Wow, I really can't believe they are selling babies so young in a pet shop that is shocking.

 

You have done the right thing by questioning the advice you were given and coming on here to make sure you are doing the right things. It is great that you are taking everyone's advice very seriously and seem to care very much for your dear little baby bird.

 

I really hope your baby survives. When we had to handraise some babies that were attacked by their parents, when they were around that age it was really quite 50/50 as to whether they would survive. There are so many things that can go wrong, even if you have the right nutrients. Please do heaps and heaps of research. This forum is a good place to start. I wish you all the very best.

That really is awful and irresponsible of the petshop. But like krosp said, good one you for listening to our advice and taking it to work with you if you can. Leaving the baby alone that long at home is not right. It should be fed every 4 or so hours, and kept warm with a heatlamp, especially since it doesn't have any feathers at all.

 

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Just found this topic. I am shocked to see that anyone could so recklessly sell a chick and give such minimal information regarding its care needs.

 

I think i had better leave my rant at that! It will only gain momentum otherwise lol. Good on you for trying your best and doing your all for this bird. I hate to think what might have happened were it to go to someone a little less fortunate. Best of luck, please keep us posted.

Thanks for all the kind words and advice. I took off work a little early and got home at 5. Let me tell you he was very hungry. The only thing we have in the house was the mini seeds I was talking about so I warmed it up like the pet shop suggested and spoon feed him. He was going crazy getting food every place. Once he ate about half he calmed down a lot. He seems okay. He cries or chirps a lot like if he was hungry. I started to talk to him and was holding him to my chest in my cupped hands. He fell sleep. I had to go out so I put him back in his box covering it w a towel. We went to a different pet shop but it was closed. We feed him the small seeds again and it seems that he likes them. Tomorrow my girlfriend will be going to a different pet shop to get different food for him. Do you think the seeds will be okay since he is eating them? Also he cries a lot or chirps a lot when we hold him, is that normal? Should we not hold him and leave him in his cage?

He needs to be in a box of some sort that allows heat in from a lamp. Line the box with a towel to keep him warm.

 

He shouldn't be eating seeds at his age. He needs hand rearing formula. This comes in the form of a powder which you mix with warm water and either feed by spoon or plastic syringe (with no needle of course).

 

Since you can't view images here on the site, perhaps view these. You will need hand rearing formula something like these:

 

http://www.kimani.com.au/Images/neocare.jpg

 

http://www.tkpoultrysupplies.com.au/x-scri...images/harf.JPG

 

http://vetnpetdirect.com.au/files/P/t_17314.jpg

 

Mix it according to the instructions on the packet. And definitely take the bird with you to work if you can, keeping it warm along the way and feeding it every 4 hours.

 

Good luck.

Good day, how is every body doing?

 

 

Here is an update of my adventure in Japan and baby budgie….

 

Well my girlfriend went to another pet shop; she took our little guy with her to show them how young he is and to see if there was anything wrong.

 

 

Well let me tell you, I guess they have different believes here because this pet shop also had some birds about the same age and they said that’s what they feed them. There is nothing wrong with what the other pet shop told us. I can’t believe it but that’s all they said. She purchased some powder food anyways to give to him. They said to mix it with the seed food because the powder stuff will not be fulfilling to him. They said to feed him 3 times a day and that that was sufficient.

 

 

I will have to take pictures tonight of all the stuff we have and to show you guys how the little guy is looking. He is doing fine by the way. Last night a few hours after he ate I took him out of his box and was holding him on my chest. I seems like he likes the way I hold him. I put my hand in the box and he jumps on. My girlfriend did the same and he doesn’t, he just looks at her. She was a little mad and jealous, Hehehe….

 

 

I will take pics of everything and post them later tonight or tomorrow. See what you all think.

look forward to seeing the pictures.. I can't believe that pet shops sell them at that age over there... Thats just crazy... in my humble opinion.

most of the pet shop workers do not have a clue what they are talking about. If you ever need to go to a pet shop, go in and get what you want and go out. Your know more about your birds welfare then pet shop owners. They will try sell anything for profit, they will give you the wrong med's, the wrong seed, the wrong age babies. Cant trust them.

