First attempt at hand feed.

[kyle]

Babs thanks for the tip! I put it in the freezer. This morning I discovered another chick. They had put him in a feed dish with powdered cuttlebone. He was covered with it. I put a few drops of warm water to clean him off and put him in the brooder. He did take a bite to eat. So now I'm back to two finches.
@lem2bert thank you I'll let you know how it goes.

[Babs _Owner]

kyle

If this is their first clutch I am hoping they get 'er done on round two! You remember it took Brat a few clutches to get it right and still she occasionally decides "I love all of you, but YOU!" and tosses that one and I have to raise it, then raises the others just fine.

As long as they arent mutilating or eating them, I'd give them another go.

Hope you enjoy your handfeeding journey. Keep me posted.

[kyle]

Babs thanks for your help Babs! My female has raised many clutches but her partner died and this is a new male. They raised their first clutch successfully this is the second clutch. It seems like they laid a clutch of 5 eggs started to brood and then laid six more eggs. These five hatched first and we're tossed she is still sitting on the six eggs which should hatch in a couple about 5 days. I think this is why she tossed them. I guess she decided to concentrate on the last six eggs. This has never happened before. Both finches just another feeding two drops each. Yay!

[Babs _Owner]

kyle

We have a member who's female lays large clutches, but will toss anything hatched over 6. So the hen decides that 6 is her limit. This may very well be the case for your hen. She knows its too much for her and she's culling the herd, so to speak.

Actually smart on her part from a survival standpoint.

They are up to two drops already!!! WOOOHOOO!!

[lem2bert]

kyle

Your welcome. Yippee they are eating !!! You can do it babies Sounds like you are doing a good job !!!

[lovezebs]

kyle

Keep up the good work Kyle.

It's challenging, but also so heartwarming to feed these tiny darlings and watch them grow.

Good luck.

[kyle]

lovezebs hi Elana, yes incredibly tiny! Both are eating so I'm hopeful.

[lovezebs]

kyle

Look at them snuggling into each other

[Fraza]

Looks like your doing great you will have very tamed birds soon

[lem2bert]

kyle

Oh my they are so tiny, It is amazing to see how small they are next to the coin . So glad they are eating for you

[Babs _Owner]

kyle

They are so darn cute! They look pink and well hydrated. great job!

I know its unnerving to handle them this tiny but mash down a flat bit of tommy hay or coco fiber underneath them.

The one time I used only flat paper towel in my brooder, my chick (her owner calls her Beans) got splayed leg. I was lucky I found a lovely woman who bought 3 gouldians from me and I gave her Beans for free....she lives in her flight cage where all the perches have traction for her.

But I still feel bad the condition was caused early on by me using flat paper towels. It's slippery and those little forming legs cant get any traction on it.

Once they have better traction, you'll also notice they are better able to position themselves with their heads upwards while begging. Makes it easier for you to feed too.

[kyle]

Hello all. One of the babies died last night. The first one however it's going strong! I did something so foolish though. I hung a little light from the side of my breeding cage so I could better see to feed the baby. I didn't realize till too late that it had Disturbed my nesting pair and they abandon their eggs. . When I discovered it all the eggs were cold and only a few days from hatching! I've put the eggs in the incubator but I don't expect to see anything from that. Lesson learned. There had been some chicks that are fully weaned and it was an opportunity to change things around. I don't think I fully realized how stuck in the house I would be. However I'm going to try and get this little guy through. .

[Babs _Owner]

kyle

Oh no....yep, some hen's get spooked easily and other's you cant get them off their eggs with a crowbar. Sorry to hear about the Kyle.

How warm is the brooder? Is it steady? A top on it that keeps out drafts?

Newly hatched 92-94°F (33.3-34.4 °C)
Older, but still unfeathered 90-92°F (32.2-33.3 °C)
Pin feathers present 85-90°F (29.4-32.2 °C)
Fully feathered 75-80°F (23.9-26.7 °C)
Weaned Room temperature

[kyle]

Babs hi Babs, more great information! I hadn't thought about the heat as the chick gets older. It's at the steady 95°. Another little problem I encountered was after feeding the chick some of the food got on its face and hardened a little. After feeding the first feeding this morning I took a warm wet Q-tip and got his little face clean. That was a challenge. LOL. Now I know after feeding I must clean his face. I was surprised watching your video how robust you chicks were to take the feed. My little guy is just starting now to recognize feeding time and cooperating. But not yet latching on as your chicks were.

[Babs _Owner]

kyle

If the formula is colder than the chick, the chick will flinch around (if thats the problem you're having).

If your chick is at 95 degrees, warm up the formula to 100 degrees and watch for hot pockets. When the formula is nice and warm they go for it harder.

Yeah wiping formula off those little faces will make your hands shake with anxiety when you aren't used to it. I remember those days.

Whatcha using to feed him with?