Baby Blue and Gold question

[Zerocool]

I have been here for a couple months. This is my first time posting. I am kind of curious on the information that I am receiving from the breeder. My macaw doesn't mind being touch, head scratched, or wings lifted, but he hates being lifted up and he won't step up. I placed him outside of his cage and he just goes right back in. The breeder says not to let him just stay and the cage and take him out. I have been doing that but now he is biting. I don't want this to be a pattern. What should I do? Keep taking him out of the cage even if he bites? I have had him for 3 days now. He is 3 1/2 months Old

 

[OldmanDiscarded]

I have been here for a couple months. This is my first time posting. I am kind of curious on the information that I am receiving from the breeder. My macaw doesn't mind being touch, head scratched, or wings lifted, but he hates being lifted up and he won't step up. I placed him outside of his cage and he just goes right back in. The breeder says not to let him just stay and the cage and take him out. I have been doing that but now he is biting. I don't want this to be a pattern. What should I do? Keep taking him out of the cage even if he bites? I have had him for 3 days now. He is 3 1/2 months Old

First time posting here myself :59:

Three and half months old is a little on the young side and I am wondering if your birds age is part of the problem. Is the Macaw fully weened? By that I mean is the bird eating healthy amounts of pellets, fruits and veggies? I have a 9 month old Blue and Gold Macaw and I did not receive her from the breeder until she was 5 months old. I would not have received her at 5 months had it not been for the fact I had previous hand weening experience. Just to add to this the breeder made me prove to him that I was capable of hand weening by making me hand feed my bird in front of him. My Macaw was not fully weened until 6 months old. Some Macaws can take longer than that to ween. Your bird could be wanting his crop formula. Check with the breeder to find out what he/she was feeding him on and it might be a good idea to get a 100ml syringe or a spoon (messier with a spoon) and hand feed. Lots of videos on Youtube on the subject but be careful! You can hurt your bird severely if you do it wrong.

Are you weighing your bird? If you're not then please start. I know its awkward etc but one of the signs of illness is sudden weight loss. Have you taken the bird to an avian vet for a check up?

As for the biting, I go by the birds bite for a reason thinking. I'd say your bird might be a little scared of you or someone else in your home. It may also be biting because its ill and doesn't feel like socializing with you. As mentioned earlier it could be biting because its hungry.

I guess what I am saying is if you have not already then please take your bird to an avian vet for a check up.

Anyway I do apologize if I come over as rambling a little lol. I have been a parrot owner for many years and I assure you a healthy well socialized Macaw is a treasure to own and will show you much affection. Hope the above helps.

 

[SilverSage]

I agree; a "weaned" macaw at that age was almost certainly force weaned; even small birds like IRNs aren't always reliably abundance weaned at that age. I have multiple friend with young blue and golds right now, and they all took between 6-12 months to fully wean. Force weaning leads to extremely insecure and fearful birdies which is probably the foundation of your biting problem. Please read up on proper hand feeding, feeding safety, and the importance of temperature. Find out the brand of formula your baby was on and whether he was using a spoon or a syringe and start offering at minimum morning and evening feedings.


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[itzjbean]

I'm agreeing with the other advice listed, this baby is very young, probably force weaned, and so you need to stop what you are doing and work at this bird's level. You have had him/her for 3 days, and it is not wanting to come out of its cage. Okay, let's start there.

Instead of grabbing the bird and trying to take him back out, allow the bird to stay in his cage for however long he wants. Keep the door open, and let your new bird come out on his own. It may take hours, or even days, but allow the bird to venture out on his own. This is very important. You should not be forcing this bird to do anything it doesn't want to. What are you feeding him currently? I love macaws, especially baby ones! Would love to see a picture!

 

[Zerocool]

Thank you for all your responses! I have slowed down working with him. I only let him come out of his cage when he chooses to step up. He has done real well and the biting has subsided quite A bit. He is out of his cage right now. He is very very beaky though. I told the breeder when I purchased him that I wanted a fully weaned bird so that's probably my fault. He does eat pellets and fruits and vegetables. I fill his bowl half way each day and it's gone with little waste on the floor of his cage. I will buy a scale to be absolutely certain that he is gaining weight. Thank you again.

 

[SilverSage]

The hand feeding is REALLY IMPORTANT to his mental and emotional health. I know it isn't convenient but please do start the feedings again.


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[happy410]

We brought our B&G home at 4 1/2 months old. He was fully weaned but there were some days when I felt like he was hungry. You can try cooking him some oatmeal and spoon feed it to him. He also enjoyed a scrambled egg every so often.

 

[Zerocool]

Here is a picture!

 

[happy410]

He's a cutie. Enjoy those dark baby eyes because they change so fast.

 

[wrench13]

That is one cute, happy looking Macaw!

 

[OldmanDiscarded]

Here is a picture!

Something you could try is some soft scrambled eggs on a spoon. All my birds love that treat but my B&G loves it the most.

 

[marxxx]

As far as food on a spoon you could always make a nice smoothie and spoon feed that.
Something like mixed greens (kale, spinach, etc) blended up with mixed fruit. You can also add some nuts to increase the fat content.
It's quite tasty and I'm guessing your little guy would like it.

Also, a little natural peanut butter on a spoon is a favorite to (though not as good for the bird as a smoothie).

 

[EllenD]

Agreed, your baby macaw was absolutely force-weaned and as a result is scared to death, still wants hand-feedings, and basically is very insecure right now and has no idea what is happening to him. And trust me, this is not at all your fault because you told the breeder you wanted a weaned bird. The breeder should have told you that you could have him when he was weaned, and that it typically takes 6+ months. I'm assuming you didn't look at any other macaw breeders or do any research about the typical age of weaned macaw babies? I'm not saying this to be mean, rather to try to get you to do some research about how important the hand-feedings are to the development of your bird's personality. I mean, he would still be getting feedings from his mother out in the wild, and this is what he needs. It will stop the biting, you will earn his trust, and this will allow you to properly bond and begin to train him to do things like stepping up. I cannot stress enough how much comfort that little baby bird will get from you starting his hand feedings.

"Dance like nobody's watching..."

 

[Zerocool]

Thank you! I have purchased formula and some syringes. I was sold on the idea of hand feeding him again once I seen how fearful he is of everything. Hopefully he will calm down a little and not be so scared. It really does suck that he will be fine and then for no reason just clampdown hard on my hand, neck, arm, you name it. It could be for any reason. He's happy then shaking scared with something as small as my wife walking in the room and she is home with him all day. Thank you all so much again!!

 

[SilverSage]

Please be sure you get a good confection thermometer, temperature is crucial.


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[EllenD]

Yes, if you have any questions about hand feeding, mixing the formula, getting the formula temperature correct, anything, please just ask!

"Dance like nobody's watching..."

 

[Luckyandjenn]

O my blob im kinda jelly i missed out on luckys child / baby hood lolz very cute little b and g you have there as far as him being beaky/ mouthy im pretty sure most macs are but that my 2 cents and ive only been luckys chosen person for like five mounths and only had him seven so i may be wrong lol anwyas just wanted to welcome you to the flock