Hand Rearing query

[Cbone28]

I am currently hand rearing two cockatiels. The youngest one is fine and always hungry at feed time. The older of the two, over the last couple of days, is keen when i first begin feeding, but soon loses interest and wont except food. He/She is getting most of its feathers, has started whistling to me when i come in the room. I have tried making the food mixture thicker or thinner at various feeds. Is he/she ready for some other sort of food? Should i be concerned that i am not fully filling the crop at every feed time? At this stage i am only a little concerned as the bird is quite alert and curious about its surroundings, and it is not like it just sits in the corner all curled up.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Smiley]

How old are they...since the one that is feathered up..I would say try to feed him three times a day..put seed and some corn, peas..I use the frozzen ones...warm them up.Make shore they are not hot...I just find this a bit easyer for them,for they are soft..That is normal for a bird that is starting to wean....hope this helps



Natalie

[parrotpotential]

I agree with Natalie, sounds like it will wean earlier and is more interested in what is going on around it rather than food. Is it pecking at the floor? Sprinkle some seed on the floor, add some millet sprays, peas/corn or/and soaked seeds. You could also peg some wholemeal bread to the cage for them to nibble on.

[billspets]

Hello Cbone28
i would also recomend rice bubbles as well as thay are soft enough for the babies to eat
regards
bill

[Cbone28]

Thanks for the information. I fed them at lunch and he started off keen and lost interest quite quickly. The two of them are currently in a cardboard box but this weekend they will be shifted to a little cage, whereby i will be able to add these other items of interest.

Cheers