6 weeks old conure feeding problem

[Achille]

I have a 6 weeks-old conure which have been under my care for 3 weeks now. He always had 10-12ml of feed 3 times a day. bit today he seams not interested in any food. when i get him out of the box he likes to wonder about on my hand (very active) but when i bring the syringe near he goes away. today he only took 15ml of feed. Should i worry?

I think its a good time to start introducing soft food.

Thanks

 

[mnsalani]

I don't have a lot of experience with handfeeding, but it seems from his age that he might be eating a little less from the syringe and wanting soft foods. It sounds like he is happy and healthy though if he is still active. Best of luck and keep us updated!!

 

[Achille]

will start introducing some soft food (apples was thinking) tomorrow. will keep you posted

Thanks

 

[Pedro]

Hi, are you sure of the age of the chick? At 6 weeks they usually still eat a fair amount of formula. My sun chicks are having 25mls at 6 weeks. My sun's are never fully weaned until 12 to 14 weeks old. But honestly i would be making a Vet visit just in case you baby has candidiasis (thrush) you will need an antifungal or it could be a low grade bacterial infection, in which case would require antibiotics.

OK if you think your bird is fine & is wanting to wean you can try to cut out the lunch time feed & feed morning & afternoon. If your bird is in a cage already you can offer soft food, pellets & some small parrot seed along with some sprouts. 15mls for the whole day doesn't sound right to me & i would be extremly worried if it was my baby.

 

[Achille]

After clarification with a breeder it seems that my conure is around 10 weeks old. I transferred him from the box to a cage were he is very active. He is taking around 10ml a day of the formula but on the other hand he is eating millet spray, seed mixture, and apples...

Regarding water do they learn by them selves how to drink or its ideally that i introduce him to the water bowl?

Thanks

 

[Amber]

If he's around 10 weeks he will definitely be looking for food to eat on his own, while still needing the formula. My breeder had suns, some of which had weaned themselves by that age, some that still needed a feed or two. I would be doing what Pedro said, pellets, a little seed even, veggies, soft foods etc. Have them where he can get to them 24/7. Really soon as the bird is out of the hot box/brooder and into a cage they should have water and food, even if they are not eating or drinking on their own yet just to familiarise them with it. Alex would play with his pellet and seed mix looooong before he ever had the slightest inclination to eat it. Same with the water, fruit and veg, etc. So when the time came for him to start eating, he was already familiar with the food.


Alex took FOREVER to wean though, because just as he was weaning his breeder fell ill and I had to take over hand feeding him. He was too stressed to wean with he new environment and new handler. It took a month of building a bond before he even started to eat on his own. He's nearly 6 month now, and it's only been the last month that he's been off the formula.