Trying to save a baby gouldian...

isibee · Post by **isibee** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 1:30 am

well here I am in a dilemma...trying to save it by handfeeding on a regular schedule. I bought the hand feed powder and mixed in some pedialyte also being careful to put it at the right temperature and thickness.

Now my problem is this...it doesn t seem to get better...

it doesn t fatten up. (it s been 3 days) This chick is almost 30 days old but looks like 15...it was "forgotten" by the foster parents and found it at the bottom of the cage, cold.

I made a home brooder according to specs on internet...hopefully it will get better...soon.

Can anybody tell me if I am missing something?

thanks

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:54 am

Isibee,
Some chicks just don't develop normally. "Failure to thrive" is common with handfeeding. I've had quite a few die with handfeeding. It's very disheartening. You can do all that you can, but sometimes it's just not enough. I guess some people have this magical touch, I know I don't.

Good luck with the chick. I hope it survives. How are the droppings? Firm, watery, color, etc?

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 5:08 am

cant help you with this at all, I dont hand raise any of my birds.

good luck with it though, hope it survives

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 7:54 am

Isibee, I think mickp has given you the best advice. Sometimes if they are ignored suddenly I think the parents know best. The bird is not thriving and there may be something wrong with it. I hate it when this happens and it is heart wrenching. I have had to put down a few birds due to this. I hope it goes well for you and just know you did all you could otherwise. Please keep us posted .

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:34 am

I don't handfeed either. Best wishes for success - maybe he is just slow...?

isibee · Post by **isibee** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:17 am

sorry guys but it died this morning...

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:48 am

Sorry for loss its harder when you try so hard but there was probaly something wrong and the hen new it

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:54 am

I'm sorry, Isibee.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:58 pm

So sorry for your loss.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 5:34 am

mother nature wins again. better luck with the next clutch that you have

Post by **Sally** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 1:57 pm

So sorry for your loss--as mick said, mother nature wins again. It sounds like that baby was doomed even before you started with the handfeeding, etc. You did your best, but some of these babies just aren't going to make it, no matter what. Better luck next time.