weaning question

We have purchased a YNA, well he is still at the pet shop. Anyway I called today to see when he/she (DNA test pending) would be ready. When we visited him last week we were told about a week. He is 17 weeks old and is down to one hand feeding a day with 10 ml of formula. I was told it would be about 2 more weeks. My question is, is there a certain age you try to wean birds by or does it depend on the species or just when they refuse to take anymore formula? We got our GCC at 16 weeks and our Quaker at 20 weeks and they were both weaned and we got both of them from the same place we are getting this one from. They are great pet shop and take wonderful care of their birds. I understand the importance of them being fully weaned. Just wondered if there was a certain age people try to wean by. Sorry if this seems like a stupid question! I guess I am just excited to get him/her home!

Basically they're all "individuals" so each will tend to be a little different. One of the best things I learned is that once you know they're at or past weaning stage BUT they still want their "fix" is just to eliminate the "formula" altogether & replace it with baby food (organic only is preferred). I used the powdered mix combined with the "age 2" stuff. (I also used this in conjunction with formula before they were weaned). This served 2 purposes, one; to stretch the formula out farther (it AIN'T cheap) as well as introduce them to fruits, veggies & such. two; I was able to completely get them off the formula yet still feeding them healthy foods (they thought they were still on the formula ) This has worked with both GW's and the YNA's successfully! (My breeder taught me this)

Hear where I live normally you wait 12 to 14 weeks until you get your bird but I'm guessing its different where you are

I've got all my birds (except one) that were still weaning........I also got some pretty good training from my breeder. In her house with multiple birds...........Her comment to me was you ain't leaving with that bird til I know you have it down right. I love her to death but GEEZ she are a serious "taskmaster"

@ Loki, I have posted in a few threads about weaning or should I say what I was taught

There isn't a certain age to wean them by. Most species do have a certain age that give or take a month or so its normal to wean. I've had YNA wean anywhere from 10 weeks to 4.5 months. The 10 week old baby was odd, she never really liked formula and once she learned to eat on her own, she didn't want any part of the syringe anymore. My males will often take the full 4 months to really wean and its not uncommon for one of the boys to just hang on to that last evening feeding longer than they really need it just because they think its yummy. With my boys, if we are down to 10cc and they are holding weight, I'll humor them and let them keep that last feeding for a couple weeks and then I'll quit giving them formula and offer some warm sweet potato at about that time instead. So they still get their warm yummy stuff, but they transition nicely to being little grown ups and eating independently without really missing their formula. I'd make sure your store has him totally food independent for a couple weeks before you bring him home. Then offer him some warm yummy stuff like sweet potato mashed with some cooked rice or oatmeal and some banana as a comfort food to help him make the transition without wanting formula as a comfort food.

With both tiels and zons it's about 12 wks, but like rat said ,they are all individuals. I know of people who forceable handfeed birds for years in an effort to keep them hand tame with with a minimum of interaction. "Comfort feedings" are what most of us do but in reality those birds are basically weaned. Macaws are a different story and parents often feed their offspring in the wild for over a year.Some birds are "needier" than others but most are trying to feed themselves by 12 wks if given the chance and spoon fed.IMO

Thanks for all the posts. He has a vegetable "mash"that they had in his cage and also some pellets. The owner said he was eating that stuff really good and is kind of "pushing away" at the formula. Again thanks everyone for the info!