Handfeeding Your Baby Congo African Grey: A Week-by-Week Guide from 1 to 10 Weeks

Raising a baby Congo African Grey parrot is a rewarding journey that requires patience, precision, and love. These intelligent, charismatic birds need careful attention to their nutritional needs during their early weeks to grow into healthy, independent adults. Handfeeding is a critical part of this process, ensuring they receive the right amount of formula at the right frequency and temperature. This article provides a detailed week-by-week guide on handfeeding a baby Congo African Grey from 1 to 10 weeks, including feeding amounts, frequency, formula temperature, and the gradual transition to solid foods as weaning begins. By following these guidelines, you’ll help your feathered friend thrive.

Week 1: Fragile Beginnings

Feeding Amount: Approximately 1–1.5 ml per feeding. Frequency: Every 2 hours for 18 hours a day (9 feedings), skipping nighttime to allow the crop to empty.

Temperature: Formula should be 104–105°F (40–41°C). Test on your wrist to ensure it’s warm but not hot to avoid crop burns.

Details: At one week old, a baby Congo African Grey is tiny, weighing around 10–15 grams at hatching, and doubling to about 20–30 grams by week’s end. Their eyes are closed, and they’re entirely dependent on you. Use a small syringe (1–2 ml) to deliver a thin, smooth formula like Kaytee Exact Handfeeding Formula, mixed per the manufacturer’s instructions (typically 1 part formula to 6 parts water for this age). Feed slowly, ensuring the crop (a pouch in the throat) fills gently and empties completely between feedings. Keep the chick in a brooder at 96–98°F (35–36.5°C) with high humidity to mimic a nest. Clean and sanitize syringes after each use to prevent bacterial growth.

Tip: Weigh the chick daily using a gram scale to ensure steady weight gain (about 50–60 grams by week’s end). Consult an avian vet if the chick isn’t gaining or seems lethargic.

Week 2: Steady Growth

Feeding Amount: 2–3 ml per feeding. Frequency: Every 2–3 hours, 6–7 feedings daily (e.g., 6 AM, 9 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM, 6 PM, 9 PM, midnight).

Temperature: 104–105°F (40–41°C).

Details: By week two, the chick weighs around 50–80 grams, with eyes starting to open as tiny black dots. The formula can be slightly thicker (1 part formula to 4–5 parts water), but still smooth. Use a 5 ml syringe for easier feeding. The crop should feel soft and pliable when full, emptying before the next feeding. Maintain brooder temperature at 92–96°F (33.5–35°C) as the chick develops some down feathers. Watch for signs of hunger (e.g., bobbing head, chirping) or distress (e.g., fluffed feathers). The chick is active when awake but sleeps most of the time.

Tip: Handle the chick gently during feedings to build trust. Socializing now helps with taming later.

Week 3: Rapid Development

Feeding Amount: 4–8 ml per feeding. Frequency: Every 3–4 hours, 5–6 feedings daily (e.g., 6 AM, 10 AM, 2 PM, 6 PM, 10 PM).

Temperature: 104–105°F (40–41°C).

Details: Weighing 100–200 grams, the chick’s feathers begin to emerge, and eyes are partially open. Formula consistency thickens slightly (1 part formula to 3–4 parts water), and you may need a 10 ml syringe. Feed based on the chick’s hunger, typically 10–12% of body weight per feeding (e.g., a 150-gram chick gets 15–18 ml). The crop should empty completely at least once daily. Lower brooder temperature to 90–92°F (32–33.5°C) as feathers provide insulation. Move to a small open-top container with paper towels or wood shavings for bedding to encourage movement.

Tip: Monitor droppings for consistency (moist, dark with white urates). Inconsistent droppings may indicate digestive issues; consult a vet.

Week 4: Feathers and Mobility

Feeding Amount: 8–15 ml per feeding.

Frequency: Every 4 hours, 4–5 feedings daily (e.g., 7 AM, 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM, 11 PM).

Temperature: 104–105°F (40–41°C).

Details: At 200–300 grams, the chick looks more like a parrot, with pin feathers covering the body. Formula is thicker (1 part formula to 2–3 parts water), mimicking adult food texture. Feed 10–12% of body weight per feeding (e.g., a 250-gram chick gets 25–30 ml). The chick is more active, beginning to walk and explore. Move to a larger container with low perches to encourage coordination. Brooder temperature drops to 88–90°F (31–32°C). Start introducing a shallow dish of water for the chick to notice, though drinking is unlikely yet.

Tip: Avoid overfeeding; stop if the chick refuses formula or regurgitates. Clean any formula off feathers immediately to prevent matting.

Week 5–6: Preparing for Independence

Feeding Amount: 15–30 ml per feeding. Frequency: Every 6 hours, 3–4 feedings daily (e.g., 7 AM, 1 PM, 7 PM, midnight).

Temperature: 104–105°F (40–41°C).

