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WEANING TIPS
Weaning is a natural process, but is often the most difficult time in a young bird's life because it is learning to eat as an adult and become self-sufficient.
exact® Adolescent, exact® Conversion & Weaning or other exact® Original or Rainbow Daily Diets™ have unique shapes, which stimulate the baby's natural curiosity and tactile (touch) receptors in the mouth.
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As the baby bird begins to explore its environment, offer exact® in a dish with a separate dish of water available. |
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When the baby moves to one hand-feeding per day, hand-feed only at night so the baby has all day to investigate its new food. A very small amount of hand-feeding formula may be given in the morning to stimulate appetite. |
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Moisten the exact® product with water or fruit juice to further assist the bird in weaning. Remove moistened product within 4 hours to prevent spoilage. |
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Offer exact® by hand to encourage trial. It can also be mixed with prepared Hand-Feeding formula. This combination may be offered in a bowl or fed directly by spoon. |
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Treats, such as Kaytee Spray Millet or small amounts of fruits and vegetables, may also stimulate independent feeding when offered with exact®. |
To evaluate weaning status, gently check the crop of birds for food particles as evidence of consumption.
Also, carefully observe droppings.
These should remain olive brown and of similar consistency as when the baby was hand-fed.
Dark green, scant droppings generally indicate a lack of food in the digestive tract.
If this occurs, continue or increase the level of hand-feeding as necessary.
Weaning birds generally lose approximately 10% of their pre-weaning body weight.
While weaning ages vary, a chart is provided.
| BIRD |
* WEANING AGE (WEEK) |
| Amazon Parrot |
12 |
| Eclectus |
12 |
| Pionus |
10 |
| African Grey |
12 |
| Cockatoo |
12 |
| Cockatoo (Umbrella, Molucan) |
12 to 14 |
| Macaw (Mini) |
12 |
| Macaw (Medium, Large) |
16 |
| Quaker Parakeet/Monk Parrot |
10 |
| Indian Ringneck (Indian, African) |
10 |
| Conure |
10 |
| Cockatiel |
6-7 |
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These are typical weaning ages. They may vary by plus or minus 2 weeks (or possibly more), depending on feeding volumes, health and other factors. |
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