Introducing boiled egg while handfeeding

[Babs _Owner]

Im handfeeding 4 gouldian juveniles who are only at the stage of picking a bit of millet for now.

I know how VERY important it is for them to get protein in their first molt later and would like to introduce them to taste of boiled egg early.

Is it okay to puree some boiled egg and give it to them by handfeeding now? Is it okay for me to substitute one formula feeding for one mushy boiled egg feeding a day?

Im more worried about crop issues if I do this, but I think it would be great if they loved egg enough to eat a lot of it during molt season.

Two of my purchased gouldians dont like boiled egg at all (only shells), and I dont want these babies to snub their noses at boiled egg later.

[debbie276]

I wouldn't add the egg to the handfeeding formula, the formula is a complete food.
Once they fledge I put mashed hard boiled egg in a shallow dish with millet or spray millet and let them learn how to pick it up and eat it. You should also have a water dish in with them.
To wean your chicks you are going to have to cut back on the handfeedings. If you don't they will look to you for food for a very long time, well past time to be weaned. If they are picking at the food you are probably down to 3 feedings a day, breakfast lunch and dinner? Possibly four with a nighttime snack?
If you can put them in with adult birds they will learn much faster.

good luck

[Babs _Owner]

debbie276

Ahhh, okay I will cut down the feeding starting today. I was contemplating housing them with Brat & Ricco, since I am discouraging breeding between those two (the pair that dont sit on their eggs).

Juvies are perching nicely on all levels of the cage, I have a heat lamp for warmth on one side (they enjoy it alot).

I do keep a nice reptile rock style bowl with about 1/2 inch of water on the cage floor. They dont seem interested in drinking yet

[lovezebs]

Babs

At this stage, they are probably getting enough water through their formula, which is why they are not showing interest in water as yet, but they should be picking up on it pretty soon.

If you put them in with Brat and Ricco, they will start picking up on eating and drinking from the older birds, through the monkey see, monkey do method.

Give them a big smooch from Aunty Elana

[Babs _Owner]

lovezebs

Awww Since they still let me hold them, I will be sure to give them a big ole smoochie and cuddles from you!

[debbie276]

I think it would be a great idea to put them in with your other adults but be sure to watch for a bit in case there is trouble. While gouldians readily accept others there still could be an adjustment stage.

Not sure how old your chicks are but by about 6 weeks of age goulds usually wean, but assume yours will be a bit longer because they are handfed.

good luck

[Babs _Owner]

debbie276


Gotcha! Thanks Debbie!

[Sally]

My hand-feds, just like my parent-raised fledglings, always tried egg food (mixed with veggies) and spray millet as their first real food, both items are easy for them to eat. I agree with debbie276, if you can put them with some adults as teacher birds, they will learn even more quickly to eat real food and use whatever water source you provide, whether it is tubes or bowls.

[Babs _Owner]

Sally

Thanks Sally! Getting them to enjoy boiled eggs are a priority for me. The first molt makes me nervous and I want them to be well prepared

[lovezebs]

Babs

Hi Babs.

I think it would be ok to offer a bit of egg in a little dish, to see if they will try it on their own. My fledglings, are always trying new things at this stage. They try millet spray, and egg, cucumber seems to always be a big hit with the young fry.

I wouldn't however add it to the handfeeding formula, or try to handfeed it to them.

[Babs _Owner]

lovezebs

Okay dokay. Today they are mostly sitting on the perch waiting for me to feed them. Im spacing their feedings farther out to encourage more foraging. The oldest is having a go at the seed bowl from time to time which is very good.

Im going to introduce the egg first thing tomorrow morning (instead of an immediate handfeeding ) give them a chance to peck at it a little while before their morning meal ;)

[lovezebs]

Babs

Sounds like a plan.
It's soft and yummy, don't have to get Bubba to chew it for them an' all .

[debbie276]

If you spread the hard boiled egg thinly on a dish it will dry out rather then go off so you can leave it in all day.

[Babs _Owner]

lovezebs

Hahaha, I remember chewing my sons meat when he was a toddler. Oh how gross is that.

Hmmmmmmm, Im going to remind him I did that for him tonight just to send him to therapy. Thanks for the reminder Elana!! *snicker*

debbie276


It's really humid where I live and with the organic brand eggs I use, they start to smell bad after 4-5 hours out. I never thought to let them dry out thin. Ill try that on a test plate in the kitchen and see how it goes.

[lovezebs]

Babs

Ummmm..... chewing his meat.... errr.... ok.... WHY??? You got me there girlie. I must say, I've never chewed food for my kids....

Regarding eggs.
I'd put out small amounts every few hours, fridge the rest, easy-peasy .