I just tried =)

[PetLover]

I pulled the oldest two out of the box this morning just for a few mins. I tried to feed them but I dont like this syringe that I got from the pet store here. The last time I handfed I used Pipettes that I love using but cant find them here. The syringe just will not let me give a very little bit at a time. When I push the babies face is full of food. He was taking it tho. But I put them back with mom till I find something that I like to use.

[Taylor]

Hi Petlover,
How's it going with your babies? My 5 eggs ended up to be a clutch of 2.
Babies. #3, mom stopped feeding on day 2. It's hard to say why, but it was just to small for me to step in at that point.
I'm sure she had a reason:( egg #4 didn't hatch on time. After a few days mom & dad buried egg 4 & 5 (the surprise egg)
at the bottom of the box and abandoned the nest. I opened both eggs and they were not fertile. I took their nestbox away for a while and moved them to the livingroom for some R & R . They seem very happy to be out of their nestbox and back in the middle of everything. They have stayed tame to me, but are a little jumpy and skiddish Around others. The babies are doing great. One looks like a dilute yellow male. The other dark blue male. But it's to soon to be sure.
Jen.

[Tony Bucci]

PetLover,
I am hand feeding now 4 babies. I like the syringe the best of all other methods.
If the hole at the tip of the syringe is too small will result in a uncontrolable squirt that can choke the baby. Also, if the formula is too thick will give similar negative result.
So, make the formula thinner, and enlarge the hole at the tip. Practice before you feed the baby. I hold the syringe in between my index finger and the middle finger so that the plunger is in your palm of the hand. By gently squeezing your hand you will have the best control.
Be very careful on the temperature of the formula, you can burn the crop of the baby if it is too hot. I test the temperature on my wrist, the way I did the milk for our babies.
Make it lukewarm and you can't go wrong.

Tony

[Taylor]

I like the syringe better also. I find I have better control than with a pipette.
I find the long thin ones with a small, but not to small opening work best for me. The first few days I put on a tiny extender, but you do have to be careful, Like Tony said, the smaller the tube the easier it it to shoot it down their throat and choke them. I measure the temp with a thermometer, I have found my wrist to be somewhat inconsistent. The temp. of the formula changes very quickly, so I put the formula mug into a bath of warm water. I keep monitoring the temp. throughout the feeding to keep it just right. Hope all is well.
Jen.

[Tony Bucci]

Hi Jen,
I agree about measuring temperature. The people I buy the formula from recommends temp from 102-110F. I rather use 102F or less just to be safe.
I mix the formula in a jigger an place the jigger in hot water to keep it warm longer. As you can see in the pictures below.

Tony

[Taylor]

Oh... look at those little cuties!! Great shots:) The jigger is a great idea.
My little ones like it on the warm side about 106 to 108. when it cools down
to 102 they won't take it. Very Picky little critters, they are:p

Jen.

[raiven]

Aw! What sweet babies! so cute!

[chapala]

Thanks Tony for posting all those cute baby photos!

[skthurley]

Aw! So cute!

[Vegasmom]

Oh! Thanks for the baby pics! I hope you who have clutches will remember to take more pics for us.:D:D:D

[zoesmom]

The mama's body temp is around 106 degrees, so when she feeds her babies, their food is at 106 degrees as well. If food is too cool, it will sit in the crop and not go through. Also, when using the syringe, you should come in from the left side of the beak towards the right as the esophagus on the right side, and by bringing the syringe from the left towards the right, there is less chance for the baby to aspirate. Just a couple of tips!! Cindy

[Tony Bucci]

Cindy,
Excellent information!

Tony

[Tony Bucci]

In the first picture they are beginning to eat on their own.
In the second picture they are on their own. The oldest hen is with the a young blue male getting use to each other.

[Taylor]

Tony, they are so cute. They look like sweet, happy little babies:)

[chapala]

Nice birdies! Thanks for sharing photos of the young ones!

[Queenie]

Luke warm can be dangerous, I test the forumula on my upper lip. Above my lip.. that is a sensitive area , like testing a bottle on your wrist. If it burns it is too hot.
I use a curve tipped syringe.. I did find some on line but not so easy to find anymore.. You have to cut the tip a little and make sure you sand it smooth.. a rough edged tip can cut the babies mouth.

[25k]

when i was feeding talon, i used a syringe that has a kinda sheath over the opening, that i got from the hospital(my mom works there.) that way i didn't stab the back of his tiny throat.

[aprilluv2]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/aprilluv2/my%20pets/The%20babies/fofifo.jpgWhat adorable little babies.
I have three in the nestbox now that will be pulled likely tomorrow night
i was going to pull tonight but have a few doctor appointments to handle tomorrow and do not want to be rushed in the morning so will pull them tomorrow evening.

I am so excited been a few years since I had babies They were lovebirds. So this is my first parrotlet clutch.
I can not wait to spoil them rotten :D

[Midori]

How cute! Have run raising the little ones =)