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What is the best way to weanning a handfeeding bird2007-11-24 17:26:24

Share your tips PLZ

I usually tend to place bread and millet on the floor. However Ill still feed the bird 3 times a day. Maybe lesser each time, but a thicker formula.

What ill like to know is if there is a better method?

Answers:

We hand feed our conures and Pionus 2 times a day. When they turn their head and resist then they are done for that feeding. You want them to maintain weight without feeding them. Find out the ideal weight for your bird at its age then weigh it in grams before every feeding. Keep track of what it weighed and how much it ate.

Make sure that you are also giving him birdseed in his cage so he can eat that too. When he is mainaining his weight and eating less formula you can try taking him off the formula for a few days. Keep checking his weight though. If it starts to drop too much start feeding him a little formula again and repeat the process. Good luck!

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If the bird is picking at the millet branches and will peck at small seeds - you need to let it go on it's own with seed.

You don't say what kind of birds you have. I have handfed lovebirds for a couple of years. I never attempted to hand feed them before 3 wks. old - If your bird is able to pick at millet and eat small parakeet seed (regardless of bird type,parakeet seed is needed to start them off with hulling seed). Place your bird on the floor with nothing around it - if it flyes even one foot - the bird can eat seed- take it off the formula. If you place your bird on the floor and it can move it's wings but not fly at all (just trying to). the bird needs to be mainly on seed - I would offer only 1 small feeding of formula a day. They will fool you with their strength.

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Since you didn't mention the species of the bird you are hand feeding, I will go with generalities.