--------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 225 PARROTS Ref: D45L3473 Date: 04/04/96 From: KATHY JOHNSON Time: 10:03am \/To: DAWN FREY (Read 3 times) Subj: handfeeding DF> This is off the subject of carrying cases, Just so you know, you may change any subject line at any time if it no longer applies to whatever you're now talking about! PLEASE feel free to do so (this goes for anybody who's reading this, too!). DF>doing. I have Love birds that recently hatched babies... These are my DF>first babies and I'm alot nervous. A friend of ours showed me how to DF>feed them when i pulled them from their nest,but I'm still nervous, yet DF>at the same time kind of excited... Do you have any tips for me. I'm DF>sure anything you can tell me would be helpful. 1) calm down. Being nervous won't help at all. 2) have all the proper equipment RIGHT THERE. candy thermometer that reads at least from 95F to 120F proper size syringes (lovebirds, probably 10cc) coffee cups custard cup or small bowl that sits in coffee cup paper towels and tissues formula (Kaytee, Roudybush, Pretty Bird, Lafebers or some other brand made for EXOTIC birds, not wild birds) 3) read the instructions on the formula container several times practice mixing some up a couple times until you get the idea of the correct water/formula ratio (it should be about the thickness of applesauce or pancake batter) and get the hang of mixing it the right temperature 4) use the thermometer to get the water temp. to 105F, NO higher, not much lower (too high burns crop tissue, too much lower and the babies may refuse it as too cold). Once the water is the right temp, quickly mix the food in the small bowl or custard cup, and suspend it over the coffee cup filled with HOT water (acts as a double boiler, keeps the food warmer longer). 5) When you feed, hold the syringe in the right hand, baby facing direcly toward you. Put syringe into baby's mouth from ITS left side, and gently drip a tiny amount onto the tongue. The bird's throat is divided in the center--ITS right side is the side where the food goes down (esophagus), ITS left side is the passage to the lungs (trachea). If you just put a bit in the mouth and watch the baby swallow, you'll see what I mean. Don't squirt a LOT or it'll choke. Once you get the "feel" for this, you can work into a rhythm with the baby, feed-swallow-feed-swallow, and it'll empty a syringe in no time. The baby may "chug" or bob up and down when it gets the idea of syringe as food, so be prepared by having the other hand across the baby's back. Handfeeding is NOT difficult in theory, but it takes lots of practice. If you're careful in food preparation, keep it the right temp, and are very careful when you feed so the baby doesn't aspirate (inhale) formula, you'll be OK. Feed until the crop feels like a mostly-full water balloon--not TIGHT, but just firm yet still pliable. Then onto the next baby. Be sure to check the formula temp if it takes more than 2 minutes--the stuff cools fast. If you MUST re-heat in the microwave, check the temp many times, and stir well to get rid of hot spots before feeding the next baby. It'll be frustrating at first, but you'll get the hang of it soon. Once you're done, wash the syringes out, and either boil them to sterilize, or soak in Oxyfresh or bleach until the next use. Rinse any disinfectant off quite well before the next feeding. Wash all the dishes, dispose of leftover formula (NEVER re-use mixed formula), change all the bedding in the brooder while the babies are out, and put'em back until the next feeding. Hope this helps!!! --Kathy * SLMR 2.1a * I feel more like I do now than I did a while ago. --- Silver Xpress Mail System * Origin: bloom county bbs * Parrots HQ * (313)582-0888 (1:2410/400) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 225 PARROTS Ref: D45L3474 Date: 04/04/96 From: KATHY JOHNSON Time: 10:05am \/To: SUE HATHAWAY (Read 3 times) Subj: Re: Parrots SH> KJ> have bird soup if that happened here--the computer stuff is SH> KJ> sacred... SH> Well this one is too... he just tries it now & then, usually SH> when he's not getting attention. Ah, a distraction chewer! I have a couple of those--if I'm not looking, they'll go for window ledges or curtains. They never get a chance at the computer however--they're right under my chin here, so I can see every move. SH> I'm glad our Sysop found this echo.... imagine: nothing but SH> birds! What a country! America--what a place, eh? A whole echo devoted to bird chatter! Welcome aboard! --Kathy * SLMR 2.1a * I have a firm grip on reality. Now I can strangle it. --- Silver Xpress Mail System * Origin: bloom county bbs * Parrots HQ * (313)582-0888 (1:2410/400) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 225 PARROTS Ref: D45L3475 Date: 04/04/96 From: KATHY JOHNSON Time: 10:09am \/To: CANDY NAYLOR (Read 3 times) Subj: wanted CN>I know this may be a stupid request, but does anyone have any budgie, teils, CN>or other good bird that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? You should be able to find a lovebird or a cockatiel