Hand Feeding

[Paul's Amazing Birds]

I'm still working half time so I don't really have the time it takes to incubate and hand feed babies.

But occasionally I come across an undernourished baby in the nest or a fledgling or two on the floor that looks a little hungry. So I'm looking for advice on what to feed babies and what equipment I need to acquire.
During the breeding and molting seasons I use a prepared nestling formula from Volkman called Petamine. I blend this vitamin fortified dry nestling food in a food processor with 7 hard boiled eggs - shells and all - and refill feeders every day at 5:pm. The mixture will keep in the frig for several days so I always have plenty on hand.

I see volumetric pipettes advertised on the Net but I'd like to know the best ways to do this successfully.

Thanks for your help
Paul.

[lovezebs]

Paul's

Usually if kids are still in the nest, they'll readily accept supplemental feedings . Once they have fledged, it's more difficult (where you have to force feed, until they will accept being fed).

I just use KAYTEE Exact hand feeding formula, with DHA and OMEGA-3.

With really tiny infants, I use the tip of a wooden tooth pick, or the tip of a small flossing stick. Slightly older and bigger babies, I use the larger end of the toothpick. Older yet, you can use a pipette. Older still, you can use a plastic syringe . A lot of people, use a banding tool.

[Sally]

I agree with Elana, once the babies have fledged, it seems they develop a fear of us, and it is hard to start hand feeding at that time. I happen to use Lafeber's Nutri-Start, I just find it to be a bit smoother than some of the others, so less likely to clog in a syringe. I have used toothpicks, fine artist's brushes, banding tools, pipettes, and syringes, depending on the size and age of the babies. Hand feeding formula powder keeps for ages in the freezer, so it is easy to have on hand.

[ac12]

I use Lafeber's Nutri-Start as well. It just mixes easier.

I have an infrared thermometer that I got for other reasons, but it makes it easy to determine the temp of the mix. I used to use a kitchen thermometer, but that was DIFFICULT to use with the small quantity I was mixing. The IR thermometer is much easier to use.

I've had a HARD time with hatchlings and few days old.
Once they are large enough to feed with a pipet, feeding becomes much easier.

[Babs _Owner]

I've always used kaytee. Its the only thing available here. It is gritty and for tiny babies you have to be very very careful. I use a very tiny eyedropper (medical pipette) my local drugstore was kind enough to give me. Its glass but allows complete control of the flow of formula.,.even to 1\2 a drop. And being glass its easy to sterilize between uses. I'm able to use this even on 1 day old hatchlings.

Takes a steady hand and focus and little sleep for a few days. Its beyond exhausting. I'm fortunate to have been a former mehendi artist, so I am used to the tiny details. Pay attention to your chick. Never give it more than it can swallow and never feed if its not begging unless you get more experienced.

If the chick gets cold it will not beg. Keep the little one at 90 degrees until the pin feathers show.

I've done lots of feedings,..,but these aren't farm animals. Best feedings done by parents.

[lovezebs]

Babs

Just a quick question Babs.

I would like to buy some glass pipettes, and was wondering what type yours is. Is it anything like these?

[Jen]

Glad this topic came up. I had four Gouldi babies about to fledge. I found one dead about three days ago at the entrance of the nest box. I could see (a little too late) that mom/dad had abandoned the babies at fledge. So I immediately took the remaining three babies inside and kept them warm and attempted to hand feed....emphasize on "attempted". As Elana mentioned, at this age they have grown fearful of us humans....so they don't beg for food. I had to force feed them and tonight, one actually begged when he saw me. The other two, not so....

The question is....how do you get them to eat without force??? All three are looking much better tonight, having full bellies, but it is a chore to get them to eat. Is there a secret to this that I don't know?? I put them all together to eat hoping that two will see the third one begging and getting rewarded and "catch on"!!! But so far...not....

Suggestions???

[Babs _Owner]

lovezebs

yep i am using the pippett in your picture that is 3rd from the top, except the tip on it is smaller. Mine has the same small black rubber top that is excellent for controlling the flow of formula. Those pippetts with the big round tops .....I wont use those, formula could come out too quickly.

Jen
The answer is YES! When one begs they should all open and beg . Please by all means feed them all together. You got it girl! They will catch on after a day or so. Its getting older chicks used to the "taste" of the formula that is the hardest. You are doing great so far. Good going!!

[lovezebs]

Jen

Hi Jenny,

If one starts begging (probably the youngest), then the others may follow. If not, you'll just have to be persistent and pry open their beaks every time. Try tapping the top of their beaks gently, or tickle the corners of their beaks with whichever utensil your using to feed them. Sometimes that will trigger them to open their mouth.

Good luck.

[lovezebs]

Babs

Thanks Babs.

[Jen]

lovezebs Bab

Tonight my three cuties are doing really well. Only the oldest guy will beg. The other two have to be forced fed to start, but then they figure out it's FOOD and they eat very well. Hopefully, tomorrow another baby will catch on and make it easier on this ole' grandma! I sooooo hope that these little guys make it! They are precious!

[lovezebs]

Jen

Wishing you all the best of luck my dear.
You know, these little ones that you hand feed, become all the more dear.

[ac12]

Good luck.
I had a few that would not beg and I had to force feed them. They were still in the nest, but their eyes were open, so they could SEE ME, and did not want to open up.

It took quite a while of force feeding, but they finally figured out that I was feeding them. Then they would suck and swallow the pipet down into their crop. It was kinda scary how far down they swallowed the pipet. But that made it easier to feed them, as I did not have to worry as much about aspirating them. I still had to be careful how much I fed them, so I did not overfill the crop, and have the food backup into their mouth where they could aspirate.

I never could get a fledgling to open up and eat, always had to force feed them, until the fosters took over.