[Thaiguy]

Hello everyone. I haven't posted with you kind people for about six months. You last helped me ID a Thai Barbet. I still have an assortment of Thai birds living the life of luxury in my home. I now have a baby Indian Roller about a month or two of age. It seems he should be dipping into the food tray by himself, but he insists on my feeding him with a spoon ended straw. No matter what the food, he won't go it alone. My question is at what stage of development should a chick eat on his own? Is it telltale in the squawk, the feather or flight development, or simply forced by being ignored (at a reasonable age)? Thank you, Jonathan