Please help with weaning

[Saddlebredgirl]

Hi.I have a 7week old IRN baby that im trying to wean.I still feed it 3 times a day. In the morning and afternoon it only takes 5ml of formuld and then refuses to eat any more.At 10pm it takes 15ml. I have put down lots of foods in the cage for him to try but he tries to chew it and then he just drops it again.I tried feeding him fruits,seeds,pellets but he hates wet food. Please help what can i do to wean him?

[Greycloud]

Offer some cooked warm sweet potato, millet on the branch. I would start to wean off that afternoon feed. Just offer alittle bit for a day or two then stop it. See if he eats more on his own then. Make sure you are weighing your baby each morning, before eating and after morning pooh. Some natural cooked oatmeal is good too. Not the kind with flavors or added sugars. Since the formula is warm he might accept the sweet potato and cereal more readily.

[Saddlebredgirl]

Thank you for the advice. I already tried millet but he wasnt interested at all.I will try the oatmeal and sweet potato tomorow. Today he actually started to eat apple i gave him quite alot and he nearly ate all of it.Im so happy about that.The formula that i give him is room tempreture.I am going to stop the 2pm feed tomorow.I will update here how its going.Thanks

[nestbox]

Seven weeks old is pretty young in my book, I'd feed him as long as he will take it. I have a baby quaker that was force weaned and he is so little. Listen to the little bird, he'll let you know when it's time. Please don't rush him, not worth it in the long run.

[nestbox]

I found an article that stated 11 to 12 weeks to start weaning. Check it out and see what you find.

[Greycloud]

Saddlebredgirl, please do not feed room temp handfeeding formula. It needs to be between 104-107 degrees. It is much harder for the food to digest and can sit in the crop and cause yeast and bacteria growth. Please keep handfeeding till your baby is ready to stop.

[T.W.]

I don't believe in forcing a baby to wean. The baby will slowly take less and less,and be more interested in other foods. The formula should not be fed room temp. Keep adding things for the baby to eat, mash diet, birdie bread, it will eventually start eating, but you can't rush it, it will happen at it's own pace, even when you hand feed multitple chicks, some wean before others.

[debbielabella]

I agree with the others, she'll wean when she's ready. If she begs for food, feed her, even if she's not taking as much. Make sure you are using a good digital thermometer and keeping formula warm as you are feeding her. You can place the crock in a bowl of warm water and leave the thermometer in. It's critical not to feed too cool or warm, be very careful of temps. 104 - 107 listed above are very good guidelines

Talula loves warm food but really prefers to take it from a spoon. Oatmeal (not instant, you can use quick cook 1 minute) or polenta, 7 grain cereal, no milk, I use a splash of almond milk to thin it, they love it from a spoon. Also vegetarian soups, with cooked beans, anything warm (but not hot!) and soupy consistancy that's healthy food. Talula likes sitting with me and she will pick it off the spoon, if she gets excited she'll gulp it down. I thought I would have to wean her from formula but she started taking less and less at the feedings then finally refused altogether.

During the day I leave out a mixture of finely chopped fruits and veggies, no citrus, mixed with Momma's birdie bread or rice and bean mixtures, and/or sprouts. I put it in a crock on bottom of her cage. She likes pomegranite seeds, fresh corn off the cob, apples, sugar snap peas, green beans, brocolli, mango, lots of variety, chopped very small.

good luck! I was worried Talulah wouldn't wean because she still begged with frequency but she started taking less and less until she refused a feeding, they are all different, but if she begs, and wants to be fed, its good for her growth to feed her, she knows what she needs. It's amazing how much soft food and formula they need to keep those bodies growing.

[debbielabella]

sorry for the double post. You may want to post under the breeding section. I'm very much an ameture and I feel very uncomfortable trying to help. There are so many things I know I left out, have no idea what you know or don't know, or the history of your bird. Nothing will beat an experience breeder mentor and a vet for this type of thing.

[Saddlebredgirl]

Thanks everyone for the advice.I am giving the formula to him warm now but in the morning he only takes 5ml sometimes less.At 2pm he screames for food but then he only takes 3ml. At 10pm he takes 16ml. I have tried chopped vegetables but he isnt interested at all.He likes pieces of apple. Well i will just have to be patient and let him wean when he is ready.