Crying Goffin.

[Seba]

Hello I recently got a baby goffins cockatoo, I've owned her for about 2 months, and well lately her crying has been getting worse and worse and I'm very unsure of what to do. When we got her she was recently weaned and upon taking her home, she would always try to latch onto fingers as if wanting to be handfed, and would bob back and forth. The bird store we got her from told us she would be fine and that we should just put her back in her cage whenever she cries. And well that didn't work.

Later we would start hand feeding her and she seemed pretty satisfied with it and got a lot better, and barely cried at all. Just after we went on vacation and had the store board her for a while and ever since we've been back she just got worse and I'm really not sure if we should still feed her once a night or try and get her off the habit.

So basically now whenever I take her out of her cage she will either beg immediately and cry to the point where I have to put her back in her cage, or she will play with her toys but the latter happens even less now.

So, any advice will be greatly appreciated and I am willing to do anything to make my baby goffins happy.

[jenseits]

How old is she?

[Seba]

Sorry I thought I put that in there, she is about 5 months now.

[wildirish]

It sounds like she was originally weaned way too young, then when you continued the handfeedings she was fine, now she is reverting back. She is very young, some can take up to 8 months or so to completely wean. You havent had her long, then left her at the store for boarding, so she is probably also confused LOL!

I would give her "comfort" feedings, am or evening or whenever. Look up abundance weaning.

[NaniOokami]

Comfort feedings are always a good thing, I say you're good to continue the handfeeding. However, from what I understand, Goffins and other toos are common whiners, and that it may last until they're about 2?

I still would offer the comfort feedings until she refuses.

[Seba]

Thank you guys, I'll defiantly try that out. Also if any of you guys want to see her, heres a video I uploaded on youtube.

YouTube - Lacey Attacks!
and
YouTube - Lacey Attacks! P2

[Monica]

I'd recommend continuing to handfeed her as well... at least once a day, in the evening. If she cries, feed her then, too.

You can handfeed her formula, or warmed up sweet potato mash (3 sweet potatos, 2 heaping tbs peanutbutter, 1 orange - optional banana or other soft food), some baby food, or similar warmed up!

If she hasn't been already, you may also want to get Lacey to an avian vet to do a full CBC and fecal for a good starting base for future reference.

[Seba]

Yea we took her to the vet to get a full check up, and she is completely healthy.

Thanks for the advice and recipes.

[mmr]

sounds like she needs to go back on some hand feedings. Too's usually aren't totally weened till around a year. Also the crying may be not enough attention. Right now you really need to spoil her. Hold ehr alot and tons pf attention. Then I bet you will see the crying lessen. Baby;s that aren't held a lot and let sit to cry will end up more depndent then indepentndent. She needs comrfort right now physically and with food!

[nellysmom]

You have been given some really good advice. I think comfort feedings are a good thing for her since she is so young.
I loved your videos. Goffins are one of my favorite TOOS.