need some info

I have a six week old African grey that I have been hand feeding. When should I start offering solid food to it. I do mix baby food in with the formula now about once a day. This is my first clutch of greys but I have raised indianringnecks and they wean alot earlier. Any info will be great. Thanks

Donna

[imported_David]

Hi Donna

Solid food is usually introduced to a grey when he's down to 1 formula feeding a day. Formula feeding should be continued not for a certain time but when the baby refuses to accept it. Some greys wean at about 10 to 12 wks. Other greys can stay on formula for 4 or 5 mts. It's important not to decrease the feedings unless he won't accept anymore. That should also apply when going from a larger number of formula feedings per day to lesser amount--Ex---going from 3 feeding to 2 feeding to 1 feeding per day. Let the chick tell you when to make the change. At about 7 to 8 weeks of age, start putting Cheerios or Fruit Loops on the floor of his basket or whatever it is that you use. Then take a very shallow dish and put a very thin slice of banana in it. He'll start to investigate the cereals but don't expect him to actually eat them. He'll push them around and mouthe them. He'll check the banana and might take tiny pieces of it but not much. Don't leave the banana in for more than an hour. Only put it in with him after he's just awoken. More than likely, he'll take a few dumps on the cereal so remove the cereal when he does. Put the cereal at the other end of the basket so he has to go there. His basic meals should be the formula which has the most nutritious ingredients and it also contains fluid. These chicks are 8 wks old and waiting for their syringe feeding. They were still on 4 feedings a day when they were photographed 2 yrs ago---Dave

AWW David what cuties you have there. Those are Congo's right? Mine is the Timneh And I have it sold already. I think it's going to be hard parting with him though. I take him to the vet next Friday for baby check up and sexing. Thanks for the information. How many other species of birds do you breed?


Catch ya later Donna :)

[imported_David]

Yeh, they're congos. For years I've only breed CAGS . I sometimes bred quakers but here in PA it's against the law to breed or sell them so my 1 pair of quakers is now retired and they sit around eating popcorn while watching The Discovery Channel. Sometimes they make out a bit thinking that the old flame will kick in but the male's supply of viagra has finally expired and the MD refuses to issue a refill-------Dave

[ladyhawke50]

Aww those babies were so cute. All birds love the Discovery Channel, its amazing. And all of them love popcorn. My Too loves Discovery Channel.