I struggeled for a week to find a way to hand feed the one baby. She didn't want to open her mouth for any food. I prepared the Exact 100%, feeding with dropper or spoon without success. This weekend a bird breeder suggested an injection with a small rubber tube fitted in front to go down the birds throught. Nowhere on line I read that I could do this. When I tried it the first time I was surprised to see how easy it is. I'm still very nervous not to hurt her or push it in the wrong way, but it's easier. I can only feed her morning and night as I work all day. Is it OK? The parents still feed the other two and I think she also get a little now and again. At least now I feel she has a better chance to live now. I still put her back in the nesting box after feeding her and everything seems fine. She still tries to stand in the nesting box door like the parents do. She also flaps her wings a lot when I take her out. She is acting more mature than the others. Anything I'm doing wrong?
2007-03-12 18:27:10 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
That is very dangerous feeding a bird like that unless you have been shown how it is done. And the only time I would have ever feed a baby that way would only be in the event of an emergency.
It is not abnormal that a baby bird wouldnt want you putting an eye dropper or a spoon in its mouth, that isnt something that isnt natural for it.
With tube feeding there is no margin for error. There are two tubes that go down the Bird's throat. One goes into the crop and the other into the lung sac.
If the feeding tube you are using is not properly cleaned you could be giving it dangerous bacterias.
If the parents are feeding the baby and caring for it then you dont need to hand fed it, and they may feed it more often as it needs it.
Tube feeding is not something I would teach our clients unless I knew they were comfortable with hand feeding first. As only as a last result would I even recommend tube feeding.
Sapphyre
Certified Avian Specialist
http://www.borrowed-rainbow.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BorrowedRainbowAviary/
2007-03-13 11:57:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there's no other way then I think you're doing the best you can.
If at all possible you should try to feed her from a spoon or something besides the crop needle, simply becuase there is less chance of something going wrong. However if she wont eat that way then the crop needle is alright.
Is there someone else who could come in to feed her during the day and check on her? If she seems to be doing fine then it's probably going well and you shouldn't worry. Just keep an eye on her and if anything seems to take a turn for the worse, get her to a vet.
Two good feeds a day and some possible feeds from the parents isn't ideal but it's better then nothing. If you can get someone to come in at all during the day, even to give her one more feed, that would help a lot. However either you'd have to find someone who was experienced in crop needle feeding or she would have to take food from the spoon (and even then you'll have to find someone you can trust to do it right)
Good luck! I hope if turns out well for you and the baby bird.
2007-03-13 00:32:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Crop feeding is a very delicate procedure. Take your time, and ALWAYS make sure that you are not inserting the tube into the trachea which is the hole at the back of the tongue in birds, before you start to depress the plunger on the syringe. Hygiene is extremely important when direct crop feeding so make sure that your equipment has been thoroughly washed, and sterilized prior to feeding. It sounds to me like you are doing things OK. Just be careful.
2007-03-12 19:05:26 · answer #3 · answered by PJJ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
uncertain how previous our tiel grew to become into as quickly as we weaned her, yet she wouldnt provide up whining for foodstuff for the longest time. attempt including slightly water to the seed, or in line with danger making use of softer grains like millet...attempt to shake off the seeds as a replace of giving them a branch of it. in case you shrink the formula and start up off integrating those softer ingredients, she ought to wean finally. desire this enables :)
2016-10-18 06:13:53 · answer #4 · answered by corbo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just be carefull not to get your finger chopped off, you can allways wear gloves!!
2007-03-12 18:33:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