Hand rearing a Gouldian chick

[skyjump100]

Hi All,

I hope I have put this post in the right place........

I have been put in the position of trying to hand rear a Gouldian chick. The little chap, or chapette, isa little fighter and doing his best to carry on. So far he looks really chipper and activebut I do have one concern as this is my first time hand feeding.

I hae most of the right gear and food so Im not worried about that but there seems to be a lot of air in his crop. I understand that you can 'burp' the air sac by massaging it but so far all attempts dont seem to be working.

He is eating fine and grabs the syringe tip like a limpet

Any thoughts????
Thanks
Simon

[debbie276]

I would not recommend trying to burp the crop of your chick, it is very easy to aspirate them that way and most always is fatal.
Air in their crop is not a problem and most always goes away on it's own. You should always allow the crop to empty fully before each feeding.

Handfeeding is very hard and time consuming, best of luck

[skyjump100]

Thanks Debbie,

I am relieved to hear that I shouldn;t burp the wee fella! I didnt like trying so won't anymore.

To be honest hand rearing was the very last option and possibly something I will never do again as I find it very stressful

I have everything crossed for the wee baby!

[Stuart whiting]

I would not recommend trying to burp the crop of your chick, it is very easy to aspirate them that way and most always is fatal.
Air in their crop is not a problem and most always goes away on it's own. You should always allow the crop to empty fully before each feeding.

Handfeeding is very hard and time consuming, best of luck

Very true , quite agree

[Sally]

skyjump100 Good luck with the hand feeding, it is a very difficult and time-consuming process, but also very rewarding. I don't worry about air in the crop, it always seems to resolve itself, and I'm sure I would kill a baby trying to burp it! These babies are so tiny and delicate anyway, it is not like trying to burp a parrot baby.

[lovezebs]

skyjump100

How is your little fella doing?

Personally, I love feeding these babies.
I will supplement feed these little guys, even when parents are feeding, because I find it so enjoyable, and find that these babies become more calm around people even as they're older.

Good luck.

[skyjump100]

lovezebs

Hi Elana,

The little one, who we have now named Heeshe, is doing really well thank you. He is taking his food really well and I am amazed at how strong he is when he grabs the syringe! He is a funny fellow and when I go to feed him he is always on his back snoozing away. He has grown a lot which continues to amaze me.

I am getting the hang of feeding him without filling his crop with air - it's all a confidence thing

I hate to say it but I am quite enjoying it, so long may it last and there are no future problems

[lovezebs]

skyjump100

You might end up with a tame Gouldian, Simon.
If you handle baby a lot, and interact with him a lot, he will become very comfortable with you.

How old is Heshe now?

[Stuart whiting]

Nice one Simon, hope all goes well for you

[skyjump100]

lovezebs

He is 5 days old now although it seems like weeks already lol.

[Stuart whiting]

lovezebs

He is 5 days old now although it seems like weeks already lol.

Wey to go mate

[lovezebs]

skyjump100

Sounds like your doing a great job.
Once you get over those first few scary days, life gets easier.

[skyjump100]

Here is out little Heeshe who is our first attempt at hand rearing an abandoned Gouldian chick. He is now 8 days old and seems to be going well. Fingers crossed it continues to go well

[Stuart whiting]

Here is out little Heeshe who is our first attempt at hand rearing an abandoned Gouldian chick. He is now 8 days old and seems to be going well. Fingers crossed it continues to go well

Pucka, wey to go Simon, hope all goes well

[skyjump100]

Unfortunately things didn't go well and we lost the wee chick this evening. Not entirely sure why but there appeared to be a problem with his crop. No infection I think as his droppings were still a yellowy colour but possibly slow or sour crop as there appeared to always be good left in it. Had used apple cider vinegar but no effect. Wasn't confident with the massaging of the crop but had just started to try apple sauce but too little too late I think.
Hand rearing is definitely not something I would try again lightly!!!!!