THE WHY AND HOWOF HAND FEEDING A BABY BIRD

Adopting a baby bird is a huge responsibility and hand feeding is often done out of necessity when the bird is removed from its parents before it is weaned.

While feeding a bird every few hours is a major commitment, your efforts will pay off as you bond with your pet.

Experienced bird lovers also find that feeding a baby bird by hand helps it to grow up without fear of humans and other animals in the home.

It is important, however, to know how to feed a baby bird correctly since improper feedings can lead to illness and death.

As you get to know the newest addition to your bird family, use these strategies to get the most out of your hand-feeding sessions.

WHEN TO START

A baby bird can begin hand feeding as soon as it is removed from its parents.

However, most bird breeders prefer to keep a baby chick with its parents until it is two to three weeks old.

It is important to choose your timing carefully because waiting too long could lead an older bird to resist hand feeding.

In some instances, hand feeding is started after weaning if a bird demonstrates poor eating habits when it feeds independently.

TALK TO THE BREEDER

It is always important to begin hand feeding using the same methods and formula as the bird’s current owner or breeder.

Ask the breeder to show you how to tell when a bird’s crop is full and when it is empty and use the same positioning of the bird for feedings as the breeder has been using.

Keeping the hand-feeding strategies consistent will ensure that the baby bird gets the nutrition they need while protecting their delicate body from too many sudden changes.

PRACTICE FOOD SAFETY

Similar to infant formula, you will need to prepare fresh food for each one of your baby bird’s meals.

Reusing formula or allowing it to sit out will allow bacteria to grow that your baby bird’s developing immune system may not be able to fight off.

Serving formula at the proper temperature is also critical since food that is too hot can burn your baby bird’s crop.

Yet, food that is too cold may be refused or cause poor digestion.

Use a thermometer to check the temperature of the formula at every feeding, and strive to stay within the breeders recommended guidelines.

DEVELOP A FEEDING SCHEDULE

Your bird’s age, growth rate and diet all influence how often they need to be fed.

As a general rule, birds under six weeks of age should be fed every two to three hours and the time between feedings gradually increases as the bird matures.

Make sure to chart each feeding so you never have to second guess when they ate last and remember that you may have to feed more frequently if they eat less at a feeding.

OBSERVE FOR HEALTH CHANGES

There are several ways to make sure your baby bird is eating enough during your hand-feeding sessions.

A full crop is always a good sign and you can also weigh your baby bird before and after feedings.

Finally, you should be able to see fecal matter in their droppings. If it is all liquid or completely white, then your bird may not be taking in enough food.

Hand feeding your baby bird is an amazing experience that allows you to form a strong bond in the earliest days of your bird’s life.

While hand feeding can be done by anyone, you will need to ensure you do it properly so that your bird stays healthy.

By taking your bird’s feedings literally into your own hands, you can simultaneously socialize them while providing the nutrition needed for optimal health.

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