Late Weaning Cockatiel

I have a beautiful cockatiel which i estimated most probably to be around 4 or 5 months old.I was feeding him 2 times with 15ml of formula when he was maybe 1.5 months old or 2 months old, and then cut it to one feeding at night when he was having a filled crop at the morning. So now, it was probably 1.5 months or 2 months since i cut down to the just the night feeding. I was feeding only one time with 15 ml then he started eating less(6ml per feeding currently) I offer vegetables,fruits and seeds daily. How do I slowly wean him ( I WONT force wean, I just wanted to be able to understand the final part of weaning)to be able to eat fully on his own? Thanks in advance.

More info might help. Where did you get the bird, why is age estimated? Can you attach a picture of the bird? Do you weigh the bird and track weights? What is the feeding formula? Does the bird beg for formula?
Have you read up on weaning by abundance? Do you use a thermometer to check temp of formula? What temp are you keeping the bird at? What's the cage set up like?
Anyway , welcome! Lots of great people here

You generally want to let the bird decide when weaning is over.
He will simply refuse the formula.

Welcome to the forum

Laurasea said:

More info might help. Where did you get the bird, why is age estimated? Can you attach a picture of the bird? Do you weigh the bird and track weights? What is the feeding formula? Does the bird beg for formula?
Have you read up on weaning by abundance? Do you use a thermometer to check temp of formula? What temp are you keeping the bird at? What's the cage set up like?
Anyway , welcome! Lots of great people here

Click to expand...

I got my bird from a pet shop where it was alone in a cage, and looked sad. I took him in ( i did research), the pet shop didn't give me the age of the bird, when i took him in he had fully formed feathers, and could fly, which made me estimate 6 weeks old or 2 months. currently the bird is sleeping, and im on my computer so i dont know how to send a picture. I weighed the bird before 2 days but he didn't stay still for long, the weight was 95g before the feeding. I will weigh him again and will try to take a more precise measurement when before his feeding tomorrow. The weaning formula is called as psittacus. No the bird doesnt beg for formula. I did research to wean my bird, i offer a mix of vegetables and some fruits, and seeds. I dont have good quality pellets in the place i live in. I dont understand the question "what's the cage setup like". The formula temperature is around 105F, and i keep the bird in 27 to 30 degree celius warm place. I didn't understand the last question about the set up of the cage. I have a small cage currently that i will get a larger one hopefully by the end of this month.I will also make sure to offer a variety of toys if i get the new cage.

Hi, I wasn't trying to imply you are doing anything wrong. I was just trying to get a better picture of what's going on with you baby. It's so hard to get an idea of everything over the web so I ask lots of questions.

Pictures help sometimes as it helps with age development and condition of the bird, sometimes we can see clues. I always ask about cage set up, something sometimes helps clue in.

Did your baby fledge learn to fly? Does his behaviors seem normal? Like is he active, vocal, perching climbing? Are poops good? To me a six month cocktail should be weaned, though weaning times can vary.

Do you have an avain vet specialist you can consult? What happens if you don't offer formula? I'm just trying to see if this is behaviorally, or delayed development, or illness, or just normal and taking longer.

It's hard to do this over the web, so hard to help figuring stuff out. Thanks for being patient. We have members with baby raising experience and hopefully they will see your post and offer ideas.
I'm glad you found your beautiful baby, and joined us! Even after you get past this setback, you will find this a great community !
Edit: I ask about formula , because we have had people who were feeding just cooked mashed lentils or other weird stuff before

Yeah, I think texsize is right. Birds wean in their own time, some take longer than others. Ekkies can wean in about 4 months, but it’s not unheard of for them to take up to 8 months.

You’re bird will wean when he’s ready, and you’ll know because he’ll reject the formula. Keep offering all the above - formula, seeds, nuts, fresh fruit/veg/grains - and he’ll eventually lose interest in the formula. you don’t have do do anything other than that.

Keep in mind too that he may be even younger than you think, so may have a bit more to go.

My BB was 4.5 months old when he came home with me. He was fully weaned and eating on his own,fruity pellets and the breeders "house blend" cockatiel seed along with him picking at some veggies and fruit.The breeder told me that at 4.5 months that's when his tiels are available to go to forever homes.I was lucky because the day I got BB was the day he was going to be put up for sale Keeping a track on your little ones weight is important,it'll show you if he is eating well or not. Personally I think with your little one at 92g's is a good weight. My little boys weight varies..this morning before brekky he was at 93g's. He got as big as 97g's once. My CAV has told me 'tiels can weigh anywhere from 86g to 100,depending on their age and how active they are.
My guy is always on the run,going here and there and flying thru out the house.


Jim

Giving you a bump , incase other members will weigh in on thoughts here