When to stop formula?

PunkyB

New member
Aug 15, 2016
21
0
Hi All,

I have successfully hand reared my Alexandrine parrot, after a recent DNA test I can now refer to "it" as her!

She has been on kaytee exact since I got her at 2 weeks old and I followed all the instructions and advice. Now that she is nearly 5 months old the only formula she now gets is once at midnight before I go to bed.

She eats solid food just fine and has a healthy appetite. I was hoping just to stop the formula at night but if I try to put her into her bedtime cage and tell her night night without her having had a good feeding of formula she throws a massive tantrum.

What do I do at this point? Should I just stop the midnight feeds in the knowledge she can eat all the food and water she wants herself slowly reduce the amount she receives each night or is there some other way?

I know some birds take longer than others to fully wean and it's not an exact science

Any advice greatly appreciated, thanks!
 

Attachments

  • 21369637_10154585088351353_2996613200718771987_n.jpg
    21369637_10154585088351353_2996613200718771987_n.jpg
    31.6 KB · Views: 84

SilverSage

New member
Sep 14, 2013
5,937
93
Columbus, GA
Parrots
Eclectus, CAG, BH Pionus, Maximilian’s Pionus, Quakers, Indian Ringnecks, Green Cheeked Conures, Black Capped Conures, Cockatiels, Lovebirds, Budgies, Canaries, Diamond Doves, Zebra Finches, Society F
NO!!!

PLEASE NO!

Do not stop or reduce her nighttime feeding! She needs the emotional comfort of that feeding to develop into the smart brace girl she was meant to be, and it is a BIG DEAL. This is one of the reasons it's so bad for babies to be sold unweaned or force weaned for a quick sale; it's the EMOTIONAL and MENTAL needs that are being filled by that feeding right now, not the physical need to eat.

Feed her that feeding until she refuses it for at least 7 days in a row. She will do that on her own when she is ready. This is abundance weaning and it is the only ethical and humane way to do it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
OP
P

PunkyB

New member
Aug 15, 2016
21
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #3
NO!!!

PLEASE NO!

Do not stop or reduce her nighttime feeding! She needs the emotional comfort of that feeding to develop into the smart brace girl she was meant to be, and it is a BIG DEAL. This is one of the reasons it's so bad for babies to be sold unweaned or force weaned for a quick sale; it's the EMOTIONAL and MENTAL needs that are being filled by that feeding right now, not the physical need to eat.

Feed her that feeding until she refuses it for at least 7 days in a row. She will do that on her own when she is ready. This is abundance weaning and it is the only ethical and humane way to do it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's why I'm asking for advice I wouldn't do something unless I checked and researched first so don't worry I'm not going to suddenly stop :)

She has started to enjoy the feedings a little less. She does this thing when being fed where she sticks out her face feathers to make a "Moustache" if that makes sense. Lately though this has been happening less and she has wondered off more during feedings, perhaps this is her starting to show she is getting ready?

So eventually she will just loose interest then? I was starting to get the impression she would let me do this for 30 years or so if I let her :)

I love feeding time it's a great time to spend with her but it's good to know that she will grow out of it

Thank you for you input it's appreciated :green1:
 

SilverSage

New member
Sep 14, 2013
5,937
93
Columbus, GA
Parrots
Eclectus, CAG, BH Pionus, Maximilian’s Pionus, Quakers, Indian Ringnecks, Green Cheeked Conures, Black Capped Conures, Cockatiels, Lovebirds, Budgies, Canaries, Diamond Doves, Zebra Finches, Society F
Yes she will actually refuse when she is ready.

And pardon the extreme answer, but I see tons of well meaning people suggesting you reduce formula and then remove it and as well meant as that advice is, it's horrible and damaging to the baby and has life long consequences.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
OP
P

PunkyB

New member
Aug 15, 2016
21
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #5
Yes she will actually refuse when she is ready.

And pardon the extreme answer, but I see tons of well meaning people suggesting you reduce formula and then remove it and as well meant as that advice is, it's horrible and damaging to the baby and has life long consequences.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't mind a strong answer at all, just shows you care for my little birdie just as much as I do!!

Thanks for the answers, I will wait for her to loose interest in her nightly feeds
 

Most Reactions

Latest posts

Top