Darwin - Week 3

[Mgridgaway]

Hey all!

Just wanted to give you all a quick update on Darwin along with a new picture. This past week I had a minor scare when I noticed Darwin's eyes were always watery. I ruled out an RI because he didn't have any difficulty breathing, and after doing a double check of his environment I decided his must have somehow become dehydrated. I'm not entirely sure how this happened other than a climate change after I introduced a CHE to combat the fall weather.

At any rate, I tried all manner of soaks but he didn't really seem to take to them. What DID work, however, was baby food. I bought him some baby tender carrot mush and he went crazy for it. And since it didn't have any preservatives in it (there were two ingredients: carrots, water), I felt safe feeding it to him. After two days he's already perked back up to his usual self (today I made him a homemade baby food mush of butternut squash with just a little bit of snow peas) and his watery eyes are almost back to normal.

And now what you've all been waiting for... picture time!

 

[ascott]

so pretty

 

[tyler0912]

What a cute fella,
Glad to hear he is doing well!

 

[Redstrike]

I said it before, that is one nice looking RF you have there!

I suspected my two RF's were not too cognizant of where they could get water, and they absolutely despise soaks, so I decided to make them aware. Every day for about a week, I placed each of them in their water dishes prior to feeding. I think having to navigate out of the water dish to the food imprinted the water location in their wee little brains, because they actively seek both water dishes and drink now. I still give them a soak once-twice a week, but they really don't cooperate. Hatchlings are darn cute, but not too bright...

Lastly, you might want to pick up some Terramycin opthalmic ointment in case any other eye issues come up. Mine had some issues when I first got them because my habitat was too hot and not humid enough. Maybe you already have some...but it's worth bagging some if you don't. You can get it on Amazon or most livestock/feed stores (tractor supply, blue seal, etc.) for ~$15. Shelf life is short (~1 year), but I like to have things on hand so when stuff pops up, I'm one step ahead of it. Povidone Iodine is good too for shell rot and minor abrasions (1 treatment).

Okay, probably way more than you needed! Enjoy that gorgeous redfoot, what a head turner!

 

[Mgridgaway]

I'll have to try this water trick! I typically give Darwin a soak after he's just eaten so that he'll defecate (he'll almost always do it right after he eats anyway... this just makes it a bit more clean), but I'll try it the other way around. I've seen him in the dish before, but he never seems terribly enthralled with it.

Terramycin was my next plan, but since he's looking much better I'm going to hold off. There's a Tractor Supply less than a mile down the road so I'll have no problem getting some if necessary.

Glad you all enjoy my little guy!

 

[laramie]

Darwin so very cute! Great name too.

 

[DesertGrandma]

Darwin has the most beautiful colors. What a cute little guy.

 

[Stephanie]

Darwin is such a cutie!

 

[Torty Mom]

He is a colorful little tortie!!! SOOOOOO cute!!!!

 

[Momof4]

Glad to hear he's doing better!! He is a cutie!

 

[l0velesly]

Aw, Darwin's cute!