I got a Baby blue Indian Ringneck about 5 days ago, so far it's been a learning experience. Right now he's about 4 and a half weeks old and I'm wondering why ever time I try pet or stroke him he tries to nibble on whatever he can get too. The person I bought the bird from has been breeding and selling for upwards of 30 years and he said he's just checking things out.
My baby Ringneck
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roxynoodle
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Congrats on your new baby. That is how birds learn about things is by beaking them.
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By vibrating his head sorta, and thank you
I got a lot of learning to do but I am ready, hopefully. Is there anything else I should look for that he does? And how old do they start weening, I don't think I'm ready for that!roxynoodle
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Ringnecks aren't really my area of expertise, but hopefully someone will be along soon to answer for you.
My Blue Crown conure took 3 months to be completely weaned. She was the only one of my birds that came from a breeder. My other conure was in a pet store for a few months, and my other 2 birds were adopted by me recently, as older birds. Prior to them I had only budgies, all of whom came from pet stores already weaned as well.
So I can guess about 3 months on the weaning as a Blue Crown and an IRN are about the same size.
My Blue Crown conure took 3 months to be completely weaned. She was the only one of my birds that came from a breeder. My other conure was in a pet store for a few months, and my other 2 birds were adopted by me recently, as older birds. Prior to them I had only budgies, all of whom came from pet stores already weaned as well.
So I can guess about 3 months on the weaning as a Blue Crown and an IRN are about the same size.
Pedro
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Marty, considering his age i would say the head movements would be a feed resopnse. All baby parrots of that age do the same thing. As weaning goes that will depend on your bird but usually he/she would be about 10 to 12 weeks before being independent. But don't rush him let him wean at his own pace. You just offer all the soft weaning foods. he will require.
Offer food at different parts of the cage or place where it is easy for the bird to see and get to. Millet spray, apples, corn, greens as in peas, beans & leafy green veg. For a while the chick may pull and nibble and not eat much at all, then all of a sudden it happens. The chicks will still beg for you to feed, keep in mind you should be still feeding them 3 times a day at this point. Once you see they are getting the idea and food is being eaten, you can lower the feeds to 2 times daily until they have got the idea to do it on their own. Weaning parrots can take from 2 weeks to 2 months depending on size. I also soak and sprout seed for the young I found it helps them to get the idea on how to hull the seeds, as they are a lot softer to eat.
Offer food at different parts of the cage or place where it is easy for the bird to see and get to. Millet spray, apples, corn, greens as in peas, beans & leafy green veg. For a while the chick may pull and nibble and not eat much at all, then all of a sudden it happens. The chicks will still beg for you to feed, keep in mind you should be still feeding them 3 times a day at this point. Once you see they are getting the idea and food is being eaten, you can lower the feeds to 2 times daily until they have got the idea to do it on their own. Weaning parrots can take from 2 weeks to 2 months depending on size. I also soak and sprout seed for the young I found it helps them to get the idea on how to hull the seeds, as they are a lot softer to eat.
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Also, it's probably way to early for me to try to ween him, but I did put an apple slice in his cage hopefully it won't hurt anything. The little goober keeps digging and throwing bed pellets in his bowl!
He'll eat it if I hold this slice but he hasn't touched it by himself yet.
He'll eat it if I hold this slice but he hasn't touched it by himself yet.
roxynoodle
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Marty, PM Pedro or MikeyTN. Pedro is in Australia though so give her time to answer. It is kind of early morning there and she has babies to feed and other birds as well.
Pedro
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Marty what the heck are you giving him to eat, is he in a cage yet. Are you sure your bird is 4 & a half weeks old. Please tell me exactly what you are feeding, how you prepear his food. And what you are giving him as a weaning food. This bird won't be weaned until at least 12 weeks old.
If your bird is indeed only a month or so old, he either has been eating the bedding or he has sour crop. The best way with either is to clear the crop & it is best done by a Vet. If the crop isn't cleared he will get weak & die. This is an emergency.
If your bird is indeed only a month or so old, he either has been eating the bedding or he has sour crop. The best way with either is to clear the crop & it is best done by a Vet. If the crop isn't cleared he will get weak & die. This is an emergency.
roxynoodle
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At only 4.5 weeks old, I don't think you should be letting him eat anything but formula right now. Pedro will correct me if I'm wrong about that.
roxynoodle
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At about 6 weeks you can probably start introducing pellets and fruit cut into little pieces. Pedro will be back to help I'm sure she will answer any questions you have. I'm not a breeder though, and haven't ever brought home an unweaned baby so I'm definitely not an expert at this. But, I've seen the 6 week figure listed for some other babies, like conures, as for when to start leaving other foods out for them to sample. And even at that age, I would have to think they still need about 3 formula feeds a day, like every 8 hours it looks like.
Write a post now with which questions you need her to answer, and she will.
I'm sure she will answer any questions you have. I'm not a breeder though, and haven't ever brought home an unweaned baby so I'm definitely not an expert at this. But, I've seen the 6 week figure listed for some other babies, like conures, as for when to start leaving other foods out for them to sample. And even at that age, I would have to think they still need about 3 formula feeds a day, like every 8 hours it looks like.Write a post now with which questions you need her to answer, and she will.
roxynoodle
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He is so young I think you should definitely go back to 3 hand feedings a day, and not give him other foods yet.
Pedro
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The Science of Handfeeding and Weaning the Baby Parrot SECTION 2 The Parrot University
Baby Bird Weaning Tips
Marty here are some links for you to read through I am unclear on what your doing with your baby & what your actually doing. At 4 to 5 weeks i would think he still has heaps of pin feathers. Can you post a picture of him please.
With my birds they are usually on 3 feeds of formula a day at 4 to 5 weeks old. I just reduce the feeds & volumes fed as the bird grows & fledges. When your reducing the formula you have to offer a variety of soft weaning foods to encourage him to eat on his own. Some do wean early but not until around 8 weeks old.
Baby Bird Weaning Tips
Marty here are some links for you to read through I am unclear on what your doing with your baby & what your actually doing. At 4 to 5 weeks i would think he still has heaps of pin feathers. Can you post a picture of him please.
With my birds they are usually on 3 feeds of formula a day at 4 to 5 weeks old. I just reduce the feeds & volumes fed as the bird grows & fledges. When your reducing the formula you have to offer a variety of soft weaning foods to encourage him to eat on his own. Some do wean early but not until around 8 weeks old.
Shawchert
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ok I just have to say.... CUTEEEE!! Sorry I don't have advice but this must be said :3
Pedro
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Hi Marty thanks for the pic (cute) gives me a better idea on how to advise you.
Yes 3 feeds of formula a day. He is way to young to start weaning IMO. You must fill the crop until it's firm but not over filled. Your little bub should eat at least 25 to 30 mls each feed.
He won't fledge (start to fly) until he is at least 7 weeks old. That is the usual time i start to wean a ringneck.
Follow the directions in the links i posted hopefully they are helping you.
Yes 3 feeds of formula a day. He is way to young to start weaning IMO. You must fill the crop until it's firm but not over filled. Your little bub should eat at least 25 to 30 mls each feed.
He won't fledge (start to fly) until he is at least 7 weeks old. That is the usual time i start to wean a ringneck.
Follow the directions in the links i posted hopefully they are helping you.
thebirdnerd
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Are you absolutely sure of his age? 4 1/2 weeks is still very young and the bird would not be completely feathered and wouldn't be able to perch. He should be fed 3-4x formula and I would be surprised if he would be eating any solid food at all.
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