I'm hand feeding Gouldian chick.

[Pukasand]

I've been hand feeding this for three days now. I can't believe I've managed to keep it alive. It is sooo tiny and just starting to cheep. I've added some pictures. Please excuse that they are a bit blurry. I'll keep you posted as it gets bigger. I think it will be a Black head, but the rest is up for grabs.

[debbie276]

Looks good!
best of luck and congratulations

[Toddmin]

Wow, how big is it? Would love to see something near it, as a reference scale.

[PrettyBird]

I handfed my first chick as well. It was a 3 day old blue gouldian. So they same age as this little one. Its ALOT of work handfeeding chicks from pretty much day 1, and felt that months went by lol. But in the end when they finally fledge you feel so good knowing that you were responsible for that.

good luck, and keep us updated

[Pukasand]

Hope this helps, Todd. It's the chick next to a dime.

[Pukasand]

Dee, This isn't my first time hand feeding, but it is to something so tiny. I used to raise hand reared Lovebirds years ago.
I had two first-time-Moms LG that laid in the same nest. They have tossed a total of 7 chicks. I put them back in the nest, but they all died except this one, which they tossed again. It's doing quite well. Keeping my fingers crossed. I've been feeding it every 2-3 hours. The loss of so many chicks makes me sick. Needless to say, I'm exhausted. But, as you say, the end result will be worth it.

[Sally]

Oh, that baby looks great! Yes, it is a lot of work, but so worth it. Just be sure and get some rest, those feedings seem to come around so fast, it's like you just fed and it is time to feed again! I had to start setting the oven timer, as I would forget when was the last time I fed! You should be able to sleep through the night now, I would feed the last feed about midnight, then set the alarm for 6am, and then after a while, you can go even longer during the night.

[finchandlovebird]

Congrats. I think hand-feeding chicks is a brave & wonderful thing to do. Don't know if I could handle it though myself. Keep us posted.

[Pukasand]

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. I can't believe the rate at which the chick is growing. I'll post another pic this wknd.

Sally, sleeping all night sounds like a real bonus to me. It seems the little piggy is getting spoiled. He/she cheeps and begs even when it's crop is full. I've been giving the last feeding around 10:30pm, then again at 3am. I was hoping the Zeb hen I had would foster, but wouldn't.

I've come up with a great incubator, though. (for the time being). I have an oil-filled electric heater that I keep next to the aviary with a pie tin of water on top for moisture. I turned the temp down to very low so the water is just above warm. Into that I put a tupperware container with about an inch of water so the chick's container doesn't sit directly on the heat. The chick's container is an 'I can't believe it's not butter' container with a crumpled up paper towel inside for the nest and a folded paper towel on top to keep the heat in. It's stays warm and cozy and the temp is constant. I'd like to crawl in there myself. Necessity really is the mother of invention.

[Toddmin]

Judy,

Thanks for the dime picture. Wow, that is so tiny! I would be scared I would hurt it when I picked it up! I am hoping my birds lay eggs soon and have babies. I will not be able to hand feed them while at work, so I hope I do not experience that situation. Let us know how it goes!

[ac12]

I wish you Good Luck.
It is a long haul, but if the chick survives, the satisfaction will be worth it.

[bugaboo5]

Good luck! I've been in your shoes before many times. The first two weeks of hand feeding is always a blur to me because I feel so sleep deprived, but it means much more to see life sustained through human effort! Best wishes and prayers sent for your continual good fortune with this lucky baby!

[Pukasand]

Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement. I finally decided to bring a blanket and pillow down to the couch in the living room. I am so tired, but it's getting better. After no one else would take care of this little one, I had two options: #1 let it die, or #2 give it my best shot. To all of those who said they couldn't do it, it's not much of a choice. I'm sure any/all of you could and would do the same. Prayers and luck are guiding me... plus a lot of reading on hand feeding. For the time being, all seems to be going good. I have learned to mix some Gerber's Applesauce baby food with some Pedialyte into the formula. I'm using Kaytee formula, but have been advised to use Lefeber's formula (on order) since it's main ingredient is rice, not corn like Kaytee. Been using a flat toothpick for feeding seed-size bites to our little 'Nicky' (a unisex name). I've also ordered a syringe with a feeding tip on it. We had a bout with air bubbles in the crop and I've learned how to 'burp' the chick. It is really feisty and vocal now. I'm adding more pics so you can see Nicky's growth. The 'I can't believe it's not butter' container is the 15 oz size. I'll keep you posted on problems and surprises, and of course, pictures. I love my Finch Forum family. .. don't know where else I'd get the information, support and backing. Thanks, again, ya'll.

[Sally]

Oh, it's really growing--looking good! You should be able to sleep through the night by now, but I agree, you are still sleep deprived. I like the Lafeber's better, it seems a little smoother too. You can probably stop using the pedialyte now, but I like using a bit of the baby applesauce in the formula, I think it helps keep the crop more acid. Some people think it adds too much sugar, which feeds a yeast infection, but yeast infections are less likely to thrive in acid conditions, I believe.

[dfcauley]

Great job Judy! I guess I am not as dedicated as you. I am also handfeeding a little shaftail right now. I don't get up in the night. I feed it at 8:00 and that's it until 5:00 the next morning. It has done fine.... I don't think the parents feed during the night. Get some rest!!!