Weaning

Question
Chrys,

I have a 5 week old conure and I just got him/her.  I think I should be starting the weaning process but I am new to this.  I have read many things on weaning and think I am behind on this..  I want to start introducing new foods tomorrow, but I am not sure on what to introduce?
Do I just stick it in his cage?  Or do I hold him/her and try to intice him/her to eat it?  Also if I do not have a scale how am I suppose to know how much formula to give him/her?  My wife and I are very excited about this,  but the baby crys all the time as if it is hungry...  what do I need to do?


Answer
Hi, Charles.

I have a BIG problem with a breeder or pet shop that sells baby birds that are not yet weaned to people that do not know what they are doing!  The baby is most likely crying because it IS hungry.  

The weaning process (for conures) usually begins at 4 weeks of age if the bird is ready.  Visit my website for information on how to wean baby parrots (there's a process involved):

www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html

You need to present the food to the bird in a container of some sort that does not have sides until the baby bird gets used to food dishes.  Use a flat lid or something similar so the bird can see the food on the dish (it takes some time for a baby bird to see food down inside a regular food dish).  If the bird can see the food in a regular food dish, go ahead and use a regular dish.  Also offer the bird water in a dish or water bottle (preferred), but supervise the bird so s/he doesn't drown itself in the water dish (or keep the water level low enough that s/he can't drown).  It isn't necessary to hold the bird in your hands while the bird eats.

Baby parrot handfeeding formula isn't "weighed."  The amount you should feed is in cc's delivered down the throat of the baby bird with a handfeeding syringe.  Follow the directions on the back of the handfeeding formula for mixing the food.  

If I were you, I'd go back to the breeder or pet shop and have them show you how to handfeed this baby, tell you how much handfeeding formula this baby was being fed (and do the same) and have them provide instructions on weaning.  Better yet, allow them to wean this baby before you take it home.  There's much involved and if you don't get a handle on all of this right away, this baby could starve.

Chrys