How to Start Weaning a Baby Eclectus

[Amna]

Hello,
I noticed that Rudi, who has just turned two months old, seems ready for weaning, even though I feel she's still a bit young. Her feathers are almost fully grown, she's biting on toys, exploring with her beak, climbing around her enclosure, and trying to fly by flapping her wings. Lately, she hasn't been very interested in eating her formula as much as before. At first, I was worried she might be sick, but all her symptoms are fine, and she doesn't seem to have any other issues. Could this be because she wants to lose some weight to fly, or is it because she's naturally ready to start weaning?
I also offered her a piece of cucumber, and she loved it.

Can I start the weaning process with her now? If so, how should I begin, and what kinds of foods should I offer during this phase?

 

[DonnaBudgie]

When most of the heavy growing is done a baby parrot doesn't eat as much formula as it did when it was rapidly growing so don't worry. Babies have much larger crops than adults so as she matured she wont be able to eat as much in one sitting. Don't force her to eat any more than she wants. It's very easy to put more formula than she wants into her mouth snd choke her. Babies will lose some weight as their crop shrinks and they become m9re streamlined for flight.

I hope you encourage her to learn to fly. If a baby parrot doesn't learn to fly on a somewhat normal schedule they miss the opportunity and may never become good fliers.

Weaning is a process that can take weeks. Don't rush it. Start offering her an eclectus safe big bird diet (not my area of knowledge- ask your avian vet) to explore and taste. Have these foods available for her to graze on between formula feedings. They say not to let a baby parrot go to bed with an empty crop so offer her formula at bedtime.

Other members may have advice an an Ekkie appropriate diet. Quite a few members have Ekkies.

 

[Amna]

That helps a lot thank you!
But may i ask how can i encourage her to fly? I thout they learn flying by themselves

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I wondered about the same thing when I was raising my first baby budgie. How am I going to teach her to fly? Well, it didn't require any teaching on my part- she just took off one day!

It may be more difficult with bigger, heavier parrots. I had a lot of other budgies flying around the house for her to watch and I assume you don't have parrots flying around the room.
If you dont have any in house flying birds, I would show her lots of videos of flying parrots. I would also try to encourage her to come to you and stand a bit farther away as she gets the idea that she can use her wings. I wouldn't toss her into the air, but if she falls off the edge of a table let her flap her way to the ground so she sees what her wings can do.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I would NOT clip her wings unless there's a really good reason to do do and I can't think of one for a baby Ekkie. If a baby parrot doesn't learn to fly well at a young age they may never learn. Clipping a baby's wings makes learning difficult and she may give up trying.

 

[Amna]

I would NOT clip her wings unless there's a really good reason to do do and I can't think of one for a baby Ekkie. If a baby parrot doesn't learn to fly well at a young age they may never learn. Clipping a baby's wings makes learning difficult and she may give up trying.

I would never clip her wings or the wings of any bird, unless the bird is injured or has special needs. I believe birds were created to fly–why else would they have wings? I'll start letting her spend more time in larger spaces around the house so she can move freely and won't get hurt if she falls. I'll also do as you suggested and show her videos to learn since I don't have other birds around. If you have any other tips, I'd be very grateful!

 

[rheashard2]

I would never clip her wings or the wings of any bird, unless the bird is injured or has special needs. I believe birds were created to fly–why else would they have wings? I'll start letting her spend more time in larger spaces around the house so she can move freely and won't get hurt if she falls. I'll also do as you suggested and show her videos to learn since I don't have other birds around. If you have any other tips, I'd be very grateful!

I agree. Clipping used to be routinely recommended. Now it's discouraged especially for youngsters. If they don't learn to fly and especially land, they're at risk of crash injuries especially when older. The keel aka breast can become broken or damaged causing problems their entire life. Not to mention neck and head injuries. Plus birds are made to fly. A young bird gains confidence with flying. Later in life they may decide to fly all over the place. Then again they may be like my CAG who prefers to climb and walk about. While young consider training her to an avian harness. It's given me piece of mind. Lot's luck!

 

[Amna]

I agree. Clipping used to be routinely recommended. Now it's discouraged especially for youngsters. If they don't learn to fly and especially land, they're at risk of crash injuries especially when older. The keel aka breast can become broken or damaged causing problems their entire life. Not to mention neck and head injuries. Plus birds are made to fly. A young bird gains confidence with flying. Later in life they may decide to fly all over the place. Then again they may be like my CAG who prefers to climb and walk about. While young consider training her to an avian harness. It's given me piece of mind. Lot's luck!

