Hello Dear 'tielers!
We got home Yohi, our new Lutino Cockatiel chick, when it was only about 3 weeks old. Presumably the eldest of a clutch of three. The intention is to hand feed it in order to and raise it to make it a member of our family and also an active part of our 9 year old daughter's daily life.
1.
Over the week, Yohi seems to have completely fledged and is flapping around the new wings. It even hopped yesterday. I am quite curious to learn about the opinions and reasons regarding the "first flight", what it's significance is, the whether to or not, and clipping wings, etc.
2.
Also, Yohi's appetite is increasing. We have been hand feeding with zupreem formula and fruit Cerelac, using a medical syringe (without the needle of course), usually 3 times a day, on almost empty crops (to a full tight crop) until it stops gaping.
3.
Yohi presently lives in a nest made inside a ventilated basket with a lid and lined with shreded newspapers. It goes back to it on its own or perches on its side wall when the lid is left open. I do have a few questions regarding training and housing.
My queries are:
1.1 Should it be let to fly? What is the significance of the first-flight?
1.2 In either case, is clipping wings a good idea? Best age for it?
1.3 Is there any way that I can tell the gender of the beautiful beast?
2.1 Ehat frequency should feeding be done at the age of 4 weeks onwards?
2.2 Why is Cerelac (fruit and grain) not advised? Baby hand feeding formulas are not easily available in small quantities locally so alternatives have to be considered.
2.3 When do I introduce other foods and how must I approach the bird with this transitioning?
3.1 When should it be moved to its own cage and what are the minimum requirements?
3.2 What age can I start to train it to mimic/talk?
Looking forward to your comments and valuable advice. Thanks in advance.
Yohi after a mini-bath today
We got home Yohi, our new Lutino Cockatiel chick, when it was only about 3 weeks old. Presumably the eldest of a clutch of three. The intention is to hand feed it in order to and raise it to make it a member of our family and also an active part of our 9 year old daughter's daily life.
1.
Over the week, Yohi seems to have completely fledged and is flapping around the new wings. It even hopped yesterday. I am quite curious to learn about the opinions and reasons regarding the "first flight", what it's significance is, the whether to or not, and clipping wings, etc.
2.
Also, Yohi's appetite is increasing. We have been hand feeding with zupreem formula and fruit Cerelac, using a medical syringe (without the needle of course), usually 3 times a day, on almost empty crops (to a full tight crop) until it stops gaping.
3.
Yohi presently lives in a nest made inside a ventilated basket with a lid and lined with shreded newspapers. It goes back to it on its own or perches on its side wall when the lid is left open. I do have a few questions regarding training and housing.
My queries are:
1.1 Should it be let to fly? What is the significance of the first-flight?
1.2 In either case, is clipping wings a good idea? Best age for it?
1.3 Is there any way that I can tell the gender of the beautiful beast?
2.1 Ehat frequency should feeding be done at the age of 4 weeks onwards?
2.2 Why is Cerelac (fruit and grain) not advised? Baby hand feeding formulas are not easily available in small quantities locally so alternatives have to be considered.
2.3 When do I introduce other foods and how must I approach the bird with this transitioning?
3.1 When should it be moved to its own cage and what are the minimum requirements?
3.2 What age can I start to train it to mimic/talk?
Looking forward to your comments and valuable advice. Thanks in advance.
Yohi after a mini-bath today