Details: Weighing 300–400 grams, the chick is fully feathered and resembles a mini African Grey. Formula remains at 1:2–3 ratio, with feedings at 10–12% of body weight (e.g., a 400-gram chick gets 40–48 ml). Move to a cage with low perches and a ceramic dish of dry pellets (e.g., Harrison’s High Potency) on the floor, though the chick may only play with them. Brooder is no longer needed; maintain ambient temperature at 75–80°F (24–27°C). The chick’s crop should stay full for 4–6 hours. Some chicks nibble at soft foods like mashed banana or soaked pellets by week 6.

Tip: Hide during feeding times to encourage exploration of solid foods. African Greys may lose feeding response if fed too quickly or slowly; adjust syringe pace to their “pumping” rhythm.

Week 7–8: Exploring Solid Foods

Feeding Amount: 30–50 ml per feeding. Frequency: 3 feedings daily (e.g., 7 AM, 3 PM, 11 PM).

Temperature: 104–105°F (40–41°C).

Details: At 400–450 grams, the chick is active, climbing, and possibly perching. Feed 10–12% of body weight per feeding (e.g., a 450-gram chick gets 45–54 ml). Introduce warm, moistened pellets (soaked in water or mixed with applesauce) and soft foods like boiled sweet potato, chopped veggies (broccoli, carrots), or sprouted seeds in a dish. Place food bowls on the cage floor, as chicks spend time there. Water consumption may begin. Reduce formula gradually as the chick nibbles more solids, but don’t rush weaning. Ambient temperature remains 75–80°F (24–27°C).

Tip: Offer a variety of textures to mimic wild foraging. Sprouted pulses and soft fruits are favorites. Weigh weekly to ensure no rapid weight loss (10–15% loss during weaning is normal).

Week 9–10: Transition to Weaning

Feeding Amount: 40–50 ml per feeding, reducing as solid food intake increases.

Frequency: 2 feedings daily (e.g., 7 AM, 9 PM). Temperature: 104–105°F (40–41°C).

Details: Weighing 400–500 grams, the chick is nearly fully grown and actively eating solid foods. Feed 8–10% of body weight per feeding (e.g., a 450-gram chick gets 36–45 ml). Provide a constant supply of dry pellets, fresh water, and daily offerings of chopped fruits (e.g., mango, apple), vegetables, and soft foods like scrambled egg or boiled rice. By week 10, some chicks reject midday feedings, signaling weaning progress. Use a spoon to mix small chunks of solid food into formula to encourage chewing. Maintain cage setup with food and water bowls accessible.

Tip: Practice “abundance weaning” by offering formula alongside plentiful solid foods, letting the chick decide when to stop handfeeding. Never force weaning by withholding formula, as this can cause stress or starvation.

Transition to Independent Eating (Weeks 11–12 and Beyond)

By weeks 11–12, most Congo African Greys are eating solid foods consistently, though some may accept “top-up” formula feedings (10–20 ml, 1–2 times daily) until 14 weeks. Gradually reduce formula to one evening feeding, then eliminate it when the chick refuses or maintains weight on solids alone (typically 400–450 grams). A healthy diet includes 60–80% pellets, 20–30% vegetables and greens (e.g., kale, broccoli), and 5–10% fruits and treats (e.g., nuts, sprouted seeds). Monitor weight weekly for a month post-weaning to ensure stability. If the chick loses more than 15% of body weight or seems lethargic, resume formula feedings and consult a vet.

Tip: Encourage foraging by hiding food in toys or offering whole vegetables. Socialize during meals by eating together to model eating behavior, as Greys learn by observation.

Key Considerations

• Formula Choice: Use a high-quality commercial formula like Kaytee Exact or Roudybush, with 8–10% fat and 18–22% protein for African Greys. Follow mixing instructions precisely.

• Hygiene: Sterilize syringes, spoons, and dishes after each use. Remove uneaten moist foods within 4 hours to prevent spoilage.

• Stress Management: Minimize handling during feedings for very young chicks, but increase gentle interaction from week 3 to socialize. For chicks moved to a new home at 10 weeks, offer formula for a few days to ease stress.

• Veterinary Support: Regular check-ups ensure proper growth. Seek immediate help for crop stasis, rapid weight loss, or refusal to eat.

A Heartwarming Journey

Handfeeding a baby Congo African Grey is like nurturing a tiny, feathered genius. Each feeding builds trust, and watching your chick grow from a helpless hatchling to a curious, nibbling parrot is pure magic. Picture your Grey at 10 weeks, playfully tossing a pellet or mimicking your “hello” while munching on a carrot—moments that make the effort worthwhile. By carefully adjusting feeding amounts, frequency, and temperature, and introducing solids thoughtfully, you’re setting your parrot up for a healthy, happy life. Visit our “New Parrots” page to meet our hand-raised baby Congo African Grey and start this incredible journey today!