AboutRev. Dr. S.August Abbott Expertise Certified Avian Specialist; Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council member; Own animal rescue org; National Wildlife habitat #66378; bird care, nutrition & behavior consultant; International Assoc. of Animal Behavior Consultants Associate; National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club member; published bird care, info and behavior articles and guides.
Ongoing education in exotic bird behavior and nutrition
I can answer behavioral, nutritional, environmental, characteristic/personality questions as well as general health and health care.
No animal emergency can ever be addressed on the internet. We cannot see your animal, perform an examination, provide necessary care or medication.
Please value your companion for the priceless, living creature they are; not for what you might have paid for them.
Experience Certified Avian Specialist.
For more than 30 years I've worked with veterinarians, protective facilities, nature centers, preserves and on my own in providing care and education with regard to multiple animal species, including raptors (hawks, kestrals, owls, etc) and marsupials. In recent years I've focused on parrots, usually rescued from abusive or less than ideal situations and helping educate owners as to proper care. Expert in behavior studies and modification of problem behavior.
Organizations 4AnimalCare is the organization I run as an animal ministry; World Wildlife Association, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club and more
Publications Bird Talk Magazine articles about rescued and problem macaws.
Education/Credentials Doctorate, Ordained Minister
Question Hi Dr Abbott
Hi have a 5 week old baby Indian ringneck ( will be 6 weeks on Monday 22/9/2008) Brought him when he was 4 weeks old.
I have been feeding him handrearing formula with a syringe 4 x a day and it has been going really well. He usually has about 15ml at a feed. Since about two days ago, he has only been taking about 10 ml at a time and refuses to have more. Before his next feed is due he seems hungry and then gulps down about 2 spoons full and then refuses any more formula and falls asleep. Can it be that he is ready to wean? I have been putting down parakeet pellets, seeds and grated apple/pear for him. He nibbles at the pellets and fruit but does not chew and swallow it, so he is not getting any of it in. Am I in to much of a hurry to wean him. When and how do I wean him and please can you give me advice what foods to offer him? When should I start offering him water.
Should I force him to finish 15ml formula or should I leave him to eat less at a feed.
He is such a loveable happy little bird and spoiled silly.
Love him to bits.
Thanks and waiting anxiously for your advice
Monique
Answer It's just about time to start weaning, though it's not quite there yet.
When it’s time to wean a bird it’s a stressful event, often for both the bird and the human.
Decreasing the ‘baby food’ while increasing the pellet formula (strongly suggested as opposed to an all seed diet, which is not natural for a macaw) and trying various fresh foods is important.
Sometimes adding plain water to the pellets to create a ‘mush’ is more well accepted than going directly to pellets. Seeds should make up no more than (at most) 20% of their regular diet and fresh foods offered freely.
I have a lot more about nutritional needs at my site www.4AnimalCare.org/birds
It’s important to get regular weights on your bird as you’re weaning. A gram scale is the most accurate when it comes to birds – not ounces.
I’d weigh every other day until the weight seems to stabilize at about a year old, then I weigh once a week at the same time and day, keeping a record.
Whenever a bird’s weight goes 5% below the average weight, it’s time to have a full health evaluation.
Force weaning by denying the bird feedings is never a good idea. More details about specific weaning options are here: http://www.parrottalk.com/weaning.htm
Offer shallow dishes of food and remember, starting them on pellets now is easier than switching them later. Choose a type without artificial colors or added sugars.
You can also offer some well cooked carrots, very soft cooked brown rice, a bit of soft scrambled egg, even some whole grain (again, no added sugar and preferably no artificial coloring) cereal softened with a little natural apple juice.
Just be sure not to leave this in the cage more than an hour, two at most, otherwise the threat of bacterial growth increases.
Ideally you should be getting regular weights on weaning birds to be sure they are thriving. A bird requires a gram scale for weights. If you use a small, lightweight cloth to wrap them in – or a pillowcase – be sure to use the tare tool to subtract the weight of the cloth (or weigh the cloth alone first and record the weight so you can subtract it later).
Keeping the young ones within view of the parents might help set the example they need to eat on their own.
For more about bird nutrition check www.4AnimalCare.org/birds
