Average Weights & Feedings
by Anne Johnson


These are average weights and schedules from my last few clutches of Dutch
Blue
Lovebirds. They are only averages, so don't worry if your babies do not
fall
within my averages. Genetics, clutch size, species, sex, and the age the
babies
are pulled for handfeeding will impact weight and size. The best indication
of
weight, is to feel the keel bone, while moving your hand from side to side
across the chest. The chest should feel well rounded not V-shaped. This is
more
important than the actual weight of the bird.

First day: 14 days old: 5 feeding: 3 to 5 cc per feeding
Second day: 15 days old: 4 feedings: taking 4 to 6 cc per feeding

I keep the babies on 4 feedings per day until they take 9 to 10cc per
feeding
then I drop them down to 3 feedings per day, which happens between 18 & 24
days
of age. The total volume of formula does not change, just the amount of
feedings. At this time I begin to introduce weaning foods, bird bread,
cherrios, rice crispy cereal, beans, pasta, whole wheat bread, steamed
veggies
& fruit. Also give them fresh water at this time and you will have to teach
them to drink. I gentle tap my finger in the dish so they know that
something
is in it. :)
Between 4 to 5 weeks they begin to take less formula as they get ready to
slim
down to fledge. At this time weaning foods should be in the cage at all
times.
Start offering pellets at this time too. I don't offer any seed until they
are
eating pellets.

14 days: 29g to 32g
16 days: 30g to 35g
17 days: 32g to 39g
18 days: 36g to 43g
19 days: 39g to 43g
20 days: 41g to 46g
21 days: 42g to 48g
22 days: 48g to 51g
23 days: 49g to 53g
24 days: 50g to 55g
25 days: 52g to 56g
26 days: 52g to 59g
27 days: 52g to 60g (at this point some of the birds have begun slimming
down and weights decreased by 1 to 2 grams)

At this age your birds may lose up to 15% of their body weight for
fledging.
Anymore than 15% is dangerous so weigh your birds daily. I will weight the
babies in the morning and in the evening during weaning to make sure that
they
are getting enough food.
At 5 to 6 weeks of age, weaning begins. I still offer formula 2x to 3x a
day,
because it seems to stimulate their appetite. They may only take a few
cc's,
but will immediately run to the food dish and begin eating on their own. I
weigh the birds in the evening too, to make sure they are eating enough on
their own to maintain their weight. Weights should begin to slowly increase
after fledging.
I usually don't sell the babies until they are 8 weeks old and are eating
enough food on their own to increase weight. It is stressful for babies to
go
to new homes. They may not eat very well for the first few days in their
new
homes, so make sure their weights are high before you let them leave your
home.
I also send home enough food to feed the babies for a few weeks and a bird
care
booklet that I wrote which contains info on care, diet, grooming, etc.