Weaning Process

The breeder that we are buying our baby turquoise from said that it's looking like the baby won't be fully weaned by the time we were planning to pick him/her up initially (April 5). The breeder said we are welcome to pick the baby up and finish weaning at home though.

I have zero experience with weaning, and I work a full time day job. Is it even feasible for me to expect to be able to wean a baby while I can only be there in the mornings and afternoons-evenings? Is it a really demanding job, or am I over thinking it a bit?

I would absolutely NOT try weaning a baby with a hectic schedule and no experience. I would pick the bird up at a later date, after he/she has been weaned by the breeder who knows what they're doing and has the time to put into doing it right. I also question a breeder who even suggests an inexperienced new owner takes an unweaned baby home.

Anyways, it may be a bit more of a wait for your new buddy to come home, but it will be well worth it for him/her to be able to eat solid food when you get them. Best of luck with your new baby

I have to agree, weaning is a VERY stressful time for a baby. If you are not experienced this is something I would strongly urge you not to do.
Just have patience and pick your baby up at a later date when it is completely weaned, coming to a new home is stressful enough for a new baby. The breeder should keep the baby at least 2 weeks imo AFTER weaning is completed because often times a baby will revert a little when put under the stress of a new home. Developmentally this is a critical time for your little one and he/she needs stability and someone who is experienced.

Kiwi - Let me clarify. I work full time, M-F. I don't have a hectic schedule. It's quite the opposite - very predictable and boring. Either way, your point was taken.

I guess it's kind of irresponsible and stupid for breeders to post "ready dates" on their ads then, huh?

WHY DO BREEDERS DO THIS!!!???
this infuriates me to no end...such a pet peeve of mine.

leave the baby where it is, it is best left with the breeder.

In the breeder's defense, she asked if I was comfortable finishing weaning if I picked the baby up on the day we were originally planning. She did so wanting to inform me of the fact that it wasn't weaning as fast as she had anticipated.

The breeder isnt rushing or dumping the baby on us. I asked here to know how to make a responsible choice on my end. That's all.

skygoneblue said:

Kiwi - Let me clarify. I work full time, M-F. I don't have a hectic schedule. It's quite the opposite - very predictable and boring. Either way, your point was taken.

I guess it's kind of irresponsible and stupid for breeders to post "ready dates" on their ads then, huh?

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Some breeders do put ready by or weaning times but they should also make it clear that these are individual living creatures and they don't always conform to a predictable time table. Some babies will become independent sooner and therefore wean sooner but some babies are slower to wean and that should be okay, a baby should never be forced weaned to meet some deadline either for the breeders sake or a prospective new owner. They should all be given the time it takes, whatever it takes to make the weaning process as smooth and stress free as possible. You will have a much better baby in the long run by letting them go at their own pace.

skygoneblue said:

I guess it's kind of irresponsible and stupid for breeders to post "ready dates" on their ads then, huh?

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Well, there is a "typical" timeframe birds wean by, kind of like there are "typical" ages babies start walking or talking. I think breeders base their date off those timeframes. There are always early and late bloomers though. Just look at it as an extra week or 2 to buy some new toys or prepare just a little more

Some babies just take longer then others... your babies siblings may already be starting to wean and your guy is just taking his time.

The wean by date is what a breeder picks as the normal, time frame when MOST birds are weaned by, so don't be too upset about your baby not meeting that date. You never know, its still 10 days away, your baby may wake up on Day 7 and decide those pellets look mighty tasty or want to know why everyone else is eating them but him.

Just leave your pickup date open ended. If the baby is ready and weaned on the 5th, wonderful, if not, plan to go out on the 12th if you are available. A week will not make any difference for you bringing the baby home, outside of the disappointment for you...

I am happy to hear your breeder is being responsible and letting you know. I give her credit for that. A less responsible breeder may just have sent him home without any warning.

You definitely want a fully weaned baby to save yourself any heartache. I am sorry he may not be ready when you were planning and excited about, but a week is nothing compared to the next 40 years you'll have with your baby!!

Makes perfect sense when you put it that way Jen. Thanks for the thoughtful answer!

LOL I have a Two year old that is still not Weaned ! HAHAHA could be worst then a few weeks !

Oh no - I would never try to finish weaning without experience or if you cannot be at home all the time. Don't risk your baby parrot - let it be fully weaned before you get it. When I got Parry form Petsmart ( a total impulse buy, but what a great one!) he was just a couple of days on the floor, and at home I realized he didn't know well how to use his beak for eating! I had to spend the whole days hand feeding him tiny pieces for the first week. So if you are away the whole day you really have to make sure the bird can eat in its own.