Feeding fluster

[Chloe]

My parrotlets have unsuccessfully bred 4 times previously. They just can't seen to get the hang of feeding them more than once a day. So this time when the eggs hatch I have decided to remove the babies from the nest hand feed them. The only problem is I've never done this before and don't know anybody who has done this before, and I don't know what your suppose to feed the babies, I know you uses a syringe but I have no idea what you put in it. Help Please :D ?!!

[LittleWings]

Hand-feeding a whole clutch is a lot of work for just one person. and it's not an easy job, especially not a beginner. I suggest For the safety and health of future chicks, just don't breed them any more.

[jodeg]

I usually don't jump in on threads about breeding, because even though I've bred birds, I've never had to hand feed them. However, I think I agree with Valerie about this. I believe the babies have to be hand fed every two hours around the clock. This is a lot of work and a serious commitment, plus being a beginner makes it that much harder, and it could end in heartbreak.

You have the right to do what you feel is best for you and your birds, and I hope my comments don't make you angry, but please reconsider breeding your Parrotlets, for your sake and for their sake.

[chapala]

Hand-feeding day one chicks is quite an undertaking, especially for someone who has never done it and doesn't have anyone to show them how. You might want to reconsider and remove the nest box. If you do decide to go ahead, it's going to be important to talk to a breeder in your area who can show you the basics, or an avian vet.

[Taylor]

A one day old chick eats every 20/30 min.around the clock. Then the time gets longer with each day. They are also very,very small. I think that even a very experienced handfeeder might have a tough time with a 2 hr. old p'let. Not impossible, just very difficult. You also need a brooder to keep the chicks at 90 to 92 degrees. I agree that maybe it would be a good idea to take the nestbox away.
Jen

[ParrotletsRock]

I just want to say ....Good Luck. I hope your babies make it and you find the info you need.

[Chloe]

It's a bit late to take the nest box out considering they have 6 eggs already, and I have my dad and my brother here all day to help me feed them. I have helped someone else breed parrotlets before but we never had a problem with the parents not feeding the babies. All I asked was what you feed the babies I didn't asked to be patronized;).

[chapala]

Chloe, we just gave you our opinions, no need to accuse us of being patronizing. None of us who answered except Jen (Taylor) has raised or hand-fed P'lets. I figured you already had eggs, and the comments about removing the nest box were for the future, since your pair doesn't seem to want to or know how to care for their chicks. As Jen said above, and she has hand-fed at a few weeks old, the day ones are a different story. If you do choose to feed day one chicks, best of luck to you.

[raiven]

I do not think anyone mentioned that the babies formula has to be fed at a temperature between 105F and 108F degrees. If it is cooler than that the food will sit in the crop and sour. If it is warmer than that you risk crop burn. A baby with crop burn is in serious trouble. Infection goes through its skin and a hole opens up to the outside. The baby cries all the time because it is hungry and in pain. It can become infected and you end up with a very sick baby that probably will not survive.

Another caution is that a baby can easily be asphyxiated by an inexperienced feeder should the food go down its wind pipe.

The babies need to be kept warm all the time. If they get too cold they will get kidney failure and die.

There is a lot to hand feeding babies besides what to feed them. There are many, many pitfalls to consider and take into account.

[Taylor]

I'm sorry if I sounded patronizing. It was not my intent. If the eggs haven't hatched you could always remove them. The youngest baby that I have handfed was 7 days. I fed him every 2/3 hrs around the clock for the first couple of days. There are a lot of little details that you need to know which you can learn from any book on handfeeding. You can also watch videos on U tube and ParrotParrot showing people handfeeding. One day old parrotlet chicks are really tiny. Getting the formula in without much air will be tricky.
If you just let the baby eat it off of your finger it might work. The problem is they take in a lot of air that way. It might have to eat every 10 min. instead of 20. You never know, you might succeed. It will be exhausting!! Good Luck if you do it.:)
Jen.

[Tony Bucci]

Chloe,
Every body that gave you advice in this thread were absolutely correct. I agree with them 100%. I am presently hand feeding 5 babies starting when they were 10 days old. I am totally exhausted. I don't think I will do this again. It is an emotional chore.
I feed them the formula "EXACT" made by KAYTEE. It is fine ground corn with additives; vitamins,minerals and the rest of the ingredients to make the babies grow. You add hot water to it at the proper temp 102-108 degrees Fahrenheit to make a paste. The temperature is very critical, as it was already explain to you.
If you live close to me I wouldn't mind helping you. You can see in my profile where I live.
I hope you succeed.
Good luck
Tony

[Firemoon]

This is my first post, but I just want to answer your question directly. Handfeeding Formula by Kaytee, follow the directions for day 1's. you will need Pipettes which you can get from L&M leg Bands on the web. They are cheap and she ships fast.
You can handfeed the babies, and put them back with the parents to keep them warm. I have done this myself. They can suffocate if you feed too fast. The crop is full when its soft like a marshmallow. If they choke at this age they will die. The formula is almost watery an must be warm like baby milk on your wrist. I wish you luck, but my advice is to get "How To Handfeed" Book before you venture on breeding. Its a valuable resource.

[Queenie]

Remember to thin the formula for one day olds.. to about 5 day olds , then slowly thicken it. The tempurature is critically important.. I have done this many times and it is not that difficult if you have hand fed before. just don't over feed.. they only need a drop or two when this tiny. Also sometimes they just faint over and fall asleep, the first time they did this for me I thought I had killed them.. they are fine, lol,, just babies. You will be up at night so prepare for the journey.
Good Luck