Baby lovebird - Weight and crop problem (?) - Hand feeding

[DarvinLovebird]

Hello,

One of my baby lovebirds don't gain weight recently. He is 23 days old and weigh 31-32g.
I feed him 10-12% his weight every 4 hours but his crop not emptying to next feeding sometimes. Usually there's a bit of hard formula on the bottom of crop. In such situation I give him warm water with a little bit of vinegar apple cider and make a crop massage. After that his crop is empty nicely.
He isn't lethargic, he still has an appetite, run and chirping, pooping like always. All is same as always except the not gaining weight and problems with crop sometimes.
Of course I will go to my vet soon. She is not avian vet but it's better than nothing.
I'm really afraid that my baby may have some crop infection.

Question to people with experiance with hand feeding: Do you ever had such situation (Not gaining weigh)? What was a reason? How you resolve it?

Food: KAYTEE - Exact Handfeedning Universal
Brooder temp: 33-34C (91-93F)
Food temp: 39-40C (102-104F)
Baby age: 23 days
Weigh: 31-32 g


Thank you in advance

[maxollie]

Personally, if you can find one, I would try a different brand of baby bird formula on him. There may be something in the Exact that is not agreeing with him, so he is not getting the nutrition he needs for him to grow. Was he the last one to hatch? Was he very small to begin with?

[DarvinLovebird]

Personally, if you can find one, I would try a different brand of baby bird formula on him. There may be something in the Exact that is not agreeing with him, so he is not getting the nutrition he needs for him to grow. Was he the last one to hatch? Was he very small to begin with?

Yes, he was last and maybe was a bit smaller. He still acts normal and is very strong.. like very... He already can step up on finger .... And he jumps and climb. Compared to his older sibling he is like racing car.
Ive visit vet and her bird man teacher and they told me that some baby birds can stop gain waight when they start growing more feathers and if he is acting normal then is no need to worry.
So I dont know anymore...
His weight stop really sudden.. He were gaining weight same as my first baby and then suddenly stopped. If the kaytee wasnt good for him I think from beginning there would be a problem..
I was already thinking about changing formula. There are not too much to choose. . I could find two other and in bird man teacher' opinion Kaytee is only one good for bird this age. Other are for older birds.

Im really worried still and keep eye on him 24/7.

[maxollie]

It is best to follow your vets recommendations, so continue with the Exact. It is really difficult to judge what the loss of weight may be. Did your vet suggest adding any seeds, or other foods to his diet? Or would the vet suggest any extra vitamins...even though I know there are vitamins in the exact?

[DarvinLovebird]

It is best to follow your vets recommendations, so continue with the Exact. It is really difficult to judge what the loss of weight may be. Did your vet suggest adding any seeds, or other foods to his diet? Or would the vet suggest any extra vitamins...even though I know there are vitamins in the exact?

She and bird man teacher said to feed him like before, no changes and just have an eye on him in case of losing weight or change in behavior.
Its like no need to worry in their opinion but for me it's so frustrating. It would be much better to hear if someone had similar situation and all was just fine and bird is now healthy adult.

[DarvinLovebird]

I wanna update this thread.
Since the baby is very energetic he just needed more formula that 10% of his weight.
Now he is almost 2 month and weight 46g. Still energetic and can fly like the best pilot. Still has problems with landing tho.

[boomer girl]

I am happy he is happy and healthy now. You did great keeping him nice and fed.