15 days old zebras eating less and not making much noise

[SabaSaba]

Hi Everyone! Am new to the forum. Need an advice please.
I have 2 baby zebras of 14 and 15 days old. Had to hand feed them as the bird mom died when they were 4 days old. Got the fiding formulae from the vet and they are doing fine. Yesterday the older one
ate less and stopped making very vgorouse begging sounds. Today the other one started doing same. After the night (break of approx 7 hours) they still had food in the crops and today they ate at 7am and now 2pm and they still have food in crops and NOT ASKING for food. Otherwise they are quite active - stretching wings, flapping wings, jumping here and there. But also they started to make differnt noises - pipping and not "showting" and before. Are they sick? I never had expreince hand rasing chicks, please help!

[SabaSaba]

Hi Everyone! Am new to the forum. Need an advice please.
I have 2 baby zebras of 14 and 15 days old. Had to hand feed them as the bird mom died when they were 4 days old. Got the fiding formulae from the vet and they are doing fine. Yesterday the older one
ate less and stopped making very vgorouse begging sounds. Today the other one started doing same. After the night (break of approx 7 hours) they still had food in the crops and today they ate at 7am and now 2pm and they still have food in crops and NOT ASKING for food. Otherwise they are quite active - stretching wings, flapping wings, jumping here and there. But also they started to make differnt noises - pipping and not "showting" and before. Are they sick? I never had expreince hand rasing chicks, please help!

Just now (4pm here) I checked on them - they shouted a bit, each took approximately 1 pippet of food and quiet again - cleaning themselves, trying to pick something on the side of the box. Is it normal that they eat less? crops are full.

[debbie276]

If their crops are not emptying between feedings maybe they have slow crop. I would try warming them more and see if that helps.
With pin feathers the brooder should be at 85-90°F (29.4-32.2 °C)
Fully feathered the brooder should be at 75-80°F (23.9-26.7 °C)

Other common causes of crop stasis are over feeding and/or feeding cold formula.
If the crop is still emptying too slowly, there may be an infection. I would mix equal parts of hand feeding formula and infant applesauce. Feed that for the next 24 hours and then slowly return to just formula over another 24 hour period. The applesauce will lower the pH of the crop and should get rid of any infection. If none of that works I would consult your vet.

good luck

[SabaSaba]

Thank you so much, debbie276, for your prompt reply! I will rush to grocery shop now for the infant applesauce! :):) Checked the temp on the heating rug on the inside of the box (box is on the top of the heating pad) - yes, it was lower than 32, increased the temp on the pad, so inside on the bottom of the box is 32 now. Thank you!!!!

[SabaSaba]

Thank you so much, debbie276, I will rush now to the groceries for the infant applesauce! Thank you!

[lovezebs]

Hi Saba.

How are the little ones doing?

[Ginene]

Hope your babies start doing better...

[SabaSaba]

lovezebs, Ginene, thank you! I got the infant applesauce for them, fed it to them once already now at 8pm here (after 2 hours from previous feeding they are shouting again I love this noise!!! Crops are more empty by the older one and they did become more vocal . Keeping praying that they are even better tomorrow. Will surely keep you updates. THANK YOU SO MUCH !

[debbie276]

That is wonderful news!!
So happy for you, best of luck

[lovezebs]

Goodluck with babies and kind regards.

[SabaSaba]

Thank you all! Today they both were normal, am happy They were on applesauce added to their main formulae for 24 hours now ( a bit more actually), will gradually be returning to just formulae (as suggested by debbie276 . I kept checking diligently the temp in their box and the crops don't look "forever full", they empty quite well before the next feeding. We are now around 5 times feeding per day, with 7 hours brake at night). Is that correct? They are asking for food nicely and loudly, but I would not call them greedy though but overall they are active, stretching and flapping the wings. I noticed that they scratch themselves with one of the legs (mostly around the ear area) I would say quite often - can it be mites? what can I do to prevent the mites in such tiny creatures or they re too young for mites yet? Anyways in general they look well.

[lovezebs]

Glad to hear that your babies are feeling better. Lets hope that all goes well from hete on.

Goodluck