Hi. I just brought Tobey home yesterday morning. He came home with a few bags of various food, including cockatiel mix, and cockatiel sized pellets as well as a bag of mixed veggies and noodles. Now, the only thing I have seen him eat in 24 hrs is millet. I know he can't survive on that alone. He is doing a lot of "feed me!" behaviors even though he's supposedly weaned over a week. You know, the fluffed out, head bob, flappy wings you see baby birds do in the wild. I finally broke down out of concern and soaked some pellets in apple juice (unsweetened) and he ate that from between my fingers. Is it possible he's backsliding to wanting to be hand fed? Or is he trying to figure out his place? Who's momma? Or is he just adjusting and will eat when he gets hungry? Is where the food placed an issue?
Also should I set up a well birdie visit at the vets, just for some baseline?
It's been a long time since I had a qp ((q(cutie)P(ie)) so I'm more like a newbie than I thought!

Thanks for your help.
Lisa

in my experience most hand fed baby birds seem to do this. At least all of the ones that I have brought home that were weaned did this. Now our Quaker baby Mickey, I did have to hand feed for about 2 weeks after I got him, but I have hand fed literally hundreds of babies over the past 15 years so I know what I am doing, but I dont recommend it to someone who hasnt been taught the proper way to do it!

As far as him eating only millet that is very common for most birds that have been upset by a move, he will be fine and I can pretty much guarantee that he will be eating the other foods w/in a few days! Keep us updated on him and a picture is a good thing hint hint hint lol

He's a baby and he's just had a huge change in his life. He might revert a bit, like any baby would, seeking comfort in the familiar, so if you don't mind holding some food for him to get him to eat other things for a day or two, it will probably make him feel better to get the attention. Clyde won't try any new food unless I hold it for him. And he's grown up! I don't know much about Quakers except what Clyde is teaching me, but I've had plenty of puppies and kittens and they always revert a bit when they have a big change in their lives.

Thanks for the replies. I'm just a nervous mommy. I'm just afraid to do something wrong. We have lost a few animals the last few months so I'm more nervous than I ought to be. Granted they were old, but still! I'll keep an eye on him and just let him be himself. If it means millet and finger feeding than so be it. I'll try to include a picture here. Might have the one set up on me but I'm not sure.

Thanks bunches!
LisaClick to view attachment

I just wanted to update, Tobey was cleaning out his food dishes this evening! I have two set up for the two types of food and he was going thru and throwing some of it, and eating some as well. I can take a deep breath and not worry now. Thanks for your advice everyone.

Lisa & Tobey