Four new babies...

[susan]

Hi... I am the human-mother of two peach faced lovebirds (Harmony and Opus) and four new babies, 2-4 days old. Everythng was going smoothly until today. Harmony (mommy) came out of the nesting box looking frazzled. Her feathers were fluffy and her eyes appeared tired. This was around noon and she never went back into her box with the babies until five o'clock. I was frantic and started searching the internet for help. After many emails I received a reply from Linda. After speaking to her I felt as equipped and confident handling the situation as I could possibly feel.

It is 10:15 and Harmony is in her box. Today she has spent time out of her box more than any other day in the past 3 weeks. sigh

I am so worried about her and the babies. This is the first time I have had baby lovebirds and I feel a bit overwhelmed with the responsibility and care. I will check on her throughout the night and pray everything will turn out with this happy beginning.

I appreciate this website and all the helpful life-saviing advice. I am very thankful for Linda and her helping words of experience and wisdom involving birds.
I will keep you posted.

Sincerely,Susan

[linda040899]

Hi Susan,
How is Harmony this morning? While it's possible she's just tired from caring for 4 youngsters, she may be a bit under the weather and if the fluffed feathering continues, a vet appointment is in order. I realize that it's a holiday week-end and it may be hard to find an avian vet but I would make an extra effort to find a vet who could help you in case this turns into an emergency. We have 2 emergency clinics in my area and I've been known to call both to find out which one has a professional on staff/on call who is at least familiar with birds! I may not need the individual but I know where to go, just in case.

Please keep us updated as to what's going on.

[bellarains]

Hi Susan,

Welcome to the board. I am so glad you found us. These ladies that breed here are just awesome and they will help you all they can.

I will look forward to seeing you around the board, and hearing all about your fids. Please post us some pics when you get a chance.

Lori

[Elle]

Hello Susan,

I was a little concerned last night and am so relieved that you were able to get in contact with Linda. I really hope that your little babies will be okay. Keep us posted please!

Elle

[susan]

Hello...
Thank you for your suppport and kind words, Linda, Lori, and Elle.
Harmony didn't improve over the night so I took her to the Emergancy Vet this morning. She prescribed Baytril twice a day and instructed mme to feed her as she is thin. She stated that I should remove the babies and let Harmony rest. She also stated that Opus (daddybird) is of no help to the babies. She obviously isn't afamilar with male lovebirds or at least my understanding of the male parent... Opus is very devoted and involved, although he doesn't provide enough food for the babies aat this point in time. He primary concern is Harmony.
I made a decision to leave the babies in their nest box with their parents. She stays up on the top perch, resting. Opus (dad) stays by her side and will check on the babies after I feed them.
The babies crops will fill after I feed them but I seem to see small air-like areas inside them, unlike the thick yellow areas. I don't know if they are swallowing air or if I am doing somethin wrong. Two of the babies are approx. 2 inches long and two are approx. 11/2 inches and much smaller in size. They probably are a day or two younger and therefore weaker. I will feed them more freqently.
How many ml. should I feed them. 6 drops for the small and about 8-10 drops for the two 6 day olds. One baby wants to eat more but I fear I will hurt him by feeding him more.
Please offer any advice...

Sincerely, Susan

[kimsbirds]

Hi Susan, welcome to the board !
Those little air pockets you see in the babies' crops are of no harm, provided they stay very small. It's most commonly a result of handfeeding too slowly and the birdie pumping/gulping too quickly. Once you've handfed for a few times, you and the birdies will be more in sync with each other and the air pockets should decrease. You rarely see any airpockets when mama bird feeds, she's a natural at it:)
Since your babies are only days old, the amounts they eat at each feeding sound about right. I haven't handfed many day one/two/three youngsters but I'll tell you its very nerve wracking to have to ! Most important are temperature of the formula and the ratio you mix it at ( days 1's in our home get a 7:1 water/powder ratio). You can very gradually thicken it up as the baby matures, but don't go less than 4:1 for quite a while yet. I always get nervous that the chick will aspirate formula at such a young age. Their crops should appear the size of a large green pea at this age, when just fed. By the time a baby is 10 days old, I've found many with crops as big as their abdomens! Of course, I don't feed like Mom does...nor do I want to risk it. Smaller frequent meals are more my pace.
Daddy bird may eventually figure out what he's supposed to do, but his job really doesn't start until the babies are beginning to come out of their nestbox, so I'd be planning on feeding for quite some time.
My biggest concern, and one that I believe Linda has addressed, is that these babies and their daddy have been exposed to whatever illness that Momma has, leaving everyone increasingly vulnerable. I'd be watching Daddy bird and babies very carefully for any similar symptoms, vomiting, lack of feeding response(babies should pump their heads quite vigorously for food).
Please check with the vet who treated Harmony and decide whether you should also be treating Opus??
I do hope everyone recovers nicely and your babies thrive:)
Good Luck

[susan]

Thanks Kim fo rthe air pocket advice. I am feeding the babies at a faster pace and they are happier, the air pockets are less and that makes me happier.
I still am keeping them with their mommy, at least until the Intensive Care Unit arrives on Wednesday. I hope I won't have to use it but I want to be prepared. I will pull the two smallest ones, as Linda suggested, if there is a problem with Harmony staying in her nest box for longer periods. She cares for the larger two babies... who are 6-7 days old. The little 4-5 day olds are tiny but are eating well. I will feed them more frequently.
I am concerned for Harmony, as she didn't go into her box all night. I hope the 6:00am feeding will find her more active as she seemed sleepy at 4:00am.

Thanks for your response to my situation. I appreciate your advice.
Sincerely,
Susan