Congo african grey

[Lisha]

Thank u guys so much i really appreciate it..

I have few more questions if u dont mind could u perhaps tell me how many times a day should he be fed? And also how would i know if hes getting enough food and if hes full? I was not present at the vet to ask her these questions my husband took our bird so really not sure hes only 17 weeks and to me Rio still doesnt know properly how to eat by himself he rather bites and throws it everywhere but my husband thinks otherwise and i just worry about my bird hes still a baby

[Pajarita]

ALL parrots throw most of the food all over the place so what he is doing is perfectly normal. It's actually an atavistic instinctual behavior part of the functions of their ecological niche because, by doing this, they are actually feeding ground species and disseminating seed. I would feed him twice a day, once early in the morning and again when the sun is halfway down (the dusk light doesn't only turn off their 'internal daily clock' but it also makes them hungry and, later, drowsy). In the morning, I would give him raw produce (one veggie, one fruit and a leafy green or a cruciform) and two different types of soft food served lukewarm (it reminds them of their parents feeding them and makes the food more palatable to them). Soft food is just what the name implies: food that is soft and easy to digest - things like gloop (this is what a lot of us feeds their birds in the morning), cooked whole grain couscous, pastina (the teeny tiny noodles used for soup) or polenta (coarsely ground corn flour) mixed with baby jar food (try to always use something rich in betacarotene), and even a small bowl with formula at the beginning. And, in the evening, I would give him the soft foods plus a good quality seed/nut mix (he will, most likely go for the nuts and seeds but you do want to give him the option).

[Lisha]

ive learnt something new already haha..I was thinking why does he throw hes food everywhere maybe he doesnt like it and doesnt want to eat it.Thought its more of a playtime then anything else.Thank u for the insight..I will def take ur advice and try this..Just curious how would i know if Rio is full or still hungry???

The formula i fed morning and night as was told by the pet store so sincing the vet told us to stop formula im kinda worried

[Pajarita]

No need to worry. Just put the formula in a little bowl so, if he wants it, he can still have some (you can start by putting some in a small spoon from the bowl and offering it to him but don't worry if he doesn't eat it, he might be tired of it by now -who wants to eat the same thing over and over and over every single day?).

As to whether he is eating enough, you could palpate his crop. If it's full, you will feel it easily with your fingers (it's like a longish sac placed on the right side of their neck -if the bird is facing you, it will be on your left- resting on the upper chest). But checking on the quantity of poop is also very effective (lots of poop, he is eating well, not enough poop, he is not eating well)

[Lisha]

Ok i will try it and keep u updated..Well when he was on formula hes poop used to be alot but since yesterday and today its little and not much urine present...If only i was able to go with him to the vet i would have asked so many questions..Again thank u so much for all ur help much appreciated

I think women just tend to worry alot lol if i could hand feed him forever i would be more at ease hahaha

[Pajarita]

No, no, that would not be good. Not good at all. Parrots (like children) need to eat on their own and, besides, handfeeding formulas are nothing but soy (cheapest source of protein on the planet and an allergen as well as having estrogenic AND goitrogenic side effects) and man-made vitamins: too high in protein, bad fiber and questionable nutrition... He is a million times better eating good, natural food on its own.