MIKE! (or anyone) Stunted Cockatiel??

Celeste · New member Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 12

OK, I'm completely new to this (as Mike knows LOL Smile

)

I was reading on the internet about stunted growth and I looked at a picture of a 13 day old cockatiel and my cockatiel doesn't look like that!!

Here is the picture that I saw:
http://www.cockatielcottage.net/breeding3.html

And here is mine:

Is he stunted? Should I go ahead and hand feed him?

Celeste · New member Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 12

And isn't the hen supposed to still sit on him as well?

charmedagain · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 2273 Location: uk

Hiya its normal for some chicks to fall behind here is some pics of my baby when he was tiny and how he looks now.

this is meeko at 14 days old.

16days old.

This is meeko now

Celeste · New member Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 12

I can't see the pictures Sad

The thing that also concerns me is that his eyes aren't opened yet. They're almost opened but not all the way.

Thank you Mike, I really appreciate the info!

charmedagain · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 2273 Location: uk

Hi sorry you could not see the pictures here is the link to the pics of my animals if you click on meeko page it will take you straight to them.
As for the eyes not openeing since his parents rejected him in the begining he needs to catch up you can help if his mum is not feeding well simply give him a baby bird rearing food you can get this from any good petstore its used to hand feed and wean chicks And top him up a little every couple of hours this makes sure he is getting enough but if he crop is full and you should be able to see this then there is no need to do this.
The food in the crop should be just below the base of the neck.
But from the pics mum is doing a great job on her own.

mike.

http://community.webshots.com/user/charmedagain

Celeste · New member Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 12

Thanks Mike! Meeko does look like my Ace (heehee, that's his name Very Happy

)

Ace's eyes are open now!!

Thank you so much for helping me out! I'm sure I'll have questions later Very Happy

charmedagain · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 2273 Location: uk

I am so glad he is doing so well wont be long before you can teach him to whistle tunes and if your lucky even say a few words.

mike

Celeste · New member Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 12

I have some sad news. The baby cockatiel died today Crying or Very sad

I'm so devestated.

charmedagain · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 2273 Location: uk

I am so sorry he was doing so well. Crying or Very sad

DO you know what happened?
mike

Celeste · New member Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 12

I don't know. But looking back, I see now that he wasn't doing too well. Yesterday, he seemed so lethargic, and the parents weren't in the nest box really at all yesterday. He hadn't grown at all. He looked the same as he did a few days ago.

charmedagain · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 2273 Location: uk

HI again i am so sorry sounds like they were not looking after it properly you will find some cockatiels make great parents others just are not.

Hopefully next time she lays you wont have no problems at all.
You will find however that since this baby has gone she will more than likely to lay another cluctch of eggs within the next few days to coupld of weeks.

mike