Tips for weaning?

[oONightFireOo]

Georgeous Baby!! I bet your heart melts every time you see her. Mine did - and I was just looking at pictures! And becca raises a very good point - you'll want to do everything to make sure that other issues aren't coming into play...

I also know of many many people who use cherios during the weaning process (just the regular kind - and even then, I'd go with an organic alternative) - and then there is weaning food that is shaped like Cherios so that is is a similar expierence for the baby as they are trying to eat on their own... and then you couldf simply slowly chnage pelleted diets.

But with that note - how are things going? Getting any better? Have found any tricks that work for her?

Keep us updated...
Warm Regards,
~Kevin

[Clarionite]

We're setting up an appointment with another Vet in the area. We're beginning to think there may be another issue. She empties her crop every day, but it's not as quick as it was emptying. She's holding her weight. But she's staying pissy more often now. So we're affraid she may have the start of a bacterial issue. She eats her solid foods, she eats her soft foods, and since we've started sprinkling the formula on the solid foods she eats more of that than she did.

I'll let you know what the vet says.

[oONightFireOo]

Best of luck at the vet! It's al;ways a good idea to go if there is any question of anything. Better to know then to be left in the dark - and the earlier a problem is found, the easier and faster is can be corrected...

Keep me posted with what is going on! I am sure things will be fine...
Best Wishes,
~Kevin

[Sashagirl]

When I weaned my 2 youngest B&G Macaws almost 4 years ago it wasn't that hard.I introduced them to different foods as well as Scenic Pellets.Finally they started refusing their handfeeding until they would no longer except the feedings I offered them.By the time they were weaned they
were eating on their own.I believe they were about 6-7 months.I agree with the other person that you should take it for a checkup just as a precaution so much can happen.I hope everything turns out okay for your baby.

Marcia

[Clarionite]

Thanks for the comments. We have an appointment at 10:30 in the morning.
We're hoping for the best.

[Irish]

Originally Posted by Clarionite

Thanks for the comments. We have an appointment at 10:30 in the morning.
We're hoping for the best.

Good idea. Your bird may have something along the lines of a yeast infection, which would need treating with medication, but you can't get started if you don't know what's wrong (if anything)! Good luck :-).

[Clarionite]

Well, she had the start of a bacterial infection. Dr Vince said it wasn't very bad, and we caught it pretty early. He gave her a couple of shots, and sent her home with two different medications. Her feedings for the next week or so are going to be cut to 30-40cc at a time and upped in frequency.

She hated having the blood drawn. But she's calm and resting now. So hopefully in a few days she'll be her cheerful self again.

[Sashagirl]

I'm so glad it was something simple and she'll be okay.

Marcia

[Clarionite]

Thanks Sashagirl, we are too. We've hand fed quakers before. And we've been hand feeding piper for about 3 1/2 months now, but when it comes to anything out of the ordinary we're brand new to this. So we're happy to have found a good vet here. We
went through our whole routine with the vet. From amounts of food to temperature,
schedule, and things like weekly treats of yogurt and papaya. He seemed to think we
were on the right track with what we were doing.

I think we're going to change from the colored Zupreem pellets to the plain pellets. I'm
beginning to think that because of the colors she considers them more of a toy than food. It might not be the case, but it can't hurt.

Her bloodwork came back good. And the Vet seemed to think that other than her infection she was in pretty good health.

We told him what the other vet had told us about the crop being empty after 30-45 minutes. He said that was incorrect (Common sense told us that) and that depending
on the size of her feeding it should take her about 3-4 hours to empty her crop.

I think next month we'll take her and have her blood tested for sexing. It doesn't really
matter, as we're not wanting to ever make a breeder out of her. But my wife kinda wants
to be sure about the sex. We named her a unisex name (Piper) just in case.

[oONightFireOo]

That is great news! I am sorry that she had a minor infection, but and thrilled to see that it was caught so early and that it is something that you will be able to work past quickly...

Keep us updated on what is going on. I hate having to get blood work done on any of my babies. I felt terrible when I got Hera - because I picked her up from the breeder - and literally stopped by the vet on the way home... and she had blood drawn and HATED it. She kept crying and flying to me - and would pant and turned bright red...

The vet always pokes at me and askes me if I want to go outside so I don't have to watcvh... because every single time... I get a little bit teary... so I can feel that pain!

But I am glad to hear that things are on the up and ths she's otherwise healthy! Don't forget to keep the pictures coming!!!

Warm Regards,
~Kevin Eason