Trouble with 5 week old conure

[_Temptations_]

Hi I'm an experienced hand feeder but I came across a problem. This has never happened to me before. I have a 5 week old GCC that isn't taking formula OR eating any solid foods. I provide pellets (regular and soaked), corn, millet, mashed sweet potato, greens. I also still try to feed him 3 times a day but is only taking a few ccs. Can anyone help me figure out what the problem is? Any advice?

 

[QuackQuack]

Given the baby's age I'd fly right on into an avian vet office. Is it possible that he ingested something which is causing a blockage? Does his crop smell sour? Is there any additional information we could have? You could try adding peanut butter to the formula - that tends to make it like bird crack.

 

[_Temptations_]

His crop doesn't smell sour and the only thing I could think of that he might have ingested is pine shavings but I think it is unlikely. There was one point where I had some mashed banana mixed with formula and he ate that a little better than just formula alone. Do you think it's possible for him to be bored with the formula?

 

[cdog]

Its normal for a five week old to start refusing formula, that's what mine did it was scary. At five weeks they start to explore and would rather play than eat, so they loose weight which is what they need to do before they start to fly.

 

[_Temptations_]

Its normal for a five week old to start refusing formula, that's what mine did it was scary. At five weeks they start to explore and would rather play than eat, so they loose weight which is what they need to do before they start to fly.

I know they usually want to lose weight to fly but in my experience they are usually eating some solid foods at this point? Could be wrong. Every bird is different.

 

[cdog]

Every baby is different, mine were only picking at the food at that point, that's why I was so concerned when they were only taking 3cc. But everything turned out great for me.

 

[_Temptations_]

OK! Thanks I feel a little less worried now. I'll keep you posted

 

[Sulphiria]

Try organic baby food? Ive never raised babies, but they might be tempted with it.

 

[IcyWolf]

Keep offering him all of the new foods even if he doesn't seem to be eating them and try playing with the food in front of him, it may entice him to investigate more. Also, make sure you are keeping track of his weight every day. Its normal to loose weight but its a good idea to keep an eye on exactly how much weight he looses or gains. Also, what kind of formula are you using, there was justa huge kaytee recall, it was posted on here quit a few times.

 

[Pedro]

I'd be looking into a bacterial or fungal infection. The only other explanation could be if your feeding more than 3 feeds a day, he might be trying to tell you his little body is to tired to process so much food.

 

[_Temptations_]

Keep offering him all of the new foods even if he doesn't seem to be eating them and try playing with the food in front of him, it may entice him to investigate more. Also, make sure you are keeping track of his weight every day. Its normal to loose weight but its a good idea to keep an eye on exactly how much weight he looses or gains. Also, what kind of formula are you using, there was justa huge kaytee recall, it was posted on here quit a few times.

Thanks I'll try that & I am actually using kaytee but I've researched it and they give the number and expiration date of the bottles they recalled and I'm not using one of those bottles.