FEEDING RINGNECK

Question
Hi,  I received a baby as a gift. Not sure how old he is.  )He startet grooming himself & flappig his wings about a week ago - if that will help.  They gave me a formula to feed him/her.  I just want to know, how do I go about getting him off the formula and feeding on his own, and when do I do this?  Then also, is it common for them to eat their own dropping?  I cuddle with him all the time, and he just loves the attention.  Hope it's not spoiling him too much!  Please help, as I want to take care of him/her properly.  Thanks for such a great site!!!  God Bless!!

Answer
Adel, th point of my previous answer was to ask M.C Birds here on AllExperts.com. She has extensive experience with ringnecks in paticular, and is in the same category with me..in the birds section. I thought she might be able to approximate his age for you.

Now, as to feeding your baby ringneck, I can't tell you exactly how to feed him without an age, it is all VERY age specific.

Does he have pin feathers, or is he getting in adult feathers? How often did they tell you to hand feed him? Birds start out needing to be hand-fed every two hours around the clock, and then it begins to go down in frequency as they age, but it is age specific.


I have issues with somebody selling an unweaned baby bird, and even more so without them telling the new owner how old the baby bird is, etc.

You can keep fresh fruits and veggies and seed in the cage and just watch when he begins to wean himself, but this is not the best approach.

Normally you start to wean at around 8 weeks old.

Also keep his cage clean so he is not eating his poop. He's to young to know better right now, normally his parents would be doing this, but since he is not weaned you will have to do so.