Weaning dilemma-baby Princess Parrot

[Tiki]

Since Christmas Eve, I have been crop feeding my baby Princess-Manikay. He is now 5.5 weeks old and ready to fledge, he would have by now if I wasn't working during the day. I am off for the weekend so I will open his cage door and have my camera ready!

He should also be starting to eat by now. I put millet in his cage while I was at work but he doesn't seem to be interested. His weight has been steady at 125 grams the past 10 days. I give him Passwell Baby Parrot formula (Aussie brand-sold by Parrot Society) 7am-18ml, 5pm (after work) -10ml, 11pm-10ml.

My original plan was to have my 3 month old blue Princess be the teacher bird and show Manikay how to eat like a big boy. But he came down with Megabacteria and since Manikay and Chaska are in the same room and had contact with him, they had to be treated as well-they never had the Mega, were just exposed, that's all. Details can be found in Ask the Experts-Megabacteria thread. They have almost finished the 10 day treatment but they don't go back to the AV for a follow-up until 30 Jan (I needed an after biz hours appt which book up fast). So I am keeping them separated. This means I can't use Tjinimin as the teacher. I certainly can't use Chaska, she would bite him if she could. I can't use the Tiels until he passes the vet exam-they were never exposed to the Mega and they are on the opposite side of the house. So I somehow have to get this baby to eat bird seed, millet and veggies. How can I do this?

Ideally, I would like to cut him back to 2 handfeedings-7am and 7pm and have him eat during the day like normal. Does this sound right?

He will eat a little off the spoon, I basically crop feed him and let him have a taste. He never begs, I just feed him at the appointed times. He tried to go begging to Chaska once, but I grabbed him before she could bite him. She may be green, but she is not foster mother material!

Any suggestions appreciated.

[SunConure1]

Hi Tiki, I find young birds that are weaning profer soft foods. I surguest that you soak some seed for 24 hours with some vetafarm aviclens water cleanser, directions for use for drinking water and seed soaking add 5ml of aviclens to 10 litres of fresh water. You should be able to buy this from a pet shop. Soak the seed in cold water for 24 hours, Then drain and raise well then leave to sit in a warm sunny place not directly in the sun. Then in a day or two the seeds should start to sprout, Once this happens it is fine to feed store the rest in a container in the fridge. Only keep the sprouted seed for 3 days no longer, I find giving them a raise each time you go to feed is a good idea. The sprouted seed will help the young bird learn how to crack seed, Also still put some dry seed, bowl of water and a low perch for him/her. Also offer soft fruits and vegies, I find young baby birds will take to the corn real well. The baby should let you know if it doesn't want a meal, If the baby isn't taking much formula in one of the feedings cut 1 feeding out. MoJo my green cheek conure at 5 weeks old he was perching, eating, drinking and was on 2 feeds a day. But every bird is different, Your baby will let you know when its ready to be cut back. I never force wean any of my birds, I let them wean themselfs off the formula. I hope this has help a bit, good luck with your baby.

[basketbagley]

Tara - I'm praying for your guys! I know everything will turn out A-ok!

I was going to suggest growing some sprouts too. I never weaned a baby or even fed a baby, it was just something that popped into mind while reading your post.

Keep us updated!

[smallonion]

Nothing to add but - good luck with the new baby. And Tracy - love your avatar!! We now have 3 green princess moms on birdboard! We're an exclusive club ;-)

PS _ Notice my Humphrey graphic in the sig - I added a long princess tail to the one who looked most like Humph

[Lori L]

Tiki, I have weaned all my bird by using the Zupreen weaning formula and offering seed/pellets and food. They naturally will investigate. It's more important that they drink water on their own since their only source of water is through the formula you give them.

[Tiki]

OK, I just had a go at spoonfeeding him a mixture of formula with some broccoli heads mixed in. You would think he would be starving because I over slept last night and didn't feed him at 11pm. But this morning, he just didn't want anything. I forced him to eat a few spoonfuls of formula/broccoli but he fought me. Is this the pre-flight slimming diet? I just want to make sure he is behaving normally.

I just have a weekend to get this right, I need some system in place by Monday when I go back to work. I put some seeds in water, but they won't be ready for a couple days.

[Lori L]

Are you offering him a bowl of seeds/pellets like a grown up bird?

[Tiki]

Well I tried all day to get him to eat. I put a plate with pellets, corn kernals, seed mix, broccoli and millet sprays and he picked at them, took them in his mouth but didn't actually eat them. He knows they are food, he just doesn't realize he is supposed to crack the seeds and swallow them. So I gave him a crop feed-he weighed 125 grams before feed, 140 after and I gave him 18ml. I will try again in the morning to get him to eat naturally.

On a brighter note, he LOVES flying! He can't get enough of his new skill and was all over the place!

[Lori L]

If he can perch then he must be in a regular cage. I would keep water, seed/pellets in there, he will eventually eat them. Don't worry

[Joel]

Tara, like I mentioned to ya in a pm, try ALL those foods I suggested....Are your pellets the colorful ones (Z Fruit Blend Pellets are most favored by my weaning birds). Crackers without salt are never refused here either. Are those corn kernals soft, right off an ear of corn or from a frozen bag of veggies? I wouldn't use the hard ones......Try those scrambled eggs and pieces of fruit........... They usually are more concerned with learning to fly at that age but will eat when hungry - most always IME.....