I have been hand feeding my african gray for 4 weeks but now she is not wanting to eat her baby formula. help?

Question

I got her at 4 week old. Now she is 8 she use to eat 35 ml of formula but now she is getting picky and not wanting to eat as much why> and what should I do.

Answer 1

When they start to get older, you do not have to feed them as often. Don't force her to eat more than she wants, you can cause her to aspirate. 8 weeks old is a little young for a grey to be weaned at, but she may be starting to get the urge to eat other food.  You can start putting pellets out for her and see if she picks at them or starts eating them.  Leave them in a little dish (just a few at first) and see if she eats them.  If she does, put more out for her.  Just use plain, not fruited pellets.  When she is weaned, keep her on a pelleted diet for her main foods. You can feed her fruits and veggies and table foods, but not until she is completely weaned.  Don't stop her formula until she completely refuses to eat any of it and is eating pellets all the time on her own.  Please read my profile.

Answer 2

Are you weaning her onto other food? Maybe she wants the other food instead. Did a breeder sale you this unweaned bird? Are you experienced in handfeeding birds? Sorry, the age of the bird concerns me.  

Answer 3

I volunteer in a wildlife museum hospital and mostly I care for baby birds; I have only done this for a few months, but I have learned that baby birds need fluid also. Is she drinking water on her own? If not, the method administered is vitally important so they don't  inhale fluids. For very small baby birds, use a small syringe and give only a few drops into their crop. If you can't get the syringe into their crop (on the right side of the bird - your left as you face it) you can put a very small drop on their tongue. Sometimes birds get clogged, and need fluid to relieve themselves. Check its vent and make sure it is not clogged. If the vent is clogged, use wet toilet paper gently to remove matter. I would also call your vet if this does not work, asap. It could also be your bird is ready for a variety of other foods. Your vet will be the best one to answer this.