I completely agree with you. I'm planning to train Rudi to wear a harness for flying and walking outside. The harness will definitely be the safest option for her, especially considering where I live. Thanks for the advice, and I really appreciate the luck!

 

[rheashard2]

I completely agree with you. I'm planning to train Rudi to wear a harness for flying and walking outside. The harness will definitely be the safest option for her, especially considering where I live. Thanks for the advice, and I really appreciate the luck!

Wait till she asks to go outside! Mine is asking and it's her normal day but it's cold outside (TX cold @ 61°) and breezy.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I'll take some Texas cold!

 

[TiredOldMan]

I'll take some Texas cold!

Yep you'd be running around in shorts and a tee shirt while I'm wrapped up in at least 3 layers.
All I can say is come on down!

 

[rheashard2]

At 60°, I had on tee shirt, hoodie, heavy winter coat, w heavy pants and thick socks. Heat in car on high! Below 50° I dig out my daughter's army jacket for artic wear geared for -35°. I don't believe in being too warm!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Here in Maine it may be cold outside but we don't skimp on indoor climate control. It's 72 indoors in the winter and summer.

 

[rheashard2]

Here in Maine it may be cold outside but we don't skimp on indoor climate control. It's 72 indoors in the winter and summer.

That's still to cool for me. Comfort temp is 82°. Air doesn't come on until 90° or if humidity in house above 50%. CAG room in summer kept 82° and 74 in winter. With several months of intermittent century mark temps, I'd go broke trying for temps 75°.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I have a very small house (800sf) and it's spray foam insulated so it holds its temperature very well. We don't own a TV so we have no cable bill. I cut my own hair and live in bib overalls and tee shirts. We don't eat out and never take trips except to visit my disabled mom in NJ. A couple hundred $$ more a month so we are comfortable year round is not going to break the bank.

 

[rheashard2]

I have a very small house (800sf) and it's spray foam insulated so it holds its temperature very well. We don't own a TV so we have no cable bill. I cut my own hair and live in bib overalls and tee shirts. We don't eat out and never take trips except to visit my disabled mom in NJ. A couple hundred $$ more a month so we are comfortable year round is not going to break the bank.

Good for you! I have to much wanderlust to consider that lifestyle! Been that way as long as I can remember. It's good you have a lifestyle that you enjoy.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

How do you travel with birds?

 

[rheashard2]

I have a carrier that has clear front. I add food dish with high water content fruits and veggies. Add a perch, strap seat belt around and away we go. I have a window shade for her window if needed. As long as she can look out windows she's happy. We listen to dramatized audio books. She has her harness on at all times. The harness is draped out of carrier and attached to a small dog retractable leash. That leash has a wrist strap attached to carrier. In case I need to open carrier for any reason. ( I am paranoid about fly aways.) Every time I stop for gas, I park and let her out, offer bottled water and pellets. The length of trip determines how long I stop. It also determines how many foraging, easy to destroy toys I take. All my carriers fit into large Wal-Mart reusable non insulated shopping bag. I put carrier in. It depends upon weather if I throw a towel over it. She's out of sight for general public. But she's close to me for observation and theft prevention if I need to leave car. I have a cage that folds up for when we get to destination. I am grateful she's not a macaw or one of larger Amazons! She likes going places. I think she's a people watcher. She studies them and especially listens. She'll repeat phrases or words picked up here and there, complete w accent. We go to Petsmart every few months or so. She's so comfortable with that store that she talks to total strangers! I do this so she doesn't know if the trip will end at the dreaded vets office! Written out this looks like a lot of work. But I have everything ready. I can be out of house w her in a leisurely 30 minutes. 10 min or less if I've gotten side tracked or forgotten about vet appointment!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

That's great! When we drive 8 hours to visit my mom we have been taking a budgie with us for the past 8 months. I've raised two babies since last summer so we take the youngest bird. Definity if theyre not weaned yet but even if they are but not 100% integrated into the flock and still has their own cage. I can't bear to leave even a weaned baby alone for more than one night. Our youngest budgie, Joey, has taken many road trips with us and sits on my shoulder while my husband drives. We're taking her to NJ this week for another family visit. The rest of my flock has a bird sitter who comes twice a day. She's real quiet when we have to sneak her cage into hotel rooms.