Hello Everyone. New Member/New Mommie

[Rynkydynk]

I purchased a 3.5 month old Male Green Wing Macaw a month ago from an established breeder. He fledged the day after we brought him home and is already trying adult food here and there but isn't good at it ... little beak coordination & strength and hardly actually swallows any. I realize that the hand feeding will last at least a couple more months and I'm ok with that. My only issue is that he really seems completely disinterested in the formula. I've tried adding peanut butter, yogurt and various baby foods thinking perhaps he just has a selective pallet lol. Getting one full syringe (60 cc) in him is generally not an issue but he really needs two and always flies off when I need to refill it. When I go get him, he flies off again the second I set him back on the counter. I'm completely against wing clipping so I'm hoping someone here has advice for keeping him on the counter until his crop is full. Furthermore, he sometimes refuses to eat in the mornings altogether. All advice welcome and appreciated

Thank you

 

[cmike_77]

Welcome! I can't wait to see some pictures. I love Macaw's but they are too big for our household!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Welcome to the forums.

Hand feeding a bouncing/flying big mac can be a bit of a challenge, especially if they have everything else on their mind BUT food.

I'd try and take him into a quiet and small room, where he 'should' have less desire to take off on you. Making sure the formula is at the desired temperature is also important, as many macs simply refuse it once it's cooled down too much.

How many feedings is he on? If he truly refuses a second syringe, you could offer him a second one a few hours later, or once his crop has emptied sufficiently.

As for him not eating his solids, please have a look at our extensive recipe sub-forum. There just might be something there he'd like to try on his own.
Parrot Food, Recipes and Diet - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

 

[Flboy]

Welcome, and I wish you happy adventures!

 

[Allee]

Welcome to the forums! Enjoy the journey with your baby big mac! We'd love to see photos of your little one!

 

[Rynkydynk]

Good morning everyone. Strange ... I set up my profile pic but it doesn't show up next to my name in my messages. I just rechecked my profile and it is definitely there.
Here are a few pics of my baby boy ... Meet Raylan

 

[JerseyWendy]

What a STUNNING boy your Raylan is!!!! I could have sworn you had an Avatar picture this morning (photo by your name). Now I don't see it anymore. Might be my computer though.....so please don't sweat it, especially if everyone else can see it.

May I point out one thing? I LOVE the cargo net, however, please be careful with the open S-hooks, as a parrot could easily get his beak stuck.

 

[Dinosrawr]

I have nothing to add here, Wendy has covered everything wonderfully. I just want to say that your new baby is absolutely gorgeous! I'm a puddle of jealous mush over here... especially with that picture of you cradling him, how sweet [emoji4]

 

[Rynkydynk]

May I point out one thing? I LOVE the cargo net, however, please be careful with the open S-hooks, as a parrot could easily get his beak stuck.

Absolutely! As a first time Mommie, I am wide open to suggestions, advice and constructive criticism. Thank you for your open honesty. I will replace them today ... Are the C connectors with the screw tighteners safe for him?

He's not yet a huge fan of the cargo net. I had it full of toys but the vet said that was too much and he was probably overstimulated so I left only 2. Didn't change his interest level. He mostly just wants to be on me or following me around at ceiling height lol She said the same thing for his cage. I have him in a double macaw cage that had many perches and toys, including a toy box full of foot toys on the bottom. He didn't mess with them much because he is only in his cage overnight, and while I shower and run errands once a week.

 

[Rynkydynk]

I have nothing to add here, Wendy has covered everything wonderfully. I just want to say that your new baby is absolutely gorgeous! I'm a puddle of jealous mush over here... especially with that picture of you cradling him, how sweet [emoji4]

Thank you! He is incredibly cuddly, loving and affectionate. I LOVE it!! However, I've read a few different sites that state that because he sees me as a mommie, he will distance himself from me once he weans. If this is true, it will be such a sad day and tough transition

 

[Allee]

Raylan is absolutely gorgeous! Fabulous photos, I love the one where Raylan is showing off his wingspan.

I'm sure Raylan will transition from baby to all grown up, your relationship will probably undergo changes, but if you have a strong bond it should last a lifetime.

 

[Rynkydynk]

Thank you Allee, he is very proud of those wings and loves to show them off and flap like crazy lol
We do have a great bond and it formed very quickly, beginning the first day we had him home