Hey everyone. Just wanted to know if anyone else has had problems getting a baby bird to wean off of handfeeding? I recently bought a 4 month old Goffin cockatoo. He is still on 1 feeding a day. I have never had a bird go this long and still be handfeeding. Was wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them.

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Originally posted by papetlover:
Hey everyone. Just wanted to know if anyone else has had problems getting a baby bird to wean off of handfeeding? I recently bought a 4 month old Goffin cockatoo. He is still on 1 feeding a day. I have never had a bird go this long and still be handfeeding. Was wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them.

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Hello, PP
Cockatoos wean on a very slow pace. It can take up to 7 months 'till a little Cockatoo Baby is completley weaned. You don't want to make the mistake and force-wean off. That could result in 'feather-plugging', and getting agressive.
Is it the 'latenight handfeeding' that you are doing right now? You can try to switch from 12.00 midnight to 11, then 10 and 9.00 PM, to make it easier on you, and you don't have to stay up that long or get up in the middle of the night. LOL I know how hard that can be sometimes. I'am handfeeding 12 Babybirds right now. LOL
But anyways, congratulation to your little Goffin, they are so adorable. Always wanted One.
Did you see the pictures that I posted of my Birdies here. Have a picture of my African Grey Baby posted, it's growing so fast now. 12 weeks old now, has all his feathers, ect. And is just learning the "wolfs-whistle".

Best wishes, Tiffany in Florida

Tiffany,

Thanks for letting me know. The person I got him from sold him to me cause she was use to her other Goffins weaning by 12 weeks. I am doing the one feeding at nighttime, but already have him use to getting it around 8 PM.

Wow, 12 weeks that seems real young to be weaning a large bird like that. I am with Tiffany, I have heard that the cockatoos, are slow to wean. Wish I could be more helpful.

I have had 1 cockatiel that just didn't want to wean. To this day she will still eat the formula if giving a chance. She was about 9 to 10 weeks when she had her last feeding. But to this day she will still eat it if given a chance.

OK, I am a little concerned about Zipper, yes that is what I named the Goffin. The gal I got him from fed him last night before I brought him home. She fed him 35cc of formula. Well today I noticed him picking at his food and when I went to handfeed him, he kept spitting it back at me???? Is it possible the only reason he was still being handfed by her is simply because he associated her with food, and does NOT do this with me? I only managed to get 5cc of formula into him, he simply did not want it. Yes it was mixed correctly, correct temp and all, he simply did not want to eat. Now when my parakeets did this, they started eating on their own. I am probably over reacting due to the stressful day I have had, but at the same time do not want to jepordize this guy.

PP, put him on a little scale to see how much he weighs. Do that every day at appx. the same time. If he is gaining weight or at least does not loose weight you know he is eating, and will be okay with it.
Some Babies have a difficult time when they get into a new enviorment, and need some time. Try to handfeed him again, give him some time to adjust to you and your voice, ect.
Cockatoos a little Snuggle Bunnies, snuggle with hime, make him feel comfortable with you, ect.
He will be fine.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to e-mail me. I will be more than happy to help if any possible, okay?

Best wishes, Tiffany

I walked into my birdroom this morning the Zipper was rooting through his seed cup picking out his favs and eating them. He likes dried corn .

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Originally posted by papetlover:
I walked into my birdroom this morning the Zipper was rooting through his seed cup picking out his favs and eating them. He likes dried corn .

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..........great PP, guess he likes to eat on his own then. Makes it easier on you, that's for sure. LOL
Tiffany