Now I've been hand feeding Mango since I brought him home last Saturday. That's been no problem.

But whats stressing me out is the weight loss. Now I know that babies loose weight as they wean.

Now add in the fledging. I know that babies loose weight when fledging.

Combine the two together and I know he's going to loose weight.

So why am I stressing? Because that is what mama's do!

Anyway. I'm not weighing him. I have a scale in my work truck that I've never taken out. I think I'll bring it into the house today. A little birdie on my shoulder suggested that.

Anyway back to loosing weight. So his chest is feeling mighty lean and his keel is noticeable to me. That picture of him in full flight, I think his chest looks horrible and sunken in. Nobody else seems to see that though or not enough to comment.

This past week while I'm stressing about him loosing weight...stressing like any mama would...he's still a poop factory.

He's a poop factory so I know he's eating. He's food bowls don't really scream of eating good but he's pooping up a storm. I'm only hand feeding at night since he refuses the morning feeding.

So yesterday evening I'm loving up on him and thinking "damn" he doesn't feel quite as lean today. Feels like he's actually got a bit of meat on him. This morning he feels the same, like he's put some meat on.

I'm looking at his chest and it looks fuller today than it did yesterday and especially more than it did in the photo. Wow! His chest is magnificent!!

That's all. I just wanted to get that off my chest, been grinding on me the last couple of days.

He did nibble quite a bit on his freshies yesterday. He loves carrots and grapes. A bite or two of the paypaya. A good nibble on the corn on the cob coins. He was even nibbling on the cauliflower. I do tend to give more veggies than fruits and the rule.



Amazing what a difference a couple of grams will make eh?

Oh yeah, I used the last of my baby formula yesterday. Go figure huh? I know that tonight when I buy another bag that he'll probably start refusing it. The good side is that I may be seeing someone Saturday that I know will get use out of any that is left.

I know all too well what you're going through! I got Ollie when she was 8.5 weeks because she had a horrible breeder, and also because, well, I didn't know any better! While Ollie was weaning I was so obsessive about her weight. Actually, I still am! I hold my breath every time I put her on the scale (3-4 times weekly) and then breathe a sigh of relief when I see she's over the weight of what I consider too low (which really isn't too low at all). I also got in the habit of praising her whenever she stuck her head in her pellet bowl. Now she's always telling herself "Good girrrrrl, Ollie! Good!" as she eats, .

I will ever get another unweaned baby!!! It wasn't good for my heart!

Oh I would prefer to do the weaning any day and twice on Sundays! There is something about that type of bond that I'll always take it on if the opportunity presents.

But man oh man does it create some stress! It shouldn't, I've weaned dozens of birds. But it still causes stress, every time!

Maybe this time its stressing me more because of the pricetag that was attached. That was pretty hefty but worth every penny AND MORE!

LOL, that will get him to wean for sure, Murphy's Law!

I think the average 10% fledging weight loss is a good amount for them to lose and like you said, add that to the weaning process and it's no doubt you're visually seeing some results of the weight changes.

Glad to read you're now seeing changes for the better though. I certainly can relate to that little thing called 'worry' that we do ALL the time.

oh man, i can't even imagine that stress. i would be a nervous wreck if i had to wean a baby. that's good he is gaining weight, though. good luck!

Good that he is gaining. Even 15% loss is not out of the way, they pick up 5% very quickly again.

Murphy's Law DID NOT STRIKE!!!!

I picked up the ONLY bag of babyfood they had (I'm a bit ticked at myself for not ordering the macaw baby food). Same brand he's been on, the Exact at least.

My oldest set him on the table perch for feeding and he did his usual of flying off. He likes to exercise a bit before dinner. I finish mixing the food and set everything on the table. My oldest brings Mango to the table while I stepped back into the kitchen and decided that he wanted to feed him.

Now this is my difficult kid. My CD kid. I was amazed to see him feeding Mango like he's been doing it for years! Mango did great too!

I finished the feeding and that boy ate more tonight than he usually does. WTF is up with that, he's supposed to be weaning!!!

Anyway, finish feeding him the rest and he sits on the perch making his noises of contentment. Since I needed to clean his cage out I hand him a large zupreem pellet to amuse him while he waits.

He gobbled that up in seconds! Handed him more as he finished them. Very little crumbles on the towel below him so I know he ate them.

Today he devoured his goodie bowl of freshies too.

This boy is a piggie!

Now a question about the babyfood. The regular BF has less fat in it than the macaw variety (I compared labels when I got home). Is there something I can add to beef up the fat level or since he's eating regular food so well, just not worry about it? I read something somewhere about using some apple juice in lieu of water with the formula but don't remember specifics or if it would even apply in this situation.

Any thoughts?

If it were me I would find macaw hand feeding formula and keep using it. You bird needs the formula with more fat in it. Call around and find a store that has the correct on. Good luck and watch his weight.

I've NEVER run out of baby food before. NEVER

I'm so pissed at myself over this.

Don't be too hard on yourself - luckily everything seems Ok.

Are you going to bombard us with lots of baby photos???