Question about a 6wk old grey

[KCHC8809]

I just bought an Timneh African Grey this past week. She's six weeks old, so she'll be staying at the store until she's weaned (I don't have any hand feeding experience, and feel more comfortable taking her home once she's weaned). I've been looking at baby African Grey pictures, and while they don't have feathers, they seem to have a "cotton ball" type of covering of the skin. My grey, when I held her at the store, had two completely bald spots at the top of her back. They were so bare, that I could not only see her skin, but her veins as well. Is this normal? Do not all African Grey's have that wool like feather undercoat? My concern is that they looked as though they had liquid in them, which allowed me to see the veins because the skin was stretched.

[Lisa B]

i know what your talking about. On the back of its neck, two areas that seem lighter and different. Thats normal. Your baby is still tiny and right bout the time where those bald spots should be filling in. I'll try to get pics or take pics of one of mine if they will allow it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHX-9gB9880
http://www.junglegoldlimited.com/ima...20grey%202.jpg

[KCHC8809]

Great, thanks! The second picture shows exactly what I was talking about. I would have taken him (they made a mistake at the store... it's a male instead of a female) home regardless, I'm just glad he's healthy and a typical baby!

[Lisa B]

yep, its completely normal. Once feathered in its not noticable. once a bird takes a bath, or is moulting you may see it again but not as much.

[steveo]

Hi Lisa,, I have some babys at present with the oldest 6 weeks old tomorrow. Do you have any growth weights recorded on baby CAG available.

[Lisa B]

hummmm, I dont personally..but let me see if I can get someone who would....

[Lisa B]

here ya go....from a friend...
Here's an approximate. it varies because CAG's are really vastly different in builds, sizes and weights. Some chicks are bigger, some not so much, but this is a loose/ gain chart. The minus indicates fledging time where weight will drop due to increased muscle gain and energy usage. Hope this helps!

2 weeks old 150 -200g
3 weeks old 200- 250g
4 weeks old 250- 350g
5 weeks old 350- 400g
6 weeks old 400- 450g
7 weeks old 450- 500g
8 weeks old 450- 500g
9 weeks old 450- 500g
10 weeks old (minus) 450 -500g
11 weeks old (minus) 450 -500g
12 weeks old - level weight

[Tom L.]

Congratulations on your new baby Timneh. You are doing right leaving the handfeeding to the experts. I did too and it made no difference in how bonded my guys are to me. You will love having a grey. They are the best. Keep us posted on how things develop as you get closer to bringing him home and then how he settles in.

Do you have a name for him yet? I recommend Tom.

[KCHC8809]

I'm glad to hear that the bonding isn't affected because I'm not handfeeding him.

At first, the store gave me the option on what sex I wanted (they had both at the time). I chose a girl for no particular reason. They gave me (what they thought) was the female, and over two weeks or so I grew pretty attached to her. Then they gave me the news that they accidently gave me the male bird instead of the female, and that I could exchange if I chose. Completely decided against it because the sex really made no difference to me. When I thought it was a girl, I chose the name Harlee. Now that it's a boy, I'm still choosing Harlee, but spelling it Harley (the Y makes it more masculine, in my opinion).

He's coming home late October/early November. I'll be sure to keep everyone posted on his transition.

[Lisa B]

...tom yer funny. Would you be honored if I call one of my fish Tom?


no, i dont believe handfeeding has anything to do with it. I did not hand feed any of my gang now, (well sydney as a comfort) and my friends can tell you just how well rounded and adjusted they are. In fact, a friend was over the other day, and Sydney just met her. He flew to her!
Emma I got at 9 months, well past handfeeding, and she is a doll to everyone!