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cockatoo refusing formula help!

vaimeev

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I adopted a umbrella cockatoo from a breeder recently on 2 feedings a day. I handfed my macaw years ago no problem so I thought I could handle one more baby. well...he doesn't want to eat his formula.I got him to eat some but he doesn't beg for it and kept running away. is it the syringe? do I try a spoon? is he ready to be weaned? he turns 15 weeks tommarow. I have been offering chop and fruit (he hasn't touched it) and pellets millet nuts and nutriberries. those he is interested in. I'm worried it's too soon. please help!
 

WendyN

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:bump4:
 

JLcribber

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Honestly my friend you should be taking the bird back to the breeder you "bought" it from and shame on him for selling it to you. That bird has seriously "regressed" as most of them do. At 15 weeks its not even close to being weaned and fledged. It will take a full year for that.

Here is what you need to know about this whole process.

Abundance weaning and fledging.

You should give this a read too.
Weaning Sadie
 

Holiday

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I haven't handfed that much, but I do know that when the feeder changes, it can be a very tough time for the baby. You have to develop a technique and a feeding relationship with the baby--a rhythm. My RFM was reluctant to eat for me at first, and I changed the size of the syringe (went smaller) and the temperature of the formula a hair warmer. No more problems.
 

camelotshadow

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Did the breeder tell you the formula & how it was fed?
I know little on the age UC wean but most important is to weigh the bird.
If its losing weight & not eating enough it should go back to the breeder.

It might not want chop as maybe it never had any Good its interested in pellets n seeds but is it eating enough?

John knows toos & says 15 weeks is too young for a too to wean so read his advice.

Baby need a scale stat. Needs to eat. Does his crop get full? Does it empty?

He might have gotten a sour or impacted crop & it's hard for him to eat. Things can go wrong when an inexperienced person or even an experienced person handfeed a baby.

Either get him back to the breeder or to a vet as a couple days of not eating & you could lose him.

You tried but it doesn;t seem to be working out. Get help.

Good Luck
 

SpecialistElbru

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Are you able to get any help from the breeder? When it comes to hand-feeding there are so many things that can go wrong and SOMETIMES it takes an experienced hand feeding person to see what is going wrong before it gets serious. This is why I believe California did the right thing when they made it illegal to sell an un-weened chick to anyone who is not certified to hand feed chicks.

You just plopped down cash for your bird, is the breeder going to give you any support, or is it wham-bam thank-you mam?
 

iamwhoiam

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The baby may be very scared by the new environment and new people. I assume that you are feeding the same formula and using the same syringes or spoons that the breeder used. If you can, please take him back to the breeder and have that person complete the handfeeding or at least call the breeder for advice and guidance.

Did you get a baseline weight from the breeder or did you weigh him when you first got him and have you been weighing him daily? How long have you had him?
 
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Macawnutz

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What are you feeding? How are you feeding it? What is your babies weight in grams, how much have they lost? What consistency is the formula, the temperature? Changes in thickness or temp can make a huge difference. Feed formula at around 105 degrees, much warmer and you can burn the crop. Do not microwave the formula. Make new formula every feeding. Check the expiration dates on the container. Keep all feeding utensils very clean, it's very easy for a baby to develop a bacterial or yeast infection. Have you seen a vet to check for that?
 

vaimeev

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I introduced a spoon instead of a syringe and he ate some. I talked to the breeder and he said to feed him 3 times a day since he isnt eatting alot and monitor his weight. he is eatting Tons of other stuff which is great. just wish he would cooperate better. love him to bits already he's such a character. imma have to try giving it to him a little warmer then thanks.
 

vaimeev

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I am feeding zupreem embrace.
I mix the formula with hot bottled water and serve it at 105 degrees with the consistency of thick but not too thick. I'm getting a scale tommarow to keep track of his weight. he is eatting tons of food aside from the formula I'm just scared it's not enough
 

Macawnutz

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I am feeding zupreem embrace.
I mix the formula with hot bottled water and serve it at 105 degrees with the consistency of thick but not too thick. I'm getting a scale tommarow to keep track of his weight. he is eatting tons of food aside from the formula I'm just scared it's not enough

Weigh him at the same time every morning. Before he eats and after his first morning poop. Write it down. His morning weight and how many CC of formula he eats at every feeding. Is his crop emptying? It should empty over night. Is he warm enough and getting enough sleep? Is he exercising?

Can we see photos of your cutie? :shy:
 

iamwhoiam

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Keep us updated. It's great that you contacted the breeder and that you are getting the scale. Monitoring his weight is very important as well as monitoring his droppings.
 

vaimeev

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I have contacted the breeder and he gave me a little peice of mind. since he doesn't want to eat the full amount twice a day I'll be doing it 3 times a day. he wasn't too worried because of how much solid food he has been eatting lately.
 

vaimeev

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he doesn't sleep too much during the day. he much rather play. but he gets 12 hours of sleep a night
 

camelotshadow

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Monitor the weight as suggested. He could be mouthing the food/playing with it. You can't be sure how much solid food he s eating so that's a concern.
Make sure he is not losing weight & actually he should be gaining weight.

He's cute & he looks good. Want to make sure he is eating enough.
 

iamwhoiam

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He's beautiful!
 

karen256

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It could be that he's getting ready to fledge, it happens before they start to wean. They can lose a bit of weight then and may appear to be weaning but then they will go back to needing some feedings. However there might be other factors - such as you feeding him a little differently or giving him another brand of formula, which is making him eat less.
I would weigh him carefully, keep offering feedings, and make a vet appointment (even if he's healthy, it's a good time for a well bird checkup).
 
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