Weaning a yellow nape

[hyeteck]

hi,

i have a yellow nape amazon that is 10 weeks old. I got him when he was 6 weeks old and was initially feeding him 30 ccs, 3 times a day. He doesn't seem to like the formula anymore and is barely eating 10 ccs, 3 times a day.

I've been giving him broccoli and grapes which he seems to like, along with his formula. His weight was rising but has leveled off for a week now, at 376 grams. Should i stop feeding him the formula or drop it down to maybe once a day?

He loves his broccoli, grapes, cherry's and bananas. I can't get him to eat any seeds though.

I have an 8 year old african grey but can't remember exactly how old he was when I stopped feeding him his formula.

thanks

[Sashagirl]

It's been a while since I handfeed and weaned an Amazon but I have a question for you.Are you making sure that the formula is the right temperature because if it isn't a baby will refuse the formula too.That's very important that it's also fresh.I wouldn't stop or cut back it's feedings until it is
actually time to wean.There used to be a book available called Handfeeding baby birds.I'm not sure who wrote it.I hope this was of some help to you.

Marcia

[hyeteck]

The temperature of the formula is about 105 F. This is the recommended temp written in the instructions on the back of the label for the formula.

[Willow]

My girls didn't stop taking formula until they were about 6 months old. They were eating other foods well but were still taking formula and I continued to offer it as long as they would take it.

You really don't want your amazon eating seeds anyway. I don't know where you are located but if in the usa you can order organic pellets from 100% Certified Organic Bird Food - Nature's Choice Essentials 100% Certified Organic Bird Food My amazons love the spicer's blend!

[PenelopeGem]

Congratulations on your baby Yellow Nape! When I have weaned baby amazons, it has usually taken three and a half to four months.

I believe in abundance weaning, so while the baby is still handfeeding, I start to offer soft foods and pellets. The soft foods can consist of fruits, and vegies. Soft foods such as apples, oranges, grapes, banana, mango and papaya are examples of what I might use. Cooked sweet potato is a very good weaning food, and corn is also. Baby birds seem to like those frozen mixed vegetables that consist of little square carrots, corn, peas, lima beans, and green beans. I put them in a strainer, and run hot water over them to thaw them out, and warm them, then serve. Your baby is already eating broccoli, and some fruits, so that is very good. You can, also, make up a cooked bean and grain mix to add to the fruit and vegie mixture, and you can mix pellets in with that, also. While the baby is learning to eat, it will start to be less interested in being handfed. The mid day feeding is always the first to go. Once the bird starts refusing it for several days, I cut it out. The evening feeding is always the last to go. I never cut a baby off, until it completely refuses to be handfed over a period of a week, or so. I, also, let my birds eat small amounts of a good quality seed mix, but only after they are already eating the fresh foods, and pellets - and loving them!

I hope this helps, I am not an expert - this is just what works for me!

[Amazonlady]

I agree with PenelopeGem. Most of my amazons weaned at 3 1/2 to 4 months and the middle feed was the first to go. Seems like you are doing all the right things and it could be that it's going to wean early. Just keep watch on his/her weight.

Sashagirl I think the name of the book is "handfeeding and raising baby birds" by Barron's I had it here in my bookcase.

In the Barron's book the example they gave was for an Orange Wing amazon and it said at 55 to 60 days you can start seeing weight drop off and weaning start.

Hope this helps and would love to see a picture if you can post one. I just love to see the little ones

[hyeteck]

I took it down to 2 feedings per day at 25cc each feeding. Its working out much better. I can't believe how much he likes broccoli. I have to go buy some more today!

thanks for the info!