Father picking nestling

[debbie276]

Ok, I'm just gonna throw this out there and do with it what you'd like. If birds are pecking and "eating" at a bloody wound they may be lacking in salt. What is in your mineral mix?

[mlisa73]

Ok, I couldn't take it anymore... Now I'm trying to get a hold of my husband to pick up some formula (nearest store that has it is an hour away.. smh). Do you suppose if they get hungry before he gets home (another 4 hours from now), the parents might feed them if I place them in the cage, in the plastic bowl they're currently in (not the nest of course).
And since I've taken that picture, I've put a lid halfway across and a thermometer inside. It's been between 80 - 90º (tho I'm working on getting it closer to 80).

[mlisa73]

debbie276

Actually, all I feed them is a pellet mix, millet and the occasional egg shells (cuttlebone also accessible). What would you suggest?

[Sally]

mlisa73

Parents feeding babies need lots of protein, that is what makes the babies grow (feathers need protein too). Egg food is the best way to supply that protein for Zebras. This can be as simple as hard boiling an egg, mashing it shell and all, and offering it to the birds. For some birds, this would be too moist, so adding something to dry it out helps--dry commercial egg food, hand feeding formula, or even plain yellow cornmeal. Or, you can peel the egg and offer the egg shells separate. Breeding birds should have access to egg shells daily.

As long as your husband is stopping by the pet store, I'd suggest picking up some dry commercial egg food too. Most stores will carry Quicko brand, or there are many others, I use Volkman brand myself but you won't find it in many pet stores.

Besides cuttlebone, I give my birds a mineral mix. At a minimum, I would give them oystershell grit. You can get it in a box at the pet store (add this to your hubby's list lol). He wants to get oystershell grit (usually has some charcoal in it) not gravel, which is more for parakeets.

As far as their normal food, I'm not a big fan of pellets, but others are. I prefer a good basic finch mix (without the little colored pellets in it if you can find it, but OK if you can't). Pellets are OK as an option, but IMO should never be the base of their diet. Another thing that finches love is veggies--dark greens, broccoli, cucumber, carrots. You have to get them used to veggies sometimes, but they need the vitamins that come in fresh produce.

When you have a chance, look over the information at this site, which tells you about a proper diet and what your birds can and cannot eat.

http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/index.php

[Sally]

mlisa73

When babies aren't yet fully feathered, they need to be kept warmer, so 90 is not too warm for them at all. You can supply heat temporarily if you have something like a gooseneck lamp. Aim the light at the bowl, but far enough away that it doesn't get too hot, and monitor the thermometer. Once they are fully feathered, you can gradually work on lowering the temperature, but for now, they need help. I've used a baby wipes warmer as a brooder, it works quite well, except it is difficult to keep the temperature stable.

As far as the parents feeding them if you return the bowl to the cage, I don't know that they will. The species of birds I've kept would never tolerate that, but then Zebras are more domesticated and tolerant of more interference.

[Babs _Owner]

mlisa73

Your brooder looks great. Actually the 85-90 temp is just fine for 9 day old babies. If the brooder is too cool, the chicks wont digest their crop food properly.

Heres the chart I used when I handfeed. I've found it works perfectly for 1-3 babies.

Newly hatched 92-94°F (33.3-34.4 °C)
Older, but still unfeathered 90-92°F (32.2-33.3 °C)
Pin feathers present 85-90°F (29.4-32.2 °C)
Fully feathered 75-80°F (23.9-26.7 °C)

I commend you on your decision and your bravery!! It takes courage to do that first feeding. After the 3rd feeding you'll feel like a pro.

PS As long as they have some food in their crop, they may get hungry, but they will last 4 hours without a feeding just fine.

[Babs _Owner]

Sally mlisa73

Sally's babywipe warmer is what I use (I love you for that idea Sally btw). During breeding its always on standby and sitting at 94 degrees in case I need it. Lower the temp is just a matter of raising the lid a bit.

But for now what you did is quite brilliant for being in a hurry. And you can keep the temp reasonably stable you should be good to go on raising these poor guys.

[debbie276]

You've gotten very good advice from Sally amd Babs.
Best of luck, keep us updated on their progress.

[mlisa73]

I do actually have a gooseneck table lamp that puts off heat. Thank you so much! ATM, I'm using a heating pad, and it has auto shutoff after 2 hours, so that would be an inconvenience tonight, so now I know I can use the lamp for heat throughout the night (possibly for the duration). And thanks for the heads-up on the temperature.

I'll work on improving their diet soon. For now I just wanted to get the formula for the babies (I had to order online and have him pick it up, because he would have no idea what to get, lol). Thanks for that advice as well.

[Babs _Owner]

mlisa73

It's frustrating to try and find a heating pad without the auto shutoff now-a-days. The lamp is great.

When I was helping raise 9 little societies in an open nest in the cage, the 60watt regular white light is what I used clamped onto their cage.

It kept them warm while the daddies (moms died) fed them. And I would sneak in a feeding or two.

I see they have pin feathers, so the lamp should work quite well. Dont worry about the bright light at night. After a feeding the chicks will sleep right through it all day and all night.

As for the feeding, go SLOW. Push the pippet or dropper to the back of the throat and dont release formula until the chick is sucking on the utensil. Then just a little bit, remove, let them breathe. Then do it again, etc. You should be fine.

[mlisa73]

Yayyyy!!! First feeding successful.. Babies crop's are all full and they just a sleeping away! How often do they usually want food? Also, what are "pin feathers?" Is that like tail feathers?

[Babs _Owner]

mlisa73

YES!!!

At their age, every 3 hours should be fine. No feeding during a regular 8 hour sleep for you. I'd let their crops empty between feedings to prevent yeast in the crop.

Well missy, looks like you just saved your zebra babies!

Almost forgot. I put a little bit of organic baby apple sauce in their formula for one feeding , once a day.
It helps prevent yeast. Any more than that an my birds get the runs.

Happy day for you !

Pinfeathers are those feathers buds that are sticking out, but dont have feathers on them yet. Google a diagram of them.

[mlisa73]

Temp holding steady at 90º, crops full again, tucked in and ready for bed. Goodnight lil guys... ♥

[Sally]

Congrats! Please keep us posted on how they do.

[debbie276]

Pin feathers are the feathers emerging. The feathers are incased in a sheath that pokes out of the skin. As it gets longer it splits, falls off and the feather spreads out.
Sounds like your doing well with the chick's
Best of luck for continued success