tommyn Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Hi all, yesterday we received a young cockatiel from a man who keeps and breeds cockatiels, I'm not sure how old he is but I'd say 5-6 weeks. He doesn't seem to understand what a water dish is, and has stayed on the bottom huddled up, asleep. I've put seed on the bottom and have seen him eating, but he won't drink. I've got a water dish on the bottom of the cage, but he won't go near it. We tried using a syringe to give him a small drop of water at a time but he just won't take it. Is the bird 'unweaned'? Is there anything I can do to save him? I had him out in my hands when trying to use the syringe and he just kind of closed his eyes and went asleep. Any help would be much appreciated. Tommy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
she Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 I do not think he is weaned. He sounds very ill infact. Please get some food in to him and go to a vet right away.The vet will check him over and give you advise.For now look in the nursary section hear for tips on feeding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Sheila is right, this bird does not sound like it is weaned and the man should not have sold it to you and he certainly should have known how old it was if it was his bird, get him to a vet ASAP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyn Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 Thanks for the replies, I was in hospital when the bird arrived so didn't get to talk to him, but he's definitely over 5 weeks old, he's eating seed etc, and we've managed to give him some water via the syringe, also placed a saucer on the bottom of the cage. I may see about getting him to a vet asap, anyone who has read my thread in the past about my cockatiel that died will know the only vet capable of treating/diagnosing birds is an hour away from here. Will let you know what happens! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Yes I remember that but when you have a bird that may be sick or in need of professional care then you do what you have to and if that means traveling for several hours then you do it. I am sorry to hear you were just in the hospital, maybe you should have put off getting the bird if you are under the weather, hope you are getting better. Please do keep us informed Tommy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyn Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 Indeed Judy, I'd do anything to save a bird, but I have no way of getting to the specialist tonight. I got on the phone to the breeder and he told me the bird had been eating and drinking as well as perching himself for the last 10 days and that he would never sell a bird that wasn't eating by itself. My father knows him and his parents, so we believe him. Earlier today he was chirping and eating and trying to climb up the cage, even jumping and catching onto the side of the cage. He looks exhausted now and is closing his eyes and leaning over to one side not moving, is he just exhausted and is stressed in his new enviroment? I've read about cockatiels not eating/drinking/sleeping for the first few days in a new place.<br><br>Post edited by: tommyn, at: 2009/06/25 23:39 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyn Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 Well he just died, we had him less than 24 hours...I'm really confused as to what happened him. He was chirping today and jumping from the bottom of the cage up onto perches and back down again and also going around eating seed/picking at a honey stick. He was sleeping a LOT though, I just found him sitting upright, eyes half closed. Would him sleeping alot give any clues as to what happened?<br><br>Post edited by: tommyn, at: 2009/06/26 02:00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 I am so sorry Tommy but when you initially said he was sleeping a lot and not moving much that was a sign he was sick and it was already too late then to save him. I know this is hard for you being that you just lost one but you did the best you could. He was already sick when you got him for birds will be sick before they ever show any signs of being sick, maybe you should talk to the breeder about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyn Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 Afraid so Judy, the breeder told us there's a chance with birds his age that they may die due to stress from leaving the nest and not adjusting to their new enviroment though I'm not sure that's necessarily what happened here. I don't think he would have survived last night even if we had got him to a local vet (who are honestly quite terrible when dealing with birds) it's a terrible shame as he was a lovely and friendly little bird and had the potential to be just like Zack. I've just started learning how to drive so hopefully as soon as I see a problem starting I can do something about it straight away myself, rather than having to depend on other people. Thanks for your help, I'm not quite sure whether to get another bird now or not. Tommy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Well again you have my condolenses on your loss and only you know whether you should get another one but I don't think it was the stress either. Maybe if you do get another one get it from a different source, thats my opinion but this one was just not meant to be. Hang in there Tommy as it will get easier and stay in touch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eckobird Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Aww I am sorry to hear of your loss Tommy! You did everything you could do, its not your fault. RIP little birdy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyn Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 Thanks for your messages! The breeder still has 4 birds from the clutch this guy came from and as some people will know by reading my other threads, the birds from this clutch are related to a cockatiel I bought 10 years ago which sadly passed away from bone cancer recently. I was determined to get one from the same ancestry, and don't think I'll give up just yet. I'll keep you all informed as my aviary should be built in the next 2 months. Regards Tommy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Oh I remember now about that, sorry Tommy, yes you want one from the bloodline, well good luck to you and I hope it works out for you this time. I want to see some pictures of that aviary when you finish it ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now