Switching from Formula to Pellets

[Davidcsky]

Hi guys,

Currenlty I'm trying to wean off formula my B&G Oliver to pellets. He's 4 and a half months old and still seems to be overly willing to be fed off the syringe. What are your ways to move your Mac off the formula? Currently, he's on 2days off and the third on formula to try and gradually make him move off formula to his pellets. He eats pellets but he gets overly excited and easily distracted from food.

He's been fed on Zuupreem formula and as pellets I use roudybush, any suggestions/ways you've found effective? I'm not willing to rush things but I wish to do things right

Thanks.

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

It's a slow process, but pellet should be introduced along with all the other whole foods the baby is weaning onto. Maybe mix it in with cheerios or something. A lot of ideas out there.

 

[SilverSage]

4 and a half months is very young for weaning a Big Mac. Also, the process you are describing is called force weaning, which is very damaging to your bird. Please bring back feelings at least twice a day until he starts refusing, then move down to one, and continue offering formula until he refuses for a week straight. Trying to take away his formula like this shakes his confidence and will actually cause him to be more timid, more prone to biting, and a much pickier eater, among other complications. The process I am describing is called abundance weaning which is the humane and smart way to go. Keep offering the formula, like I said, but also offer a wide variety of other foods; fresh veggies and fruits, sprouts, whole grains, pellets, nuts, etc. I know macaws who haven't weaned until after 6 months. The fact that you have been trying to force him may cause him to regress and take Ben longer to wean than he would have originally.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Please don't just cut off the formula for 2 straight days. It's a common misconception that a baby bird will eat if hungry enough. IME it's quite the opposite. Instead of cutting him off, feed him a tad less than you normally would, and then immediately offer him some warm, soft foods. Of course you can add a bowl with pellets as well.

Weighing Oliver regularly and keeping track of his weight is important.

You can try to moisten the pellets you want him to eat, but remember to discard uneaten ones after a few hours since they will go bad rather quickly once wet.

A bit more information would help us, too. How long has Oliver been with you? Was he ever introduced to anything other than formula and pellets?

A varied diet is best.

Here are some recipes I cook for my own birds (and yes, I have 2 big macs that go crazy over those recipes)
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-food-recipes-diet/22594-cook-portion-freeze-my-recipe.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-food-recipes-diet/28298-my-birdie-bread-macs-love-these.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-food-recipes-diet/34185-slop-chop-mix-ala-wendy-s-kitchen.html

Cheerios may be given in VERY small amounts as the iron content is really much too high for our companion parrots.

Please be patient with your baby. He WILL wean, I promise. Some take longer than others.

 

[Davidcsky]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the heads up.

He's been home for over a month now and still going strong. he eats all sorts of stuff from fruit to veggies and i am not truly worried about him being off his formula for 2 days, as i see no significant changes in neither his dropping nor his behavior, i can tell he eats pellets as well, but the way i see him is that he gets distracted off food once someone is around. Two days ago i walked into him whilst he was stuffing himself with pellets, with the excitement, he raised his head and squawked at the same time and i could see this pellet he was indulging on flying from his mouth.

anyways, i will try and go with your "idea" and feed a little bit of formula daily until he starts refusing.

Thanks for your help guys

 

[Doublete]

I would trust both of them and not doubt their very knowledgable advice.

Also if you google abundance weaning versus force weaning you'll see what they're talking about.
Good luck with your baby.

 

[SilverSage]

I understand that he may still be eating his other food, but the two days without and one day with is very confusing for him and not healthy for his mind. I'm not just pulling "ideas" out of the air, I'm trying to simplify and present a whole lot of research in an easy form. Force weaning is highly damaging, and actually cruel, though I'm sure that is not your intention and you care about him very much. The suggestion of moistening warm food is also wise, and I assume you are already weighing him regularly since that is important for responsible and safe hand feeding.

 

[Davidcsky]

Hi SilverSage,
when i said "ideas" i was in no way trying to imply it was simply something you just made up, i am sorry if i posted it that way, it was not what i meant.

actually i want to thank you and all who have contributed. in my ignorance i thought i was doing the right thing but actually what you said holds 100%.

thanks once again,

i am back to feeding once daily, i am feeding a little less than what he would like and after that straight to his cage so that he can carry on with his pellets. today i gave him as well a mix of bananas, chillies and carrots and he was quite happy munching them. i think we're close to finish weaning but i won't rush anything. here's oliver saying hi (actually it was shot a couple of days ago )

 

[SilverSage]

I'm glad he is doing well; and you are doing the right thing for him