Hand feeding

yazzie · Post by **yazzie** » Thu May 07, 2009 9:13 am

Hi i am due to pull my babies next week when they will be 2 weeks.What instrument will be the best to use as i have never hand fed before.

pinkdevil · Post by **pinkdevil** » Thu May 07, 2009 4:12 pm

I would read up as much as you can, and if possible, have some one who has a bit of experience in handrearing, to show you how and the different techniques that can be used etc.

I personally prefer using a spoon with the sides bent up. Similar to this one

This was allows the chick to take in as much food as it wants in it's own time.

There should be threads around here somewhere, but basically I mix the formula (according to the instructions for the chicks age group) in a cup and keep it warm by sitting the cup in a bowl of hot (not too hot though) water. I have a food grade thermometer in the formula to keep an eye on temps. If the formula becomes too cold, I change the water and wait till the formula reaches the correct temp again.

yazzie · Post by **yazzie** » Fri May 08, 2009 12:51 am

Thanks for that i do like the thought of a spoon as i visited a gent who has shown me to hand feed but he uses a tube and i am afraid incase i do some damage. At 2 weeks old will they feed ok from a spoon?

Rolly · Post by **Rolly** » Fri May 08, 2009 8:00 am

A 2-week old IRN bappy will readily take to spoon feeding
in no time at all.
Spoon feeding minimizes the risk of aspiration and choking
as the bappy learns to eat.
Though spoon feeding takes more time than when using a syringe,
it is time spent in bonding with its caretaker.

yazzie · Post by **yazzie** » Tue May 12, 2009 7:34 am

Hi My babies will be 2 weeks on thursday. When is the best time to pull them morning or night. How often should I feed I have been told every 4 hours and finish at 11 pm and start at 7 am. I have my spoons ready can you tell me ( i know all babies are different but what is the average time it takes to spoon feed a chick Just so I can get my routine ready.

Tempest · Post by **Tempest** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:09 am

to bad you cont live in the US let alone Southern California. We have a place out here called the Emerald forest Bird Gardens and if u e-mailed them they would allow for you to go volunteer and learn how to hand-feed baby parrots and toucans. I know they do have short movies on the hand feeding babies. Go to their website and e-mail them. Maybe they will give up their info on hand feeding for you.

http://www.emeraldforestbirds.com/

Remember it may look like a Toucan only websites but they do raise parrots as wells.

yazzie · Post by **yazzie** » Tue May 12, 2009 11:55 pm

Hi thanks for the link it is very interesting I wish i was nearer. I am looking forward to friday when i bring them. It is just sorting out a routine

IndianRingNeck.com

Hand feeding

Hand feeding

Spoon Feeding