives me a multiple bird discount but even at that it's still 40.00 a visit (for all the birds combined) and bringing them back several times a month (or in some cases a week) can sure ad up. Last years vet bills ran me over 10k.

Weight loss at four months is due to fledging and being way more active than those early months when it was sleep and eat all day long. The extra nuts (high in fat content) is important for GW's (as compared with little birds) and will be beneficial to your process.

I typically use Pretty Bird over here, especially the 22-10 formula when it comes to my Macaws. The higher protien and fat content is important for their development. Also when I used Exact (the company themself) they said to use BeneBac (a beneficial bacteria) in addition to their formula which I thought was not helpful. Instead I use the 22-10 from 2 weeks (when I pull) to 2 months, and then I start to use my own formula after that with the "Ultimate Supplement."

But this all moot now, your baby will be eating just fine in a matter of days we all here have confidence in you! Keep up the good work.

Dutch

Thanks so much purple heart!!She is gaining now--30 grams the last couple of days.Boy am I relieved! She is such a wonderful bird. She will cuddle in my lap for hours!!I am stuffing her with anything and everything healthy. She discovered honeydew melon today and I had to give her her own slice.Thanks so much to everyone.

I am worried again. She hasn't gained in the last couple of days despite me stuffing her with anything and everything.I will call my vet in the a.m. and maybe get some more advice.When they lose weight at 4 months,how much typically is it? She has gotten a lot more active the last couple of days so I am sure that has something to do with it. She is having a good time.I think she is getting tired of me sticking the syringe in her face all the time!!

greylover wrote:When they lose weight at 4 months,how much typically is it?

Looking over my data as much as 10%- 25% of their normal (mean average) weight but then when they start to feed on their own they gain that back and more. Are you still (solely) feeding by syringe? Or are you mixing in solids and fresh foods? Did you buy the "Ultimate"? Did you apply any supplements (Dr or another Rx) ?

One good thing I used was to have made up pasta in the fridge. I would steam it and make a sause by using the same formula the baby would get through the syring, but mix it up like a heavy cream and pour over the pasta. The added "Ultimate" made it a good delivery method and started the baby eating (weaning) on their own. And again I still did the flush with warm spring water (with the syringe) to aid in cleaning out the crop.

Are you still writing down the weights every day? What are your mean weights and why do you think it is dropping? Is it a stead weight loss? Or is it up and down?

Thank-you for responding purleheart! I have been feeding her a bean/brown rice mixture that I cook and then freeze. They get fresh fruits and veggies every day along with nutiberries,spray millet some seed,and the greenwing is eating carnival macaw mix with nuts(she figured out how to open an almond today)and I have Roudybush pellets available at all times.
She is not losing weight but has weighed 930 grams yesterday and today.
Where do I buy Ultimate?I have never heard of it but I have never before been in the macaw world either.She is unafraid of trying new things which is great. I made a minestrone salad for my family last night which was comprised of fresh cooked veggies and pasta and she loved it. So it's not that she is not eating--her crop just never looks full unless she gets her syringe of food.Thanks again for your valuable input!

[quote="greylover"]So it's not that she is not eating--her crop just never looks full unless she gets her syringe of food. [quote]

Her crop should not look full as she will not use it currently. She will eat and directly swallow all her intake. Sounds like you have your diet pretty much squared away so I wouldn't want to suggest any changes. All I would do differently is continue to use the syringe but only to rinse it out with warm spring water maybe once a day or every other day till she completely refuses it all together. Also no matter where she is during the day (on day perch, top of cage, etc..) to have your diet choices always available. She will pick all day long so have it available.

But all in all everything sounds good to me, keep up the good work and don't doubt your choices unless there is a dramatic drop in weight (30% +)

Thank-you again purpleheart. She actually put on 20 grams yesterday. Thank-you for the info on the crop. I kept expecting it to be as full as with the syringe feeding. I will start the warm spring water wash today!

Well, just an update. Bella has put on 140 gms. since I got her so is doing great--other then the fact that the vet. cut her wings too short and she fell from the stand and possibly broke her foot. She is on anti-inflammatories
and I can't put her on the stand until she molts--that is about a year?She is already weight-bearing and this happened 4 days ago so the vet thinks it is just sprained. Someone told me that I should not have her wings trimmed by a vet but at a bird store. Has anyone heard anything about this?I am just sick she got hurt. It does give me more of an excuse to carry her around.Thanks for any input.I could trim her wings myself but I don't want to be responsible for trimming them too short. This way I can blame someone!!!

I'm sorry that the baby's hurt Never would I take her to a bird shop for any reason. TOO much chance of disease from the commingling of birds from multiple sources and too much chance of a stress crisis that only a vet can save her from. Two stories behind that comment, but just trust me and don't take her into a bird shop.

My birds are flighted now, but in years past, I trimmed them myself. It's so easy to take just a little, see how much altitude they get, and trim more if needed. PM me if you'd like more information re my technique.

I surely hope her foot is just sprained and she heals very fast.

Paca

we dont clip wings, like them natural, to many things go wrong.

Glad to hear Bella is doing better weight wise. How is she catching on to fresh food? Even though she refuses some of the food you should always offer it to her as the taste buds are developing and she should be offered a large variety.

Wing trimming is very had to gage correctly. It is always wise to know (according to size and weight) exactly what amount to trim off in order to provide her enough lift to gently glide down and not drop like a lead balloon. Your advice was sort of correct by taking her to someone who is totally familiar with that breed will they know this. Our esteemed Doctors may not have seen a Greenwing enough to measure the amount perfectly. hence the suggestion to take her to someone else. I usually provide the first few wing clips to all my "babies" with the new companion present so they can see for themselves how much to remove. Also of concern in the nails and beak maintenance.

I agree with Paca (on most cases) and do not want Bella exposed to other birds. Try to find a breeder located in your area who can be a mentor to you. This will provide an invaluable service not only for this but any problems in the future. Make sure this breeder has a isolation area where you can bring Bella in for this. A rule of thumb here is to treat any bird and any situation like the others have a disease (even if they don't) and always provide a healthy environment for her.

Again don't be too hard on the Vet. You will need him/her in the future and together is always a good approach to any health problems. We all make mistakes and if Bella is treated the way I think she is, she will pull through this just fine. Remember this is a minor injury, and I know how you feel right now. Just think of it as your new baby going off to kindergarten and they come home with a cold. It is natural and expected that we will pass through things like this.

Dutch

Thanks again for the advice. Paca, I like your idea of taking a bit off and see how she does. Right now she falls like a rock. Feather, the second day I had her, she flew off the stand and into a pan of boiling water. I had no idea she could fly so far as most of her wings were clipped. It was truly a miracle that she wasn't hurt. I am a gourmet cook and so am constantly in the kithchen with something brewing. For the safety of my birds in my house, I feel it is better to clip and completely respect people who feel as you do.If I didn't have kids running in and out and animals being let in and out,I would love to have my birds be flighted--but my eclectus would always be in my plate lol.
Thank you again for your kind and encouraging words Purple. She is getting a huge variety of food and as i said, is unafraid to try anything so in that respect,she is doing great.I know of two breeders on our vicinity and will have to call to see what knowledge they have of greenwings but that is another great idea. I love my vet. She is the reason I have Bella.I think she is excellent and of course she didn't do this on purpous. I think doing some research is in order before she is trimmed again and maybe, as paca mentioned, i can experiment a little myself.Unlike my other birds, she is easily handled(she is in my lap on her back right now sucking on my fingers).Thank-you to all again! Gigi