mcuellar2413 Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 I officially have my first Congo African Grey and I am thrilled but also very scared! The problem is that I think the breeder lied to me about her age. I have a sun conure named Samba that I bought from the same breeder at 8 weeks and I hand fed her and she really weened herself; I am pretty sure this was pure dumb luck! Anyway Kenya was supposedly 7 weeks about to be 8 weeks today, but when I look at developmental pics of other babies she looks more like about 6 weeks. She has the soft downy feathers and her head is grey but her wings only have pin feathers no open ones. She also has no red coming through on her tail yet, I will post some pics later. He told me to give her 25-30 ml 3x a day, but this morning she took about 40ml and acted like she might want more. Here are my main questions: 1. She eats fast and wants alot should I add another feeding in? 2. Right now she is in a box in the corner of her cage, with a rubber mat under it and a light to keep her warm. I have the box lined with paper towels and pine shavings, is that ok? 3.I try and talk to her and rub her head and neck, as well as hold her before she eats. How much should I be handling her if she is younger than he said? I don't know if I should do it alot or just leave her alone until she gets older. I would be greatful for any advice you can give, and I will keep you updated on our progress. Thanks in advance. Monica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayd Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 (edited) Greetings and a wonderful welcome to the Grey Forum. I just read your thread and if I may; a few questions. How active is this little guy? Is he noisy or quiet and how alert is he? Suggestion: put a soft stringless towel under the paper towels. Make sure you keep him out of drafts and dampness. The light for warmth is a good idea and try to keep the room at a constant temperature. As far as feeding goes, they will usually stop when they are full and the crop should feel slightly spongy, not taut like a blown-up balloon. I feel it would be good to feed the baby one or two more feedings. I am sure that you have heard that they will cut out their feedings when they are ready. You can increase the amount you are feeding him also (remember the crop). Something I feel is very important is to feed them consistently every day, 24/7. His last feeding for the day should be 8 to 9 hours before his first feeding the following day. For example: 6am, 10am, 2pm, 6pm and 10pm. Make sure the consistency is thickish like ketchup or possibly a little thicker. Don't worry about water because the formula has more than enough water. The more water in the formula, the less amount of time the formula has a chance to stay in and be absorbed in his system. Keep water (change often) and a few Cheerios crushed pellets, in the cage during waking hours. There are a lot of "greyt" souls on this forum concerning this subject matter. Please keep us all updated and posted. We would love to see some photos. I am more than happy to give you any input I can. Jayd P.S. Let the little one have some space but give all the love, cuddling and talking you can especially each morning and before and after each meal and before putting to bed at night. Sit close and let the baby play with a finger, Cheerios or little foot toys. Talk to the baby with clear and concise words that you plan on using with this little bundle of love for life. Edited March 27, 2011 by Jayd Added P.S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcuellar2413 Posted March 27, 2011 Author Share Posted March 27, 2011 (edited) Hi, It is great to hear back from you(one of the other members actually refered me to your post on handfeeding). Kenya is alert and makes noises quite a bit and takes naps in between. She makes purring type of noise and kind of a low mooing, mixed in with other sounds. I see her peaking out at me and she is stomping her big feet around and flapping her wings a little. My sun conure is assisting with the cuddles and preening when she feels like it and I put some toys on one side of her box that she nibbles on. I have been holding her and laying a blanket on the floor and getting down on it with her and she seems to like that. I live in southern California but we have been having some colder than normal temps so when if feels too cold I put a heating bad under one side of her box. I think I need to thicken the formula up a little and I will add in another feeding because at this point I am sure she is not the 8 weeks that the breeder told me! Here are some pics, please help me out with possible age. Thanks again for all your advice believe me I will do everything I can to make sure she is healthy and loved. With my kids I always called my Mom when I had questions and with my Fids I hopefully can rely on you and the other members of this forum. [/img][/img] Edited March 27, 2011 by mcuellar2413 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayd Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 Thank you. Please keep the heat on, 80 degrees + till some more feathers come in. I can only guess by the picture, Kenya looks around 5+ weeks old. Keep doing what your doing, your doing grey't. here's a picture of Spock at 6wk's old, he's a Congo pig...lol Jayd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcuellar2413 Posted March 27, 2011 Author Share Posted March 27, 2011 I can't believe the breeder would straight out lie like that! I guess anything for $$$$. I thickened the formula up and she is much more active, I think she must have been hungry before. I put rubber mats all over the bottom of the cage so she can walk around and she is busy exploring. Thanks again for all your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayd Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 Sorry I forgot about the tail feathers. They really don't come into there final color till after the 1st molt. They don't always come in maroon, sometimes they are maroon with dark gray stripes,or gray with no maroon. Jayd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikestang Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 (edited) That bird is not 8 weeks but looks like a awsome lil dude Shelby was hatched nov 17 i bought her around jan 17th and she had no more pin feathers if you look on my ablum http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=30116&id=1751544583&l=8298c2f09a.. The last three pics shelby 1 to 3 they are crappy cell pics but those were take jan 25th which would put her right at 8 weeks I wish you and Kenya the absolute best I am sure she is better with you than that unscrupulos breeder Shelby never came home till march 2nd Edited March 29, 2011 by Mikestang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcuellar2413 Posted March 28, 2011 Author Share Posted March 28, 2011 What did you feed Spock? He looks like he was a full and happy baby! Did he sleep on that rolled up towel? I think my sun conure is feeding Kenya is that a bad thing? It is funny because she is still a baby herself but has been preening and trying to feed the new baby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcuellar2413 Posted March 28, 2011 Author Share Posted March 28, 2011 Wow that is a huge difference. Shelby is beautiful. I knew something was off when started to look at all the pics that show from hatching to 12 weeks. The breeder had two more birds that he said were 11 weeks and now I am figuring they were about 8 weeks, he actually convinced me to take the younger one because he said there would be a better chance she would accept my sun conure as a friend. Now I am wondering how old my sun conure is since I got her from the same breeder when she was "8 weeks". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikestang Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Thanks for the complements on Shelby I think she is just wonderful but i am a little predjudice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 That picture of Spock made me laugh out loud. Kenya is very sweet. Congratulations on your new baby, even though the dealer outright lied to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcuellar2413 Posted March 30, 2011 Author Share Posted March 30, 2011 Thank you, I guess I am just happy she is with me now and I can take good care of her. That is one big kitty you have! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 That's Duncan. I love him dearly but I'm not happy with him today because he took a swipe at Oboe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikestang Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 That's Duncan. I love him dearly but I'm not happy with him today because he took a swipe at Oboe. Thats a real cat ???being held by a adult?? I got to see more pics of that tabby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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