Weaning an Umbrella Cockatoo

[Poetwink]

Hello,

I have an 8 week Old Umbrella cockatoo I'm currently hand feeding 3 times a day, any tips/suggestions as to when I should start introducing him to chop or water. I have experience weaning smaller birds such as ringnecks I know bigger birds are a bit more complex. I have been reading stories of Umbrellas sometimes reaching 1 year and still on formula and want to avoid that. My question is how soon can I start introducing chop and water while still hand feeding ?

any advice is appreciated picture of my baby CoJo below

 

[expressmailtome]

Bump.

 

[Icey]

@BrianB , @Toy may be able to help.

 

[BrianB]

Baby cockatoos are so cute. The only experience I have with raising umbrella cockatoos is at the store. They usually go on a tree stand with a platform base to prevent them from falling on the floor. The chop and pellets go in dishes at the bottom, and the water goes higher up. They have to work to climb up to the water dish so there is less chance that they will fall over and face plant into it. They make their way to it as they learn to climb. In a cage you could put the food down and the water a little higher up. Learning to climn helps with self-confidence too. I've seen cockatoos revert right after they wean so don't be surprised if it drags on a little longer than you expect.

 

[Poetwink]

Baby cockatoos are so cute. The only experience I have with raising umbrella cockatoos is at the store. They usually go on a tree stand with a platform base to prevent them from falling on the floor. The chop and pellets go in dishes at the bottom, and the water goes higher up. They have to work to climb up to the water dish so there is less chance that they will fall over and face plant into it. They make their way to it as they learn to climb. In a cage you could put the food down and the water a little higher up. Learning to climn helps with self-confidence too. I've seen cockatoos revert right after they wean so don't be surprised if it drags on a little longer than you expect.

thank you for the helpful information