A cockatiel question?

Question

We have a pair of cockatiels that had two babies, I want to say about three weeks ago. We're wanting to hand feed them, but don't know when we are suppose to take them out and start handfeeding them. Does anyone know any sites that give info about the timing of baby birds and feeding directions?
Thanks.

Answer 1

Handfeeding Step-By-Step
by Cynthia L. Kiesewetter
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If you are planning to pull your cockatiel babies for handfeeding there are several preparations you must make. First, you need to purchase a quality handfeeding formula. Second, you need to determine which of several handfeeding tools you feel comfortable using. Lastly, you need to choose a brooder that is appropriate and able to be warmed to the proper temperature.
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FORMULAS:
There are many excellent handfeeding formulas on the market today. The best way to determine the one you will use is by asking other breeders about their experiences with price, how well they mix, how well they hold their temperatures, if they burn easily, and, most importantly, how their babies do on them. I personally use the Pretty Bird handfeed formula, as I find it to be reasonably priced, it mixes easily and quickly without a great deal of separation occuring during the feeding, it holds the temperature very well, and it contains a number of important ingredients, such as lactobacillus and digestive enzymes. As I said before, however, there are many other excellent products available today by other manufacturers.
FEEDING UTENSILS:
This would be an excellent time for you to decide what kind of feeding utensil you would like to use. Another good source for opinions on this is other experienced breeders and handfeeders. You should ask what utensil they use and why, as well as what age baby they feed with this utensil. For example, a bent spoon, in my opinion, is not an appropriate tool for feeding a day old baby; however, it will work well on a two week old chick. Syringes are excellent tools, but you must use them slowly until the babies begin "pumping" their heads ferociously, at which time, you can increase the speed somewhat. I prefer the syringes which have rubber-tipped plungers as they operate very smoothly. For older babies, I like to spoonfeed, although it is a messy proposition and requires a lot of handy paper towels! Pipettes and droppers are other options for feeding. Whatever utensil you decide to use, always clean it thoroughly with hot, soapy water, followed by a good rinse and a disinfecting soak. Good disinfectants are properly diluted bleach, Roccal-D, Avinol, Wavicide, and many others. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the disinfectant off and out of the utensil before the next feeding, and change the disinfectant solution each time you feed.
BROODERS:
Now that you have decided which hand feeding formula and utensils you plan to use, it is time to choose the brooder. A lot of your decision on what to use for a brooder should be based on the age of the babies you are pulling, and how many babies there will be. A small amount of very young babies will do best in a dark brooder at about 95 degrees Fahrenheit, while a larger amount of older babies will do better in a glass fish tank at a lesser temperature. Whatever brooder you use should first be cleaned and disinfectant, making sure you rinse the brooder thoroughly to remove any disinfectant residue. After the brooder is clean and dry, I put about a couple of inches of pine shavings on the bottom of the tank and cover that with a thick layer of paper towels. The shavings will help to distribute the heat evenly over the bottom of the tank, while the paper towels will help to absorb the moisture from the chicks' droppings. I then place a heating pad under the tank, and cover the tank with a plastic tank cover or wire grill and a large bath towel, leaving one corner open for air circulation into the tank. Be sure to heat the tank up to the correct temperature before you add the chicks. A non-breakable thermometer at "chick level" in the tank along with this temperature guide should help:




Age of ChickDegrees in
Fahrenheit
1-5 days94 - 96
6-9 days93 - 95
10-14 days91 - 93
15-21 days86 - 90
22-28 days81 - 85
29-35 days76 - 80
36 days to weaning70 - 75

