My baby b/g macaw

[mlhoward69]

My baby b/g macaw diffiiculty eating

We've had him for a few weeks now. It seems like we have to force feed him each and every time. Its very exhausting and frustrating for us both. He's still on 3 hand feedings and fiddling in his seeds and pellets. I'm worried that he's not eating enough.
I've tried the spoon and syringe. He seems to gag, spit up and try to run away. His Crop gets full - but not without forcing it. I've looked at some you tube videos and everyone seems to make it look so easy. I even went back to the breeder where he doesn't have much problem either. Perhaps he don't like the frozen then defrosted formula.
Someone please help me.

 

[Bobby34231]

I've never heard of freezing and defrosting formula, it should be mixed fresh, served at about 104-107 degrees and the unused portion discarded, the breeder should have never allowed you to handfeed yourself without having experience, and once he found out you were having problems when you brought him back, and finding the bird had no problem eating for him should have finished handfeeding for you until the bird was weaned, unless I'm missing something I don't understand why you are the one handfeeding and not the breeder, other than price, there is no real advantage for you to take the risk of putting the bird in danger.

 

[mlhoward69]

They said it was special bonding time. Once the macaw gets to be about 3 months old they start to want to wean. He is so precious with play time and learning tricks. Its just so emotional when it comes to feeding. The breeder pre-mixes the formula and I buy them by the week. Perhaps this is a way they make extra money. It is very expensive - about $30 a week.
It wasn't because of price. The price is in line with what I've found from other breeders. Perhaps I should ask the breeder to do the feedings. I don't want to stress him or myself out.

 

[greycloud]

Oh dear! Your breeder is charging you for you handfeeding your own bird! Not good! Where are you located? Formula should never, ever be frozen. Mixed fresh and discarded unused portion. Always. How warm is the formula? How old is baby? What is he kept in as a brooder? All important questions. We can help better with more info.

 

[mlhoward69]

I'm in florida. I warm it up to about 105-108. He just turned 3 months old. Not sure what a brooder is. Perhaps that might be the problem. When I took him back to the breeder he hand mixed up the formula there. In order to secure my 5 yr guarantee I was asked to buy all the food from them. Including seed and pellets after weened. I have introduced him to fresh fruit, nuts, pellets and seeds. He just seems to play with them (not sure how much is being eaten).
I'm concerned for his well being - don't think i'll take him back/trade for another bird. But don't really know if I can do this.

 

[Bobby34231]

sigh...........think I already figured out where you bought the bird, baby exotic birds, Englewood?

 

[greycloud]

Yeah! I think so too.
I PM'd you!

 

[Bobby34231]

I must have scared him off, sorry about that, I think I'm only about 15-20 miles away, if I can help let me know

 

[wildheart]

Here is a thread that I posted about babies that can help you, it is from an article that I found. It explains why a brooder is important, feeding too much or too little etc.

General Health Care - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

 

[greycloud]

Great pics and adorable baby!! It is good that the perch is low. However, PVC is very slippery. I recommend you get some vet wrap to wrap around it and also to thicken the diameter of it some. Baby is leaning back to try and keep his balance. No need for a brooder at this age, but I do recommend you keep a light on 1/2 of the cage for warmth. At this stage baby should be introduced to many new foods. Soak pellets in warm juice and handfeed or place in a low bowl. Chop up fresh fruits, veggies, brown rice and mashed sweet potato, add a little cinnamon to the mix to entice. Start by serving warm. Drop a few plain cheerios here and there in his cage so he can test their texture. As baby approaches the fledging age their appetite decreases. This is normal and does not mean they are weaned. Their appetite picks back up after learning to fly. It is important to not clip baby until he has mastered flying. It builds confidence, strength, muscle and coordination.
I recommend you place toys in his cage. Foot toys are especially important at this age. Let me know if you have anymore questions. What is his name?
*IN addition, I highly recommend that you have your baby seen by an Avian vet ASAP. Just to make sure their is no infection or yeast in the crop. Also it is important to have bloodwork done at this age.