Senegal still handfeeding at 5 months??

[Fire4faye]

I bought a Senegal baby who is GREAT at a great little shop not so near where I live. I am anxious to take the little guy home, not only because he is adorable but because making the weekly 3 hour trip to visit him in the shop is getting expensive. Has anyone heard of a senegal taking over 5 months to wean? I am wondering if I am being taken for a ride, although the people at this particular establishment do not strike me as the type. Has anyone got any advice for me? I guess the bird is still on two feedings a day..
Hatch date: 1/1/09.

Thanks!!!

[Poicephalus girl]

I think the average weaning time for a Sennie is around 3-4 months. However, each bird is different and it might be that this one is taking longer.

[becca623]

Has he been checked by an avian vet? Sometimes a medical problem can make weaning more difficult for a bird. On the other hand, he may just not be ready to wean. There is no set date for true weaning. Each bird has his or her own schedule just like human babies.

[proviewsg]

But over 5 months sound like late wean, probably the baby seems to be refusing to be wean. I hand raised my Senegal Parrot, Kermit but he was weaned at 12 weeks approx 3 months.

If the baby you mentioned is now on 2 feeding probably he should be around 8-9 weeks old. Ultimately when he's on 2 feedings now, you provide lots of "adult" foods like pellets, seed mixes, veggies and fruits for him to try and play with. Whenever you notice he eating on his own and having enough food you can cut down on the formula, e.g. removing the morning feedings. Always remember the night feeding is always the last to go!

[Fire4faye]

you'd think so wouldn't you... but no the people who sold him to me say he's not ready, I mean how does abundance weaning work? He eats pellets and fresh food no problem daily. I am going to call tomorrow and see if he is down to one feeding yet. Is there any recourse I have? I have paid for the little guy in full, could I suggest they bring him down to one if he's still on two feedings a day? How does it work? Like I said before, he is now just about 5 months old.

[proviewsg]

Abundance Weaning is actually the opposite meaning of "forced weaning", whereby the chick decides when they are ready for adult food and refusal of formula. I'm sure all breeder and hand raiser adopt this, including myself as abundance weaning techniques tend to bring out healthier parrot physically and emotionally.

A senegal that is over 5 months old and nt ready, does sound very unusual. A late weaned baby senegal i've ever come across was ard 15 weeks that probably coming close to 3 months old.

But in my opinion, since you've waited, paid and made the reservation, why not just let the breeder weaned the baby for you. I guess it's a wise option to leave it for your breeder unless you are confident and have sufficient experience, knowledge in hand-raising a chick.

[tracieerin]

Taking away the feedings before the bird is ready can undermine their confidence and feelings of safety. I'm sure you'd rather a friendly, confident, happy bird than a skittish, shy, nervous bird. Just let your little late bloomer take his time.

[Fire4faye]

I definitely will take all your advice (not that I have a choice!) and let him take his sweet time. Strangely another baby senegal from the same clutch is also still handfeeding right along with him? I asked the breeder and she said it was normal. He is pretty big actually,,, 135 grams! Thanks guys for the advice. I went to see him today again - SO adorable...wanted to get his beak on everything in sight!