from a breeder for well under $100 anywhere in the country. Call a couple vets and see if there are any breeders or bird clubs in your area. Follow up with the bird clubs, and ask for referrals to breeders of smaller birds. It should not be difficult to find reasonable prices on handfed tiels, lovebirds, or sometimes even budgies! Good luck in your search! --Kathy * SLMR 2.1a * I saw Elvis. He sat between me and Bigfoot on the UFO. --- Silver Xpress Mail System * Origin: bloom county bbs * Parrots HQ * (313)582-0888 (1:2410/400) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 225 PARROTS Ref: D45L3476 Date: 04/04/96 From: KATHY JOHNSON Time: 10:24am \/To: JAN THOMAS (Read 3 times) Subj: bird show JT>-> Directly across from me was another older couple selling VERY YOUNG JT>-> baby Sun conures. Less than a week old, eyes not even open yet. I JT> I'm shuddering here along with you. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING????? JT>This is not just stupidity, it's animal cruelty. It seems to me that JT>people should have to prove themselves to be knowledgable bird breeders JT>to sell birds in these shows. If art shows can restrict exhibitors, why JT>couldn't bird shows, with lives of birds at stake, not do likewise? JT>Behavior like you described should result in some disciplinary measures. I'm amazed that the show organizers allow this stuff to go on any longer. I guess as long as they get their table money, they don't care WHAT you sell. I really wanted to go throttle the old couple who were selling the tiny Sun babies; they were totally oblivious to the dangers to which they were subjecting those babies. And they made a point of telling me that they use the Oxyfresh to clean their syringes...like that's going to help, after the babies have been exposed to who knows what at the shows??? NEXT show I do, I'm asking to be put with all the toy vendors, not near any birds; just so I don't have to watch this stuff go on all day! --Kathy * SLMR 2.1a * A KGB keyboard has no key! --- Silver Xpress Mail System * Origin: bloom county bbs * Parrots HQ * (313)582-0888 (1:2410/400) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 225 PARROTS Ref: D45L3477 Date: 04/04/96 From: KATHY JOHNSON Time: 10:34am \/To: PETE HOPPING (Read 3 times) Subj: Need Suggestions PH>I am considering buying a parrot but before I do so, I want to read PH>as much as I can about them. I know nothing about birds at all. PH>I would appreciate reccomendations on any books you may feel would PH>be helpful to me. I do not want to go out and get a parrot "cold." PH>It would not be fair to the bird for his owner to be completely PH>ignorant about bird care and parrot behavior. Thanks in advance! Pete, this warms my heart to hear you say this!!!! I'm the moderator out here. Welcome to Parrots--you have found a home! I'd suggest getting the current issue of Birds USA. It's an annual magazine that just put out the 1996 issue. It's written for people like you who want to know BEFORE they buy. It has some articles on each species of bird (conures, macaws, amazons, etc.), articles on basic care, caging, nutrition, and a list of breeders around the country. As for BOOKS, I'd recommend "My Parrot, My Friend" by Bonnie M. Doane, "Understanding the Life of Birds" by P. Coyle, "Feeding your Pet Bird" by P. Burgmann. These three give you good ideas on how birds think, eat, behave, and some of their needs. If you have any questions, PLEASE feel free to ask out here. There are many knowledgeable folks who are more than willing to help. Once again, welcome aboard!!! --Kathy * SLMR 2.1a * There are only 3 lawyer jokes--the rest are true stories. --- Silver Xpress Mail System * Origin: bloom county bbs * Parrots HQ * (313)582-0888 (1:2410/400) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 225 PARROTS Ref: D4A00000 Date: 04/05/96 From: RICK FREY Time: 10:11pm \/To: ALL (Read 3 times) Subj: Forsale Rainbow Lory I have a Rainbow Lory For Sale or for Trade.Will take $285. it is a Year old.. has not been sexed yet.. Would like to trade it for a Female Goffin, Orange Wing,Or a Chaco Blue Front.Will Pay for shipping on both birds if there is a trade!!It is semi-tame.. was hand fed.. but is real hand shy.. does not like to be reached out for.. DOESN"T BITE! Can say a few things when it wants to like----give me sugar and hello mumbles a few other things .. if interested Please leave me mail or call me voice..thanks Rick Frey (205)309-0325 --- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12 * Origin: *Weird Science,BBS!,Decatur,AL (205)351-9896* (1:3607/7.0) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 225 PARROTS Ref: D4A00001 Date: 04/05/96 From: BARBARA HOWELL Time: 04:52am \/To: ALL (Read 3 times) Subj: Slender billed conure Hi guys, Looks like I am going to be doing some horsetrading for a Slender billed conure that is 6 or 7 y/o and a hen. I am going to be looking for a MALE slender billed conure sometime this spring/summer to either trade or buy. If anyone has one they want to sell/trade/whatever or knows info on where I can find one (I hear the Mission Texas seized bird auctions sometimes have some. Texans????) Please let me know. Post to me via AIE, or Fido net mail, or email me (takes a few extra days to get mail) as below, just the numbers not the name 169-9402@tnet.bluethun.com or call/write Barbara & Ed Howell Five Gates Exotics PO Box 687 Green Cove Springs, Fl 32043 (904)284-7464 I also have 4 lines of voice mail if you call! You should get through! Thanks!!! * SLMR 2.1a * "Bother," said Pooh as he puked on Christopher Robin. --- GEcho 1.00 * Origin: AVIAN INTERACTIVE EXCHANGE (717)755-0819 (1:270/631) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 225 PARROTS Ref: D4A00002 Date: 04/04/96 From: DAVID SPANGLER Time: 09:02am \/To: CANDY NAYLOR (Read 3 times) Subj: Re: wanted CN> I know this may be a stupid request, but does anyone have any budgie, teils There is no such thing as a dumb question. CN> or other good bird that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? We don't have a ot CN> money, but our kids want a bird like our friend's pigmy parrot, but every CN> person we have talked to tells us 200-$600 dollars. I had two budgies years CN> ago when they were $4 each.Well, just checking. Thanks. Let us know what part of the country you are located, someone here might be able to slide something your way, If your close enough to me I might be able to fix you up, but if you are too far shipping costs would be rohibitive for anything we would have. But there might be someone else on the system hat is local to you... Dave --- GEcho 1.00 * Origin: AVIAN INTERACTIVE EXCHANGE (717)755-0819 (1:270/631) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 225 PARROTS Ref: D4A00003 Date: 04/04/96 From: BARBARA HOWELL Time: 09:11am \/To: PATTI JONES (Read 3 times) Subj: GOLDEN WING PJ>Barbara, PJ> Thanks for the warning about the threads choking your lovies....Morgan PJ>snuggles with his flannel rag.....but I'll keep a close eye. No problem. Just wanted to warn you. They just pulled some threads loose and the hen was hung from playing. Be careful OK? Barbara * SLMR 2.1a * Hanging: An early Western form of Bungee jumping... --- GEcho 1.00 * Origin: AVIAN INTERACTIVE EXCHANGE (717)755-0819 (1:270/631) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 225 PARROTS Ref: D4A00004 Date: 04/04/96 From: BARBARA HOWELL Time: 09:11am \/To: FRAN WARWICK (Read 3 times) Subj: Poloyoma FW> BH> sell locally if possible. I also have been informed of some new esear FW> BH> data that might blow old theories about polyoma out of the water. Do FW> BH> by any chance have access to the AAV Journal? I think there might be FW> BH> interesting article appear there soon. FW>No, I don't. Keeps us posted on what it the article in AAV says, please. I will. I have a friend who's vet is going to fax her a copy of whatever comes out. FW> BH> But the point is, unwittingly, there the virus was just across the room FW> BH> and it didn't cross those few feet! I walked past that cage around the FW> BH> bed to get to the babies. I think we are going to learn a lot more soon FW> BH> about polyoma. Don't get me wrong. It is a very serious disease and I FW> BH> highly respect and hate it. FW> BH> Well, enough ranting, FW>How is your hubby? Sorry to hear that the Red Heads eggs wereen't fertile. FW>That is frustrating, isn't it? I thought the Moustache eggs weren't ertile FW>and instead of pitching eggs I'm handfeeding some chicks. It looks like he FW>Great Bills are going to nest. I hope that the chicks make it out of the g FW>this year. Ed is better. Toe is smaller and less cellulitis in it and the ulcer is healing well on the toe. Don't know when they will get around to doing surgery on his back. Ed went to Sarasota Fl today to court about back child support. He has mostly been out of work because of impending surgery then the complications that had to be fixed before surgery is a go. We also are having to deal with his mom who is 78 and has alzheimers. She was in the hospital last week and Fri we got her into a new home, a private ACLF type place with 6 or 8 patients that will take them a little physically worse off than institutional typed places will, $1500 a mo and that is good comparably. Also spent last week shucking and jiving legally so her house wouldn't be forclosed on due to her bills being behind and all. Got that taken care of too. The good news is today I pulled the tiny Red Bellied macaw babies to feed. Mama only likes to feed one so I pulled them both. Pulled some tiels too and am still feeding the red throated conures which are finally looking like birds. The even better news is that the Yellow Crowned Amazon eggs are fertile!!! And the 2d pr of Mexican Redheads might be fertile too, but I can't tell yet for sure. Hatched a blue crown conure today and have two green cheeks. The babies are starting to trickle in. And the B&G's are getting kinda big. Still with Ma and Pa for another week or so. TTYL, Barbara * SLMR 2.1a * Hanging: An early Western form of Bungee jumping... --- GEcho 1.00 * Origin: AVIAN INTERACTIVE EXCHANGE (717)755-0819 (1:270/631)