Urgent Help Please

[aslam]

I went to a pet store and I saw one peach-faced lovebird in a small cage. I bought it since they were mistreating the birds there. I thought i can save it. I estimated its age by 1 or 2 weeks, but when i saw the video of the age progress, I believe my new chick is about 31 days old (1 month). This is its photo taken now.



I saw the store worker forcing it to handfeeding, pressing its beak to open then pushing some food in it. I felt it was wrong. Today morning, i was trying to feed it for the first time. it was running away (it can fly a little). I didn't force it to eat, but i'm afraid it would starve to death. It also hates to sit in the brooder. Should I force it to eat? and should I close the brooder when it's inside?

[tewkipig]

well this is probally better replyed by tamara or rodney but they havent replyed yet and you said urgent help so all do my best untill they get to it.

i don't hand feed birds but know how to ... so im not to to sure about this but i think that you just should offer to feed him often , when he gets hungry he'll eat. as far as the brooder i think you should close it at least when your not around watching him.

P.S. i know you probally meant well but no offense you probally shoudn't of bought the bird if you thought it was being mistreated and hand fed wrong because it might have some problems. and also because if the place is selling birds then it will keep mistreating more birds . best of luck

[suncoast]

What are you feeding your little one? Is it commercial handfeeding formula? Make sure that you don't aspirate the bird, this is when formula gets in the lungs. Most baby birds will beg for food. If he's not begging this could be a sign he's ill. Do you have access to an avian vet?

I would also start offering big bird food if you can. Millet, pellets and fresh fruits and veggies chopped fine. No junk seed.

Hopefully Rodney or Tamera will be along shortly.

Ginger

[tamara]

Don't force him, but offer him some big bird food for sure. I recommend Avi-Cakes. If he isn't begging he may be weaning fairly well. He also looks a bit plucked.

[tamara]

Do you have a playground he play on? Let him out for sure, but keep a close eye on him. Definitely take him to the vet if you can! And soon!

[Rodney]

I wonder what happened to Aslam?