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Weaning Indian Ringnecks2007-11-24 17:25:08

I've been handraising 2 Indian Ringnecks since they were 3 days old as the mother stopped feeding them after 1 had died. They are now 6 weeks old and although i have with suggestion from 4 bird breeders and parrot experts, started to feed them once a day, then halved their feeds, all the while trying to wean them onto seed and fruit am having absolutely no luck getting them to eat or even try anything other than the raising mixture. I may have babied them but have been strict with feeding and feel as thou I am starving them as they refuse to eat anything other than this, I've tried mashed apple, corn, seed, weaning pellets crushed, to no avail they will not keep anything in their mouth but toss it straight out.. I'm almost desperate as they climb the sides of the cage.

I've also put them out with my other 8 birds hoping they might see the others feeding from the seed and get the idea but thats not worked either, lol.. I'm in Brisbane and have even considered a parrot preschool.

Answers:

I would listen to the bird experts and rely on feeding them the way you have been in the past as a last resort. Feeding is a matter of survival, the birds must learn a new way to eat if they are to survive. It is in thier instincts to survive. If you have ever had children it is kind of like weaning the baby form the bottle. It is difficult at first to get the child to accept a new way of doing things. Your have to do it gradually and provide them with options for success. Offer the seed, weaning mix, ect. (or whatever they have been experimenting with the most often) first then take steps from there. The babies have to get used to the new texture and taste (with what little they have).