well, I brought carmen down to the bird store yesturday to weigh in and because shes been fighting me when eating, they did a culture to check for bacteria. Shes right on target weight wise and went for an outing to the nature center yesturday and absolutley loved the outdoors and attention she got from everyone.

I got the results back from the tests today and it turns out she has developed some sort of bacteria. They are running another test on the culture to determine what type of medicine I need for her and I'll pick it up tomorow. I flipped out. The people at the store told me to relax because its not uncommon in babys and its nothing that I did wrong. They said she looks great and its not that big a deal as loing and the meds should clear it right up and help her to want to eat easier.

I'm still a little upset over it, but I wanted to know if this makes any sence to anyone? any experiece, strength, or hope would be nice...

I'm glad you got her checked because it's quite unusual for a baby on two feedings to fight the feeding. Again...it's why unweaned babies should never be sold. IMO.

Not to give you the third degree but are you sure you didnt feed too hot? Usually you hear of them fighting off food when they have crop burn or pain.....unless you mean she wont bob or turns away and that is likely a temperature problem. I had a Military who wouldnt eat a THING under a hair under 105 and made me a nervous wreck.

It's not uncommon to get a bacteria, but that doesn't make it "ok" really. no offense! But somebody did SOMETHING either at the store or at the house.

...It can be a combination of things, the handfeeding husbandry/techniques combined with her stress of having to leave her flock and go to a new place. Stress of perhaps different hours, sleep schedule etc. And being with all different birds. It lowers the immune system and brings out opportunistic bacteria/illnesses.

She's also quaranteened in a room alone, too, right? So that's very stressful for her, IMO.

I would consider letting them wean her as Kathie said. It's hard to feed a baby bird especially when you work and she is unfamiliar to you. And she's not anywhere near ready to wean if she's on two feedings.....and I think it's too isolating to have a baby stuck in a room all the time alone, too. Sorry.

Unless you're really an experienced handfeeder and feel this was a fluke.

Thank you for taking such good care of her and getting her checked properly. It makes all the difference. I know you would have done anything possible to not have had this happen.

Speak with your doctor ..I wouldn't just do whatever a bird store told me....about the test results and about probiotics for the time she's on the antibiotics. AND if she's even on the right antibiotics. OR speak to their doctor if they are using one. Alot of breeders test and diagnose themselves though...I think the stores around here would all have referred you to a vet initially.

I'd also recommend you have an experienced handfeeder watch you prepare the food and feed her start to finish and after ...just to be safe.

I just posted on your photo thread that it could be as "simple" as her picking the teeth of humans.

But review it all with your vet, usually a culture takes longer than 24 hours, too.

thank you so much for the advice and suggestions.. to answer some of your qustions, This is by all means not the first time I've handfed a baby, so yes I'm sure the formula was not too hot or cold and every thing I use is def. clean. The store has a feeling she developed it before she came home because shes been fighting me since the first time I fed her here at home. They do have a vet that they use, so I will talk to him in the morning, again thank you.

Ahhh....yep that's more like it, if she wasnt good from the beginning with you. Poor guy you were afraid she didnt love you I remember that.

I'm sure she'll be fine, just stay in touch with the doc and get a scale since you dont wanna be dragging her out for now. (no baths either!)

Take care....and remember to get a probiotic...

I am sorry to hear that she isn't well Josh, I hope the meds clear it up fast. How long does a course of meds for a bac infection last? I mean how long does she have to take them for? I haven't had to give meds yet so am curious.

They tell me a week, then anouther culture to see if its gone yet.

My thoughts are with you and the new one......... I do hope things turn out well......... and that the meds work........ like they are supposed toooo.....

josh I hope you get the infection cleared up quickly.

Well, I know I have to stop worrying and just start thje medicatin and hope everythings ok, but I've been sitting here observing her behavior. Shes perching, climbing, playing, and honking like an adorable baby. I gave her a toy today which was partly made of cherios and it apears that she devoured ate the cherios off of it. The fact that shes playful; and apears happy, is this normal with a bacterial thing? Or can this just mean the infection isnt that bad and mabe will clear up easily?