Hand feeding

Sabbath · Jun 25, 2011

I have Cameron on a 2 feeding scedule and both times he didn't seem interested in feeding at all. This is nothing like yesturday, he filled up, we cuddled and played, then we went to sleep. Today he doesn't seem interested at eating at all, he takes a little then backs off everytime I try to feed him again.

Every feeding I make sure his crop is empty.

I know he is weaning but considering he is so young, I would think he would still need quite a bit of feeding! I mean I do see him eat pellets/treats but not a whole bunch(Mostly just what I spread around on my chest when I'm laying down lol).

What should I do? Am I just being a over worrying novice hand feeder?

Please do help!

P.S. Just before the feeding I normally offer some treats/pellets and he normally takes them, could this be the reason why?

Pedro · Jun 25, 2011

It's a good idea to let him eat just what he wants at the weaning stage as he is about to fledge so needs to loose some weight to get airborne. Also at this time it would be a good idea to introduce him to soft foods like corn, peas & apple chopped up small in a dish. The more new foods you introduce the less likely he will be a fussy eater.

Is he in a cage yet? if not a small weaning cage is a good idea & you can get him used to eating in his cage rather than make bad habits. It's not really a good idea to spread food all over the bed when feeding him in his cage is so much better. Just my thoughts. Honestly now is the time to teach him to be a good bird other wise i can see some bad behaviors happening in a few more weeks.

Sabbath · Jun 25, 2011

I'll pick up some peas/corn and such when I get the chance, and yes he is in a cage. He does eat in his cage when I spread the pellets about but I just do this out of curiousity(the crunching noise is very soothing).

At the moment I actually have everything positioned about mid level in the cage and he normally hangs out up there, right now I think he is standing on the top of his bed for whatever reason

.

Pedro · Jun 25, 2011

Very good. Conures are very clever little sods & will pick on bad habits very quickly. It has taken me a few years to work the little buggers out.LOL.

Sabbath · Jun 25, 2011

lol, I actually put out some fresh bananas in a bowl for him to try(He didn't seem interested at all but might as well start introducing them now!). I'll be taking it out in a hour probably as bananas can go bad pretty quick.

Other then that, I think everything is good with him, this feeding thing is kind of a scare thing but just to ask one more time, would this be considered normal for a bird so young like him?

Pedro · Jun 25, 2011

Yes this is all a normal process with weaning. Just be sure he is eating something it doesn't matter how much through the day. Remember he needs to loose baby fat to be able to get into the air. Once he has mastered flying he will most likely return to being a little pig at meal times.

I have some little GC Conures going through the same thing. But mthey are a little younger than your baby. When my baby suns are about 7 weeks old i only give them 1 feed a day & thats in the evening. Through the day they get a combination of seed, pellets, fruit & veggies as well as a sprout mix. The point is they don't go hungry & the food is available if they want it. But never let them go to bed with an empty crop at this age.

Sabbath · Jun 25, 2011

Alright, well he is eatting, he destoryed the treats I gave him(Nuts, dried bananas and something with a P), and just seems happy to play really!

Just noticed lol he is now 7 weeks old O-o (hatch date 5/09 if I remember right), now that I think about it, should I reduce it down to 1 feeding a day at later in the night?

Edit: To be technical, he is 6 weeks old and 3 days

Pedro · Jun 25, 2011

Still keep him on the 2 feeds but just let him eat what he requires. Don't be in to much of a rush to wean him. Although a single bird would take a bit longer than a full nest of chicks. You seem to have it all under control & let face it you know him better than any of us.

I would aim at about 10 weeks for him to be off formula but normally by 12 weeks. Remember each baby is different so just work in with him, he will let you know when he doesn't want formuls anymore.

Sabbath · Jun 25, 2011

Alright, and if he just keeps fighting with me on the feeding part(By this I mean just takes in a little then backs off if I try again) don't keep attempting to fill his crop?

Hand feeding

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