Baby African grey not eating as he used to

Hi, we are raising a baby African grey and I have some concerns. He is a very healthy little baby but at 7 weeks now he has been eating quite a bit less than he used to. His poop still looks the same and he is still very playful, but he's just eating a lot less. Is this normal? Is this he slim down period I have heard of?

Please hanks for helping!

Welcome to the forums.

How many feedings is your baby on? Has she/he started flying yet? We truly need a bit more info in order to try and help.

No, 7 weeks is too soon for a 'slim down' period. I believe you're talking about that once a baby bird starts eating on his own, yes, most can and do lose some weight, but not a 7-week old grey.

Is he eating any solids and/or soft fresh foods yet?

Do you weigh him regularly and keep track of the weight?

Thank you!

Well, I today we started testing some cucumber, cooked potato, and some apple. He was very interested in these foods and actually ate some. I'm unsure as to what to offer at what age. I'll get some pellets tomorrow and try them. I had to take out the wood shavings from the bottom of his cage as I caught him nibbling on it. Made me worry a bit as I don't know what's on the shavings and if it would be OK (it's packaged for hamsters).

He gets 4 feedings a day on the baby mush you have to feed him. I haven't been weighing him, but he looks pretty chubby. Not at all like he has lost weight. In fact it might be the opposite...

I have raised cockatiels, budgies and a ringneck by hand before (a budgie only about 5 months ago) with no problems. It just seems to me as if he is bored with the baby food. He has started preferring the food more on the stiffer side during the last week. Its also been extremely hot here (about 40C) during day times so I've been giving him some water in between and spraying him lightly.

Should I drop down to 3 feedings a day with solids available if he wants it? I don't want him to choke on it while I'm at work though.... O and no he's not flying yet. Only starting to really walk without falling on his face .

Any help would be awesome. Thank you for reading!

Glad to hear you took the shavings out. They can indeed be quite harmful for a baby bird.

Yes, I’d suggest cutting him back to 3 feedings a day, along with offering him fresh foods and veggies. And yes, you can also start offering him pellets.

I'd suggest maybe offering him some pellets soaked in a little water or low sugar juice during the feeding time you're replacing to see if he goes for it. Gradually offering them drier and drier so he gets used to eating them. You can let him watch you dip it so he gets the idea if he wants to do it himself (all my birds do this and make soup anyways!)

And maybe offer a few dry cheerios because they dissolve easily and are low risk of him choking on anything.

Welcome to the forum. Baby birds usually have their weight level off several times during thier development. Fledgling is one of those times and 7weeks is about timr. He trying to fly? Their crop shrinks and they stop gaining weight to help them fly. Yes this is normal. Good job keeping track of his weight. It should start increasing as soon as he fledged.