How to Hand-Feed Freshly Hatched Gouldians

[Ontariomama]

I don't have this issue at the moment, and I've read all the info on how to make a brooder out of a heated baby-wipe container. Now, IF I ever have to hand-raise babies, I'd like to know how to do it. I can't find any stickies with that information. Better to have the information now, then scrambling to find it later. Hopefully, I'll never have to use it.

[mayble]

It's interesting you should post this today.
I got a peek at my first Society hatchling today, and thought "That gaping mouth is sooo tiny! How do people manage to hand-feed finches?"
I honestly don't think I could do it, but I'm guessing I'd have to try if it came down to it.

The Finch Info center has a good step-by-step article on it.
http://www.finchinfo.com/breeding/handfeeding.php

Here's hoping we never need it!

[Mae]

You should look for an avian vet nearby, they are great for showing you hands on how to do things. Also, I would get all the supply's you need to feed to keep on hand. I feed my birds Harrison so I have a bag of Harrison's neonate formula just in case because its hard to find (I order it online) and you don't want to change your feeding formula on them.

[ac12]

WARNING handfeeding has a HIGH mortality rate.
I tried 4 times and failed all 4 times.
I use fosters whenever I can, because the societies feed the chicks soooo much better than I ever can.

try doing a search on hand feeding

- I use LaFebers Nutri Start as the feeding formula. It mixes with water easier than Kaytee Exact.
- There are several posts here about mixing and feeding the hatchlings.
- For me it was a LOT harder than it looks in the videos. I had trouble keeping the food at the correct temp, and getting the consistency right.
- I first feed with a FLAT toothpick. Scoop a TINY bit on and let them lick it off the toothpick.
- Then graduate to using a banding tool. Scoop a bit into the trough of the banding tool and again let them lick it off the banding tool.
- I never got to the point of using a pipete to put the food directly into the crop. This would be much fast than having them lick a tool. But you have to be VERY careful to put the pipete down the correct side of the mouth, or you will put food into the lungs and kill the chick.
- You have to be VERY careful when feeding to NOT get food into the lungs (they WILL DIE), or to overfeed them (even if they are still begging, watch the crop and just feed again later).

[Mae]

WARNING handfeeding has a HIGH mortality rate.
I tried 4 times and failed all 4 times.
I use fosters whenever I can, because the societies feed the chicks soooo much better than I ever can.

Very true! Out of the six finches I have attempted to hand feed, only one survived

[debbie276]

I use exact handfeeding formula and a banding tool as a spoon when I have to handfeed. There are very good directions for consistency on the package. It must start out almost water and increase in thickness as they grow.
Agreed, NO way an easy task. If you breed birds you should have handfeeding formula in the frig for emergencies. Hopefully you never have to use it but if you do it's there. I add handfeeding formula to my hard boiled eggs to dry it out a bit which adds all the vitamins and minerals the birds need so it's always in the house for emergencies.
There are also times when you just need to top off a chick leaving it in the nest. Also you could feed a tossed chick before putting it back in the nest.
If the parents are keeping the chick warm but not feeding well, there are times when all you have to do is supplement with formula leaving it in the nest. Most times after about 3 days the chicks starts to vocalize, getting louder each day, stimulating the parents to feed better. Once the chick has a good loud begging response the instinct of the adult birds kicks in and they feed much better.
There are times where this instinct is so strong that other adults, even mixed species, will feed fledglings that aren't their own.