Detailed Handfeeding for Newbies

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debbie276
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Re: Detailed Handfeeding for Newbies

Post by debbie276 » Wed Jun 01, 2011 11:20 am

I would use a banding tool, it's like a tiny spoon
Just wanted to follow-up with a picture showing the banding tool being used ...
Handfeeding1a.jpg
Handfeeding1b.jpg
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)

GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56

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Re: Detailed Handfeeding for Newbies

Post by ac12 » Fri Jun 03, 2011 1:46 pm

Seeing the trouble that I am having.
How do you keep the food at the correct temp. I put a 1/2 inch of hot water into a bowl to make a water bath. Then I put the food mix into a stainless steel condiment cup that I put into the water bath. The stainless steel cup heats up faster than a shot glass. The problem that I'm having is the water bath cools down too fast, and that cools down the food mix.

Next is how do you determine how liquidy to make the mix. I try but I can't seem to make it consistently the same consistency. And as I am feeding, the mix dries out/absorbs the water and gets thicker.
Gary

gouldians (GB,YB,BB), blackbelly firefinches (trying to breed), societies (foster parents).
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lovemyfinch
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Re: Detailed Handfeeding for Newbies

Post by lovemyfinch » Fri Jun 03, 2011 1:52 pm

Gary, in order to keep the formula the same consistancy I kept an eyedropper reader to add more water.
As for the temp. I have an electric kettle, I boiled the water and added a little bit to the bowl every once in a while.
Janine

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Re: Detailed Handfeeding for Newbies

Post by annague » Fri Jun 03, 2011 6:34 pm

Gary, they do have those electric rings that keep a coffee cup warm. You can set your bowl of formula on it -- it will keep it pretty hot so you'll have to check your temperature every time.

But, knowing how handy you are --- maybe you could put one of those voltage regulators on it and cut down the temperature and keep it just the right temperature? :wink:
Anna

Lots of Red Throat Parrot Finches, Forbes, Gouldians, BCCB's, RCCB's, Owls, Societies, and BB Fires. Plus, one wonderful 15 year old son, one wonderful husband and two rotten-to-the-core Border Terriers.

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Re: Detailed Handfeeding for Newbies

Post by ac12 » Fri Jun 03, 2011 6:40 pm

Earth to Gary....

Why didn't I think of a coffee cup warmer...duh...
I used one for MANY years. Now I just have to find it. If not, I think they are not very expensive.

Thanks Anna
Gary

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Re: Detailed Handfeeding for Newbies

Post by Sally » Sat Jun 04, 2011 4:40 pm

If you can't find a coffe cup warmer, Walmart had the same thing in the candle department called a candle warmer. I found the same thing as Anna, the warmer almost keeps the formula too hot--you can experiment around to find the best container, but if you keep your small formula container in a water bath, sitting on the warmer, it keeps it pretty good.

As far as consistency of the formula, all these formulas thicken as they sit and cool. I don't worry so much about the temperature of the formula (except for it not being too hot, as that will burn the crop) as much as the thickness of the formula. I'd rather keep that as consistent as possible. Janine's idea of keeping an eye dropper handy is perfect, and I just use some of the water bath water.
3 Purple Grenadiers, 1 Goldbreast + 1 cat.

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Re: Detailed Handfeeding for Newbies

Post by annague » Sun Jun 05, 2011 6:46 pm

I use the water bath water, too. :)

Gary, let us know how the coffee cup warmer or candle warmer works!
Anna

Lots of Red Throat Parrot Finches, Forbes, Gouldians, BCCB's, RCCB's, Owls, Societies, and BB Fires. Plus, one wonderful 15 year old son, one wonderful husband and two rotten-to-the-core Border Terriers.

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Re: Detailed Handfeeding for Newbies

Post by ac12 » Mon Jun 06, 2011 2:30 pm

I got my society hens to adopt the chick :D
But I will look for the cup warmer and keep it with the brooder for the next time that I will need it.

Thanks everyone for your help.
Gary

gouldians (GB,YB,BB), blackbelly firefinches (trying to breed), societies (foster parents).
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Re: Detailed Handfeeding for Newbies

Post by lovemyfinch » Mon Jun 06, 2011 8:51 pm

=D> =D> =D> =D> Gary, that is wonderful news.
And those societies deserve something a little extra for taking on a chick that is already a few days old =D> =D>
Janine

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Re: Detailed Handfeeding for Newbies

Post by annague » Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:05 pm

Yup... they're keepers for sure. I need to find some like that! :)
Anna

Lots of Red Throat Parrot Finches, Forbes, Gouldians, BCCB's, RCCB's, Owls, Societies, and BB Fires. Plus, one wonderful 15 year old son, one wonderful husband and two rotten-to-the-core Border Terriers.

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Re: Detailed Handfeeding for Newbies

Post by Sally » Tue Jun 14, 2011 2:00 am

Well, I thought I had posted this here already, but apparently not. When handfeeding the more insectivorous species, I have been told that the following formula gives them the higher protein they need:

Mix 1 part LaFeber's handfeeding formula with 2 parts Harrison's Neonate powder, then add water to get the consistency you want (very thin at first).

This has a higher protein content than the LaFeber's or Exact by themselves.

My last two BCCB handfeds and my RCCB handfed Peanut were raised on this formula.
3 Purple Grenadiers, 1 Goldbreast + 1 cat.

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Re: Detailed Handfeeding for Newbies

Post by debbie276 » Tue Jun 14, 2011 5:45 am

LaFeber's is 17% protein
Kaytee Exact is 22% protein
Neonate powder is 26% protein

What is the recommended protein level you need to get to?
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)

GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56

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Re: Detailed Handfeeding for Newbies

Post by Sally » Tue Jun 14, 2011 8:57 am

I'm not even sure how high you need to be with the protein--the guru who told me that passed before I could really pick his brain. But according to those protein levels, the LaFeber/Harrison mix would only be 1% higher than the Exact, so I wonder if there is more to it than just protein. I did ask the person who told me to use this mix why she didn't just feed Harrison's for the 26% protein, but she said that when she tried it, she had digestive problems with the babies--does that mean that 26% is too high? This formula has worked for her, and in my limited experience with it, it has worked for me.
3 Purple Grenadiers, 1 Goldbreast + 1 cat.

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Re: Detailed Handfeeding for Newbies

Post by finchmix22 » Tue Jun 14, 2011 11:46 am

I have not see Harrison's neonate powder. Where do you buy that brand? I see the Kaytee at the petstore, but was not sure that brand was of high enough quality. :?
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Re: Detailed Handfeeding for Newbies

Post by Sally » Tue Jun 14, 2011 1:28 pm

Harrison's lists local vets that carry their products, but I only found one, I think in Southlake, that had the Neonate. I ordered online from the Harrison's website. This stuff needs to be kept refrigerated. I actually keep all my handfeeding foods in the freezer.
3 Purple Grenadiers, 1 Goldbreast + 1 cat.

National Finch & Softbill Society - http://www.nfss.org

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