 

I cant wait for pics and good luck.

actually that last one did give good advise, if you are changing food for one so young mixing them together and slowly changing over is the way to go so it isn't a shock to the system.

 

handle him as often as you are happy with but be sure that he can sleep when he needs to... handling him now before he can fly means he will be use to use once grown and will be tame. when young like that they will chirp often to parents and siblings.

That is so irresponsible of the pet shop and the breeder! Well done for helping him!

 

Looking forward to the photos!

Any news ??

Yes, I would love an update.

wow, like i said in a forum post a few hours ago...never trust pet shops....EVER, and like kaz said, their all about the $$$

its also the breeder's fault for doing such a silly thing for selling a 2 week old chick to a pet shop of all places.

Morning... Sorry I have been away for meetings and busy with lots of work. I have not had time to load the pics yet. I will have to take more pics cause the little guy is growing fast. It is very surprising- Everyday is different.

 

Again, sorry for the delay but I will try to get them up this weekend.

 

I think he is doing good. My girlfriend watches him everyday now. I am to busy with work so I have no time. There is one thing. She was reading a Japanese site and they said that if the birds beak is black at the tip, it means he is sick. Is that true? Also, she said that sometimes he eats his droppings. They also said that is a sign of a sick bird.

 

Your thoughts please. Thanks!

Good to hear he is doing well.

Black beaks just means an abundance of melanin and nothing to worry about at all...it goes away over the next few weeks. Eating droppings is something they do do to put necessary things back into their system. As long as he is healthy and not sick that will be fine. Look forward to photos when you can

Edited May 1, 200916 yr by KAZ

I am glad to hear that your bird is well... You must be doing a good job.

Thanks guys- Also Thanks KAZ I am glad to hear that is sorta normal to eat your own poop At least for birds right

 

I get to see him a few minutes everyday. In the morning for a few minutes and then at night before I go to bed for a few minutes. I'm always talking to him and when I carry him and he falls sleep. He starts to chirp and sorta mumble things in his sleep. It is so funny....

 

Ah, i just remembered I know this isn't the place but when should you start to give him water. Yesterday I was sitting there talking to him and had a glass of water. He started to lick the glass so I got him a little cup and dipped my finger in the water and gave him a few drops. Looks like he really liked it. Will it be okay now to put a little bowl of water in his box? He is 1 month now..... :hap: Today is his 1 month birthday :hap:

Here are the pics:

From Japanese pet store

 

 

How the seeds look

 

Jokey 4/27/2009

 

Jokey 4/27 Sleep

 

Jokey looks funny but rested

 

Jokey sleep again 4/29/2009

 

Jokey under the light sleep 5/2/2009

 

 

 

Well those are the pics. Can you tell if it's he or she yet?

Really cute photos...thansk for posting. Jokey looks like a boy in those photos

Thanks for the photos. I'm thinking boy too, and you have done such a good job getting this guy through!

So glad this has worked out for you, I was really worried when I say the first pictures of this little boy. Very cute you are going to have a friend for life in this one

He is beautiful! He looks a lot like my little budgie Peanut. He looks really healthy, you've obviously done a great job caring for him. Reading all your previous posts, you sound so caring- i'm really glad you posted on here & were able to get the great advice you've been given. He's a lucky little bird to have you for a "dad"

He is so cute... The others will correct me if I am wrong but He looks like a yellow face skyblue opaline greywing??? or does the greywing dilute the colour and it is a cobolt? ahh the others will be able to tell you if you want to know

Thanks for all the great comments and the great advice. It was all that help so also give yourself a pat on the back. I really appreciate it and very happy I found this site. THANK YOU! You all are great.

 

Also, quick question - At how many months can this little guy go into a regular cage?Ah, before I forget- I saw a coment about mirrors in a birds cage. I am not sure if they are good or bad. They sell them at the pet store and a japanese post said that they are good when you have one bird. Is that true?

Edited May 2, 200916 yr by OkiBird

I would only say they are good in a situation where you cant give your bird a lot of social interaction and one on one time. Budgies can quickly fall in love with "the bird in the mirror" and some even become obsessed over it, to the exclusion of you!

 

I think your little budgie will receive all the love and attention it needs, and a mirror is not necessary at all. They are usually good for lonely budgies who have no interaction with people or other budgies.