Need advice with lutino

[slwatson]

Sally lovezebs Babs, or anyone else who can help!

I recently purchased a lutino juvenile and I'm a little concerned about him. (not sure about the sex yet, but I'll call it a him until I know for sure) He was in a nest with his sibling as they were both getting ready to fledge, and the sibling died, which we believe caused him to fledge too early. He's able to feed himself just fine, but he's not a very strong flier, and his wings do not tuck back like my other birds. Could it be he's still too young for that? Is there anything I can do to make him stronger, or will this just take time?

[Sally]

How old was he when you purchased him? Has he gone through his adult molt yet? If he is that young, then I'd make sure he eats egg food, as he is still growing and needs the extra protein. Other than that, I think you just have to wait and see.

[slwatson]

Sally

Thanks Sally. I actually got him from Colt...he had just started eating on his own when I got him, so he must still be pretty young. He hasn't molted as far as I know. I always offer egg food in that cage...I'm just not sure if he's eating it.

[MariusStegmann]

slwatson Stacey, do you know what the parents are? Are both parents Lutinos?

Carlos comments on his website theparrotfinches.com and I quote:

"I do not recommend pairing Lutino/Lutino as chicks tend to be weak, small and losses are high. Try pair Lutino back to a normal or split it is much more favorable."

I have heard that the lutinos don't do well outside as their eyes tend to be light-sensitive.

[slwatson]

MariusStegmann

Dad was a normal split to lutino blue faced parrot and mom was a lutino blue faced parrot. The breeder I bought him from and I both know to never pair a lutino to a lutino, because it would also cause more vision problems than they already have I just have to make sure my lutino isn't in direct light, because his red eyes are much more sensitive to light. My birds are all inside.

I'm hoping this little guy will get stronger as he grows.

[Sally]

slwatson If he is just weaned, I'd keep a close eye on him. Being that young, then taken to a mart, then getting a new home--that's a lot of stress in a short period of time for a baby. Do you have an electrolyte solution like Dr. Marshall's NV powder or Morning Bird's Vitalize? If so, I would add that to his water for a few days at least.

[slwatson]

Sally

Hi Sally...he didn't go to the mart with me. I bought him from Colt a couple of weeks ago I think. I just forgot to take a picture and post it earlier. I think I do have some NV powder. I'll check when I get home. Thanks!

[Sally]

slwatson Sorry, I assumed you bought him from Colt at the Conroe mart.

[slwatson]

Sally

That's ok! I've been keeping an eye on him, and he's doing ok. I honestly don't know if he'll go to the bottom of the cage and eat the egg food I've been leaving there. I'm thinking about finding something to mount higher in the cage with the egg food so he feels more comfortable getting to it.