Squirt isn’t drinking water.

[Renae]

Squirt is about 8 weeks old now, he is eating seed and pellets, but refuses to touch any kind of fresh stuff (sprouts and veggies) nor cooked stuff. He is only on 2 feedings a day, I have food available for him during the day, as well as water, but he isn’t drinking water, is there any way I can encourage him? I have shown it to him numerous times (I put a drop on his beak thinking maybe he would realize it is water), and put it right next to his food even. I noticed his poop is sometimes dry which I was told is a sign of dehydration, the only fluid he is getting is from the formula.

 

[penguin]

Try PMing Srtiels, she has so much experience with babies. I wonder if maybe watering down the formula once a day would help? Just so that he gets water but still gets enough nutrients. I have no experience with hand feeding so I'm just brainstorming.

 

[Macawnutz]

I am not a little bird expert but usually the formula ( if not to thick ) is adequate water supply. Have you tried to give water by syringe? Drinking on thier own my just take more time.

 

[Renae]

Thank you both!

I have made a thread on a Cockatiel forum that Susanne (srtiels) is on too, see what they say over there. I wasn’t sure if the formula being the only fluid was adequate enough, but if it is, I would feel much better then. I haven’t tried to give him water from the syringe either, I will have to try that.

 

[greymatron]

Wait to feed water until the other forum says. My two cents...If its anything like breastmilk, its roughly, what, 80% water? They are getting their water source through the formula they are eating. To me I would wait until