Dirty nest

[ac12]

As Elana has said, I had to also force feed nestlings, until they realized that I was feeding them. Hopefully they start to beg soon.

gud luk

Tip for later, get a crop feeding syringe.
It will let you feed directly into the crop, for situations like this.
It is a little scary, but follow the online demos, and take it slow.
The first time I did it, I was SCARED. But after that, it became easier as I got more comfortable doing it.

[lovezebs]

ac12

I find Crop feeding when they're fledglings (or almost ready to fledge) and fighting you beak and claw very difficult, seeing as they'e struggling and it's so easy to aspirate them.

That's why I suggested a tooth pick. True, it takes longer, but it gives you so much more control over how much goes in and where it goes.

Feeding with a syringe or eye dropper, is a lot faster and easier when you have all these welcoming wide open mouths just waiting to be fed

[ac12]

Elana
The crop feeding is a long blunt needle that you put down into the crop, so you don't aspirate the chick. Yeah scary to do the first time. And since I have not done it for a while, the next time will be scary again.

And later when they will take a pipete it is FAST. Just have to be careful to not give them too much. Which is why for me it is easier when they are young and I can see the crop, and see when it seems full. Once the crop is covered with feathers, I loose that visual reference, and have trouble figuring out how much to feed. Cuz they will keep begging even with a full crop.

[lovezebs]

Cuz they will keep begging even with a full crop.

They are such wee piglets aren't they, lol.

[lovezebs]

skyjump100

Simon,

What is happening with those babies?
Have you managed to get any food into them???