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HELP, Am I making a mistake with Baby Cockatiel2007-11-24 17:19:50

I bought a baby on October 3. He was about 2.5 weeks old when I brought him home. He is fully feathered and pecks at seed and eats pleanty of mellet spray. I offer carrots, corn, lettus etc.. He still screams to be hand fed. Is this normal? I am afraid he isnt getting water. He climbs, perches and flaps his wings happily. But ever time he seems me, he starts screatching for food. What do I do, is it to early to stop handfeeding? Am I spoiling him? How can I be sure he is eating and drinking properly? If I continue to fed at his becking call, will he eat on his own? If I discontinue food, will he starve or dehydrate? He is in a cage with my older tiel, he is doing great, seems to know how to climb all over the cage and reaches tall perches. I have fed Kaytee Exact. He appears healthy, I just dont want to loose him, or spoil him. Please any advice would be appreciated.

Answers:

I know a woman with a 10 year old cockatoo who will not eat anything that's not offered from between the woman's lips.

Cockatiels ought to be weaned by 8 weeks old. Here is an article that details timelines and tricks for weaning tiels.

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww50eii.

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Yes is it way to early to stop hand feeding. I feed mine every time they beg for food. Always offer regular food and as they eat more and more seed they will eventually stop begging. Mine usually at 6 -7 weeks old.

He will get the water he needs from the formula. But do keep a shallow dish of water so he can learn to drink from a dish.