so Dex turned 1 last month. He's still taking comfort feedings, which I attribute to his regression at 6-7 months, where he completely refused adult food and reverted back to 3 hand feedings a day.
my concern is with his behavior during the feedings. He'll beg, but although he gets excited when he sees the syringe, after just a little bit of food, he decides he's done. He won't let me hold his head (which I don't believe he likes, I allow enough space for him to bob, but he has a tendency to move his head back while feeding) and after a small amount, it starts to dribble out of his beak, despite bobbing. After tha t, he's done.
Am I doing something wrong? He had no issue with this as a baby. Maybe this is normal? I guess since he just want s it for the co mfort, even a tablespoon would be enough for him. Hes more independent and isn't going to just let me do whatever like when he was a baby.
It's not like he's going to starve. He eats plenty of adult food, this is just a comfort feeding. However, if I can make it more enjoyable for him, I'd like to. He doesn't seem distressed after all of it, he's grinding his beak now. Other than not wanting my hands anywhere near his head, he's content.
I've never hand fed before, but i think I did OK. No burnt or slow crops. No aspiration. I haven't found any info info on comfort feedings other than to do them until he stops asking. Nothing on the usual amount or anything.
As usual, I'm hoping I didn't do anything wrong, and it's normal for him to only want a little. I'm asking because I'm not sure, and want to be sure. I'd rather ask and be told it's fine than hope I'm doing the right thing.
Cockatoos are fragile (emotionally at least) and though it was silly of me to get him nearly a year ago (as of the first of june!) i'd like to think I'm doing well for him Considering and will continue to do so. If that means constantly asking silly questions, so be it! Like many of the other 'too parents say, I'll never be truly prepared... nor will I ever know anything, how ever I'd like to suck in as much info as possible.
my concern is with his behavior during the feedings. He'll beg, but although he gets excited when he sees the syringe, after just a little bit of food, he decides he's done. He won't let me hold his head (which I don't believe he likes, I allow enough space for him to bob, but he has a tendency to move his head back while feeding) and after a small amount, it starts to dribble out of his beak, despite bobbing. After tha t, he's done.
Am I doing something wrong? He had no issue with this as a baby. Maybe this is normal? I guess since he just want s it for the co mfort, even a tablespoon would be enough for him. Hes more independent and isn't going to just let me do whatever like when he was a baby.
It's not like he's going to starve. He eats plenty of adult food, this is just a comfort feeding. However, if I can make it more enjoyable for him, I'd like to. He doesn't seem distressed after all of it, he's grinding his beak now. Other than not wanting my hands anywhere near his head, he's content.
I've never hand fed before, but i think I did OK. No burnt or slow crops. No aspiration. I haven't found any info info on comfort feedings other than to do them until he stops asking. Nothing on the usual amount or anything.
As usual, I'm hoping I didn't do anything wrong, and it's normal for him to only want a little. I'm asking because I'm not sure, and want to be sure. I'd rather ask and be told it's fine than hope I'm doing the right thing.
Cockatoos are fragile (emotionally at least) and though it was silly of me to get him nearly a year ago (as of the first of june!) i'd like to think I'm doing well for him Considering and will continue to do so. If that means constantly asking silly questions, so be it! Like many of the other 'too parents say, I'll never be truly prepared... nor will I ever know anything, how ever I'd like to suck in as much info as possible.