How to Wean a Macaw

During the weaning process, the macaw chick will show a decreased interest in hand-feeding formula. It will often play with the formula instead of consuming it. An interest in solid foods usually starts when the bird reaches 8 weeks old. It will begin to play with small bits of food. It will pick up the morsels and mouth them. The young parrot may even swallow tiny bits of fruit or vegetables. True weaning commences when a macaw reaches 12 to 16 weeks of age. Allow each bird to wean at its own pace. Some birds catch on quickly, but others may take weeks before they begin to understand and accept the concept of eating.

Things You'll Need

  • Scale
  • Pen
  • Notebook
  • Fruit
  • Vegetables
  • Corn on the cob
  • Peas in a shell
  • Peanut butter
  • Coconut milk
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Instructions

    • 1

      Weigh the chick daily when starting the weaning process. Record the chick's weight on a chart. The chick will loose approximately 10 percent to 25 percent of its body weight during weaning. This enables the chick to lose its chubbiness so it can fledge and learn flight.

    • 2

      Continue to hand-feed the macaw chick twice per day using hand-feeding formula. Do not force the chick to eat the formula but always offer it. Many chicks will play with the food and appear uninterested in eating. Never force the chick to eat against its will.

    • 3

      Provide a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables daily for the young macaw to sample and play with. Offer a piece of corn on the cob daily for the macaw to play with. At first it will view the corn on the cob as a toy but eventually it will begin to consume it. Fresh peas in a pod also make an ideal weaning food for the young macaw to enjoy playing with and eating.

    • 4

      Mash a cooked sweet potato and offer it to the young macaw. Consider mixing peanut butter and coconut milk into the substance to make it more palatable.

    • 5

      Provide the young macaw one hand-feeding per day when it appears to be eating an ample diet of foods. Watch the young bird closely to determine that it is eating well.

    • 6

      Eliminate the hand-feeding formula from the chick's diet when it ceases to beg for it. Once a young macaw ceases to beg for the formula it has successfully weaned.