weaning

[birdiemama]

Hello everybody,
My baby conure is thriving! I've been hand-feeding birdie formula for about two weeks, and the bird is about 7 to 7-1/2 weeks old. I've already been through being told about obtaining an unweaned bird and am angry that I was sold one - especially being inexperienced. Be that as it may, the baby is mine and doing well. I have learned his little 'hungry sqwak' sound and he is familiar with the feeding ritual.

He still wants formula three times a day. I have fresh water, millet spray and fresh chop also in his cage, and he has been exploring it all. I have decided to let the bird decide when to stop the formula and want to know if that is a good thing? Or is is a good thing to reduce to feeding twice a day so he depends more on the fresh chop and millet? Sometimes he doesn't eat as much during the feedings and lets me know when he is done and doesn't want anymore. I say ok! I guess my question really is will the bird eventually wean himself? I have heard that sometimes even after having been weaned they still like that birdie formula. If that is true, is it a bad thing to continue letting the bird have the formula? So many questions! Anyway, thanks for any input.

 

[wrench13]

Its called abundance weaning, and is the best way to do it. Let the chick decide. And yeah some like that hit of formula every now and then, nothing wrng with it. I still offer it once in awhile to my 6 yr old Amazon. Its good to do that in case you need to get medicine in them - you know they are actually getting in thier system.

 

[birdiemama]

I still offer it once in awhile to my 6 yr old Amazon. Its good to do that in case you need to get medicine in them - you know they are actually getting in thier system.

Good to know. Question...does it still need to be warmed up and checked with a thermometer when the bird is older?

 

[charmedbyekkie]

I still offer it once in awhile to my 6 yr old Amazon. Its good to do that in case you need to get medicine in them - you know they are actually getting in thier system.

Good to know. Question...does it still need to be warmed up and checked with a thermometer when the bird is older?

Yes, 100% you still need to check.

Just because a bird is older doesn't mean they can't get crop burn. Just like how I burnt my tongue the other day on hot coffee should think I'm old enough to know better.....

 

[noodles123]

This talks about temperatures etc:
http://www.parrotforums.com/breeding-raising-parrots/74363-so-you-bought-unweaned-baby.html
abundance weaning is good---that is what all people should do when they wean birds.

 

[fairytalebliss]

Hello everyone
I’m new to the forum and new to owning a Sun Conure, and i named him Skittles . I purchased mine from a breeder a month ago BUT i still have yet to bring skittles home. He/she was born November 1st and the breeder says he is still weaning. As of today skittles is 4 mo and 8 days old. How long does it take to wean a baby Sun Conure? I’ve done a lot of research and they say anywhere from 6 wks to 10 weeks, can someone please explain to me why it is taking 19 going on 20 weeks? I bought a BABY for the intention of raising it the way i want, i understand it takes some time to wean them, and they go at their own pace but 19/20 weeks? Am i just being to impatient to bring my baby home?

 

[Saash]

I am weaning an eclectus female. She is 12 weeks now.

She is at a point that she refuses formula, but won't eat independently all the time, she wants me to hand feed her solid foods, which I usually mush her chop with a bit of formula, so I can spoon it up and it goes down smoothly. She pumps vigorously- but, no way is she fully weaned to eat independently. I spoon her at least half of breakfast and dinner, then she will eat the rest out the bowl herself. She needs a lot of babying still.

Each bird is individual. A good breeder is unlikely to let a chick go until its off formula completely for 10 days.

On reducing food to encourage the bird to eat solids, no. Your chick will gradually turn down formula. If solid food is available it will start exploring that. Its not an overnight or one-size-fits-all scenario. A hungry bird just screams. It doesn't go around looking for food if it is expecting formula.