SCHEDULE:
I usually pull my babies at 2 to 3 weeks of age. I have handfed chicks as young as 1 day old but, only if there are problems that require me to intervene at that early age. If you wait much longer than three weeks it can be difficult for your chicks to accept handfeeding; however, I have been more successful at an older age with a bent spoon than with any other utensil. If you pull the chicks earlier than 2 weeks, they may not get all the natural immunities they need from their parents; at that point, it is important to add an avian specific lactobacillus acidophilus (a "good" bacteria) to the formula if it doesn't already contain this.
I will not start hand feeding until the newly pulled babies' crops are empty. I prepare the formula according to the directions on the container, and use a candy thermometer (available at most supermarkets) to make sure the formula is 102-104 degrees Fahrenheit before I start feeding. If using a syringe for feeding, begin by placing the baby on the table in front of you and inserting the tip of the syringe gently into the left side of the chick's mouth. (IMPORTANT: when the chick is facing you, his left is YOUR right.) Point the tip toward the right side of the chicks mouth. Carefully with a slow, even pressure on the syringe plunger, begin dripping the formula into the chick's mouth. You want the formula to be fed slowly so that the baby recognizes you are feeding it, and so the formula goes down into the chicks crop and not the windpipe. The amount of formula depends on the age and weight of the baby. If you keep an eye on the chick's crop, you will see it filling as you feed. Make sure you do not fill the crop to the point where the food comes up into the chick's neck; it should also not appear pendulous or over-expanded. It is a good idea to try a little at a time until you determine what is enough. Here is the handfeeding schedule that I use:
Age of ChickFeeding TimesFeeding
Amounts
1-4 daysEvery two hours1 - 2 cc's
5-7 daysEvery three hours2 - 3 cc's
8-14 days7:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM, 11:00 PM4 - 6 cc's
15-24 days7:00 AM, 12:00 PM (Noon), 5:00 PM, 11:00 PM7 - 10 cc's
25-34 days7:00 AM, 5:00 PM, 11:00 PM11 - 15 cc's
35-44 days (fledging)7:00 AM, 7:00 PM11 - 15 cc's
45 days to weaning7:00 PM11 - 15 cc's

You'll note that the amount per feeding gradually increases as the baby gets older, until the time of fledging. During this time, you'll be hard-pressed to get the baby to take much food. Do not let this fool you into believing the baby is weaned. Instead, it is "dieting" to remove the large abdomen they have as babies so that flight will be attainable. You'll note that, during fledging, babies seem more interested in flying than eating. You must make sure you hold them down during feeding, as they will take off clumsily, and may injure themselves upon landing. A chick may lose 10-15% of its peak weight during fledging.
As the chicks begin to feather out and need less heat, I place them in a small, grateless cage with low perches so the chicks can reach them easily. On the bottom, I place a wide variety of foods, pellets, and seeds. Once they are able to perch, I add a dish of fresh water, I place the food in dishes, and add a grate to the bottom. As the chicks get older I add more perches at higher positions to encourage them to fly and exercise their wings. It is very important to have a gram scale that has readings in one gram increments to check your chicks weight during the hand feeding and weaning process. If you notice the babies not gaining weight (or losing too much weight during fledging) you may need to offer formula more often, or it may be indicative of a problem which needs a vet's attention, such as Candida (yeast).

Answer 2

Why not let the parents do their jobs? They can be handled and weened by you. There are a lot of horror stories of well intentioned people damaging chicks and killing them by hand feeding. Buy the hand feeding formula at the pet store, follow the directions for mixing. I found small baby spoons messy but easier to use than a syringe. Feel the crop to make sure it is firm but not tight. Feed every 2 -3 hours around the clock Give warmed formula and be sure it isn't hot. Use warm water not the microwave because it heats unevenly and can burn. Start weening around 5 weeks. Good luck. The parents food is still far superior. Have fun.

Answer 3

First you need to go to a local bird breeder and ask them to teach you how to syringe feed you're babies. If the babies are not pumping on the syringe, then they will aspirate and die. It is of the up most importance that you feel comfortable feeding these little guys, because, you need to Feed them about once an hour., day and night. Second, before you remove you're babies, you will need a brooder. You can make a homemade brooder with a clear plastic bin, a large heavy weight towel, a heating pad set at lowest temperature, and a thermometer. Wrap heating pad in towel, place in plastic bin, place thermometer, monitor temperature, lid should be left off a little to the side for ventilation. Do not snap lid closed as babies will need air. Never microwave formula, this will burn a hole in babies crop and lead to death. Test formula on wrist for temperature. Before getting into this, I suggest that you check out "Bird Breeder Magazine" Get comfortable with the routine, their little lives depend on it. Oh, by the way Momma and Daddy bird aren't going to be happy with you when you go to steal their babies.

Answer 4

i appreciate all kinds of cockatiels. I own the traditional gray ones, albino ones and pied one and some pied yellow chop up ones. they're all wonderful of their own way. I own 12 cockatiels and characteristic today 10 eggs and three toddlers.

Answer 5

I don't know about a site, but I thought you were supposed to hand feed from the very beginning. The idea is that the birds imprint on humans as their own kind instead of birds. Those that feed them from the beginning are who they imprint on.