Thank You Dr. Chris

[cneuhauser]

Thank you Dr. Chris... I'm pretty sure you hit the nail square on the head for this one.

A good portion of what is going on is that he wants to be hand fed; regardless of how well he eats on his own during the day. I'm wondering if this is a social/bonding thing because I'm at work most of the day.

Regardless, I'm glad I visited Comet way back when he was being hand fed, because it was EXACTLY the behavior I saw out of him. He also makes this high pitched squeal then it drops a few octaves kinda like a hawk.

So I had fed him sweet potatoes, and will do the same tomorrow evening with his chop and pellets blended up (a little warm). After he pushed my hand away "I'm done", the flock call ended and now he's just back to mumbling again in response to all my comments as I talk to him.

Weight for reference:

338g before eating
353g after eating

(weight when I brough him home a month ago 300g)

 

[chris-md]

This made my night, really glad you figured it out! He’s regressed a bit, it’s a psychological fulfillment thing. You’re performing abundance weaning here. Forced weaning by withholding demanded feedings can lead to behavioral issues later on. He will eventually reject the feedings on his own. That’s when you know you can stop.

As I think about it, as you go through the weaning process see what you can do to continue keeping him accepting of these feedings. Not that you want to keep him dependent on feeding, but maintaining acceptance of mush/syringe feedings on command, maybe adding a cue when you feed- perhaps by finding a favorite sugary liquid/juice or mashed sweet potatoes - will solidify your ability to give medicine in the future!

I’m vaguely starting to syringe train my own boy, with hopes I’ll never need it but will have it under my belt in case I do.

 

[cneuhauser]

This made my night, really glad you figured it out! He’s regressed a bit, it’s a psychological fulfillment thing. You’re performing abundance weaning here. Forced weaning by withholding demanded feedings can lead to behavioral issues later on. He will eventually reject the feedings on his own. That’s when you know you can stop.

As I think about it, as you go through the weaning process see what you can do to continue keeping him accepting of these feedings. Not that you want to keep him dependent on feeding, but maintaining acceptance of mush/syringe feedings on command, maybe adding a cue when you feed- perhaps by finding a favorite sugary liquid/juice or mashed sweet potatoes - will solidify your ability to give medicine in the future!

I’m vaguely starting to syringe train my own boy, with hopes I’ll never need it but will have it under my belt in case I do.

Good idea... for those moments when I need to give him medications; very smart!

Yeah I need to come up with some mushy type meals similar to porridge, to mix things up. Hopefully during this reversal I can also introduce smaller bite sized portions of raw (washed) veggies.

I may also move his cage closer to the living room window so he has more stimulation when I'm at work; also just bought an Alexa device so he can listen to music during the day.

Thanks again! This was of great help!

**Trust me... he's eating like a trash compactor! WOW lmao (slow but I'll be damned that all of it fits in that little birdie)

 

[mica21493]

I don't have an Ekkie, but I want to second the syringe training. I really feel that is a tremendous advantage and creates so much less stress for the bird and you! My grey was syringe trained, it was so easy to do when she young, and when she got cancer at 26, it was invaluable. I truly believe it increased her life span after her diagnosis because it wasn't a fight to give meds, it was a treat plus the bonus of being able to give extra nutrition when she needed it most.

 

[Alembic772]

This made my night, really glad you figured it out! He’s regressed a bit, it’s a psychological fulfillment thing. You’re performing abundance weaning here. Forced weaning by withholding demanded feedings can lead to behavioral issues later on. He will eventually reject the feedings on his own. That’s when you know you can stop.

As I think about it, as you go through the weaning process see what you can do to continue keeping him accepting of these feedings. Not that you want to keep him dependent on feeding, but maintaining acceptance of mush/syringe feedings on command, maybe adding a cue when you feed- perhaps by finding a favorite sugary liquid/juice or mashed sweet potatoes - will solidify your ability to give medicine in the future!

I’m vaguely starting to syringe train my own boy, with hopes I’ll never need it but will have it under my belt in case I do.

Good idea... for those moments when I need to give him medications; very smart!

Yeah I need to come up with some mushy type meals similar to porridge, to mix things up. Hopefully during this reversal I can also introduce smaller bite sized portions of raw (washed) veggies.

I may also move his cage closer to the living room window so he has more stimulation when I'm at work; also just bought an Alexa device so he can listen to music during the day.

Thanks again! This was of great help!

**Trust me... he's eating like a trash compactor! WOW lmao (slow but I'll be damned that all of it fits in that little birdie)

Paprika has transitioned off hand feeding formula, but still wants a kinda warmed up mushy meal like what you are saying. I have been cooking sweet potatoes or butternut squash as a base, then adding in steamed kale or spinach, and then fresh veggies. I freeze the stuff into ice cube trays so I can take a portion at a time. I also make ice cubes from cooked millet and quinoa. I warm one of each up in the microwave, add a little water, and she loves it. She makes this little noise when I prepare it.

She’s also eating a lot of fresh veggies and fruits. I also at night put in some frozen strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries so she has something still fresh when she wakes up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ddobs]

Interesting string. I'm abundance weaning my 14-week-old Meyer's parrot who was apparently weaned but has regressed. I'm giving a variety of foods round the clock (except when he's sleeping). My vet advised not to give formula unless he drops below a certain weight - even if he's asking for it. She said it can stunt the bird in terms of becoming independent. Do people have educated opinions about whether it's smart to withhold formula for a bird this age if he's asking for it. His weight seems stable and he eats foods (fruits and veggies, but no pellets yet). Thanks!

 

[chris-md]

Definitely don’t withhold. It sounds like your vet is referencing a well known developmental stage where chicks drop weight before fledging. The chicks decide when that happens, not the humans/parents. They will reject the formula.

 

[ddobs]

Maybe, but this is a 14-week old - he was weaned by the breeder and is regressing. And he's eating foods by himself (just not pellets). Do you think it's necessary to give formula simply because he's signaling he wants me to feed him, eve if his weight is basically stable? he a variety of foods in his cage that he is sampling. He's just not "convinced" yet.

 

[chris-md]

Yes, keep giving it. At this point it’s almost purely a psychological need, one you should be fulfilling. It’s important for the birds psychological development.

 

[ddobs]

Ok, I think what we'll do is give him a little mixture of formula, ground pellets and water on a spoon before each meal. Then he'll have the rest of his food to forage. He did eat some moistened pellets today from a spoon and also from his "plate" (paper towels on cage grate which I change multiple times a day). Thanks!