here? I have a couple questions about the baby BFA I'm feeding and can't find any of my Rick Jordan, Rosemary Low, etc books.

Ask away Tinyfeathers...... I just recently weaned two BFAs. They turned out sweet as heck and fly to us on call - what can be better than that. Starting to talk already too !!!! (Starting to say "Hi" already)

Ok, thanks.

First let me say, that I know I'm not doing everything right with this baby, it has been years since I handfed babies and I had gotten rid of all my accessories .. brooders, incubators, syringes, etc; plus a new job in an corporate environment verus a small business environment has been something I've had to work around and out. So, it took me a little while to gather the proper equipment and get things to a point where I feel better about what I'm doing .. keeping the temperature at the right level, etc (and in spite of all this, so far my baby is doing ok so far).

First question .. at what age should I start seeing something other than the fuzzy feather down?

Second question, kinda answered itself, what age do eyes open; her/his eyes started opening at 10 days, is that normal? Fully open and alert at about 14 to 16 days, is that normal?

Still feeding about every 2 hours, when should I thicken up the formula .. and cut back to feeding every 3 or 4 hours?

Now, most important .. I've got an internal company audit coming up next week and I will not be able to have the baby with me at work, it is way to hot to even think about trying to keep her/him in the car while they are there and to sneak out to feed during my breaks and lunch .. so if I fed that morning and ran home for lunch ... it would be about 4 1/2 to 5 hours between feeding right before I left for work and then about the same time between lunch and when I got home for the day ... would that possibly hurt my guy if I had to do that for 2 days?

I haven't even been to think about weaning yet, I believe that will be around 14 to 16 weeks, right?

Again, as I have said many times before: One should not be intentionally breeding birds or allowing mating if one does not know what one is doing. With that said, please asap, order on line or wherever you can: "Handfeeding & Nursery Management" - cost about $50.00

Bird books and bird DVDs from Avian Publications. Bird books and bird DVDs about the keeping, care, and breeding of parrots and other birds. is one source where you can immediately purchase this invaluable resource to answer your questions and to have on hand as new questions come up in your mind.

Handfeeding is mostly the same for almost all species of parrots. You fill the crop to the "proper" level and then see how long it takes to empty and then that is your time schedule for the most part. No, you should not be having to feed every 2 hrs. at your bird's current age. How about some pics if ya can?

I would suggest the consistency of the food be that which runs off the bare part of your inverted wrist at a slow speed. However, if you want to be more specific on consistency, I believe the mixing directions are on the back of the bag - at least with Kaytee Exact = the formula I have mostly always used with great results.

No, the time schedule you mentioned would not hurt your bird (IME) for a couple days if need be - as long as you are filling the crop to the proper amount at each feeding and fill the crop immediately just before you go out the door and make sure you are not delayed in getting back on your break. Be careful driving of course, as if ya get in an accident, then who will handfeed your bird. You should have a back-up feeder at the ready in case of any emergency. Normally eyes open a lil earlier than you mentioned but don't be overly concerned about that now. Exact # of days for fuzz etc., I don't have at my fingertips - as I am not concerned about those things - as they just happen when they do as far as I am concerned with my own flock.

Weaning age depends on a few factors so also don't be overly concerned about that now. It will happen when it does. Good luck & please get on line asap & order that book.

I appreciate your response ... however, I am not a novice breeder just not experienced with raising my own Amazons until this baby. I have done alot of research in the past, attended lots of avian seminars , have met and got to know several well known, respected names .. breeders, researchers and avian vets in the avian world but it has been several years since I was "active" in the aviculture world. I'm sure that things have changed and new things discovered in the last few years.

My experience with hand feeding dates back to when commercial handfeeding diets were not readily available. I am familar with the handfeeding formula that you mention but was not happy with the results it provided when I was raising babies on a regular basis. I choose to use ZuPreem's handfeeding formula with this baby.

I'll check out the book you recommend(depending on who wrote it and how long ago, I may already have it) and this weekend if I can get into the attic, I'll hunt for my old, trusted avian books and proceeding from past seminars attended. I guess I was just being to lazy to hunt for it and did not find much information on the internet.

This pair of birds has been together for numerous years and seperating them is not an option. None of my pairs are set up at the present time for breeding but I guess that sometimes mother nature works in ways we don't understand.

Anyway, let me say again, thanks for your input and suggestions. I am very passionate about the type of care that I provide to my feathered and furkids and am always seeking to learn.