Advise for 6/7 week TAG

[cdelatorrejr]

All,

 

I will be picking up my baby TAG at the end of the month. He/she will be between 6 - 7 weeks old. I will continue to handfeeding until the baby is weaned. I have ready various books on the handfeeding and weaning process and will be spending time with the breeder over the course of a few days to become comfortable. Everything that I read so far dealt with handfeeding and weaning since its a serious commitment. I was wondering if anyone can give me advise on housing. I understand the baby should be in a brooder until about 8 weeks then transitioned to a cage. In the brooder, what should I put on the floor? One article I read suggested pine shavings but I am concerned about the baby ingesting it and blocking the esophagus. Another article talked about "spayed" legs which I want to avoid. Thanks in advance for the advice.

[lovemyGreys]

Yes definately a big NO to pine shavings, babies often ingest them , Shredded newspaper covered with a few layers of paper towels is one option.

 

Spayed legs would be apparent from an early age & is in most cases treatable if dealt with early on,by 6/7 weeks you would know if your baby had them.

 

Here is link on handfeeding,all babies vary in the rate at which they wean & it is meant as a guidline only..

 

http://www.greyforums.net/forums/the-nursery/73409-handfeeding-a-baby-grey.html

 

http://www.greyforums.net/forums/the-nursery/73842-associated-risks-of-hand-feeding.html

[cdelatorrejr]

Thanks, I'll go with the shredded newspaper and paper towel option. Should I put a wire grate on top of it or not? Does this matter? I read an article stating it helps to support the baby's balance in learning to walk and get around.

[lovemyGreys]

It Doesnt really matter, just something else to clean Once your grey goes from the brooder to a small cage it's best to have something stable on the floor,i have included a link so you can have a look through my pictures at the cage around 8/9 weeks..

 

 

http://www.greyforums.net/forums/the-nursery/72900-the-journey-from-an-egg-in-pictures.html

[cdelatorrejr]

One more questions about housing my baby TAG. When I transition him/her to a cage, I have two options. I already have a 3'L x2'W 4'H cage setup or a small 24"L x 18"W x 24"H spare cage I used to house budgies in. If I move him in the larger cage, I can put all the perches, feeding dishes and toys at the bottom but I am concerned about the baby climbing and hurting himself. If I place the baby in the smaller cage, will it be too cramped? Thanks in advance for your advice.:huh:

[lovemyGreys]

Personally i would go with the first option & keep the perches & feeding dishes low, once your baby has found his feet he is going to climb, they all do & it is a worry but he will be fine.

[judygram]

You can start out with the smaller cage if you like just don't put many toys and things in there to take up all the space, then you can move it to the bigger cage and put something down on the bottom to cushion any falls until it gets more adept at climbing around the cage. Just put the bowls and perches lower at first then later you can raise them some.

[cdelatorrejr]

If I put the baby TAG in the larger cage, can I put a beach towel at the bottom to lessen the blow of falling and also so his feet do not go through the grate? Is this advisable?<br><br>Post edited by: cdelatorrejr, at: 2008/06/16 22:07

[lovemyGreys]

Yes pad the bottom out with a towel & put newspaper on the top,then you can change the paper frequently,im currently doing this with my baby macaw,but she still climbs up the cage & gives me heart attacks but they do cope fine & usually find their way down.