Morning crying question

[Congobongo]

I got my U2 Bella and she was still on formula. She would let me know when she wanted her 'num num'. She would take on the 'baby birdie' position with her wings outspread and her mouth open. And that would tell me it was time to give her the formula. One day I was thinking I needed to buy more formula for her but...she herself stopped asking me for it. It was like 'I'm a big girl now'. And she herself just stopped wanting formula and hand feeding.

I would not be an advocate of taking a bird too young however I do believe that the couple of weeks I did hand feed her bonded me more to her and her to me. She will always be my baby and she acts that way. She will cuddle with me, sleep on my chest and continues to treat me like I am mommy.

That is just my experience. For what it is worth.

[Melissasparrots]

Babies that are just weaning will often start out by just picking at stuff. Sometimes that stage of just picking can seem to last forever before they finally start consuming enough to count. During that time, they can go through a scary phase of not wanting much formula and not wanting much grown up food either. They will drop weight during this time so it is important to get a gram scale and weigh her daily before the first feeding. That way if ever there is doubt about if she's eating enough, you have some raw data to present to the vet and they can decide if she's just losing weight to fledge or if she's losing too much. Make sure its a vet that knows about the phases hand feeding babies go through. One that doesn't will see weight loss and think there's a major problem. One with experience will be able to tell you if its too much or normal.
Melissa

[maggy]

I agree with Melissasparrots, I would keep feeding her, for her psychological well being as much as her physical health...let her tell you when she's ready to be a big girl...cockatoos stay with their parents for a very long time, don't be in a hurry to wean her, in the wild the folks keep feeding till the baby refuses their attempts to feed them. It might be a bit tedious but ultimately she will grow up to be a secure confident adult because you let her have her full childhood. A vet check wouldn't go astray,just in case.

[Congobongo]

My umbrella would definately let me know she wanted her baby food. She would eat solid food but still wanted her hand feeding. She would stoop down, hold her wings out a bit and open her beak and make a screetching baby sound. That was my clue to give her a feeding. Typically it was once in the morning and once in the evening. In between she would eat the other pellets, fruits and veggies I offered. I was lucky. One day she just stopped 'asking' for a hand feeding of baby food. She's never gone back.

However, in the morning all birds are noisy. The sun comes up, it is the start of the day and they all 'cockatoodledoo'. She does that now and she is 3 years old. My macaws and CAG's all talk and squawk in the morning as well. It doesn't last long but it is noisy while it lasts.

[weareoceansaway]

Originally Posted by mommaof3

I will leave this to someone with more experience but just wanted to welcome you. This is a great place to get information. Just be careful BB is addicting!

I must agree, BB is most addicting. I'm even on it at work, but don't let my boss know that...XD Your 'too is so adorable!

[Triflow]

Thank you! She is such a blast! We are enjoying BB very much!