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One of the new babies (Im guessing about 7 weeks) is really fighting the handrearing process. He is; however, quite happy to help himself to the container with the food in it. Usually I would take this as a sign that they are ready to start weaning but as he was parent fed until a few days ago it could just be that he isn't used to having syringes/spoons shoved in his face. If he is happy to feed himself and seems to be eating enough I can run with that.

The question I have is do I continue to offer the handrearing formula or start offering soggy pellets? My handrearing experience is with budgies not tiels, but I always thought weaning happened a little later (although this bird may be older than I thought). He flew easily from the ground to the top of the window 5m away today if thats any indication of age.

Ive kinda been thrown into this situation a little and am researching tiel development as we speak, but I figured there is a wealth of knowledge on this site so its a good place to start.

Bec

They do fledge before they wean, just to be sure you know that. Can you weigh them? That's the surest way to know if they're eating enough on their own to sustain their weight. But it gets tricky because they drop weight as they're fledging.

I often used Scenic handweaning pellets to supplement even clearly unweaned babies. It will NOT harm them in any way IF you can get enough into them. That can be a challenge if they're uninterested in being handfed by a human.

Yeh Im keeping a close eye on their weights to make sure they are getting enough. Im more worried about whether the nutrition in the handrearing formula is going to be better for him at this stage of development. I don't want to make the switch to pellets (and then sprouts, vegies etc) too early if it will stunt his growth.

Scenic handweaning pellets are formulated to provide what unweaned babies need. I don't know if the pellets you're using do that. Perhaps your vet will know.

Any idea if they are available in Australia? Might have to call the vet tomorrow and see what she recommends.

You could ask them: http://www.scenicbirdfood.com/handweaning.htm