Tips on Hand Feeding Birds
You may want to breed but not hand feed, but there are many reasons why you may have to hand feed rather you wanted to or not. So here I will list some tips to make the process a little easier. I strongly suggest if you have never hand fed before, find a local breeder who's been hand feeding for several years(more than 3) and see if they will allow you to come to their home and show you hands on how to hand feed, There are a lot of articles and even videos to do with hand feeding on You Tube, but just those are not enough to learn the proper way, you need to be taught hands on several times before actually doing it on your own, and even the most expert hand- feeder still loses babies, sometimes it just happens, no matter if they've been hand feeding for a year or 30 years.
Everything below is just a guide line - Some species eat more than others, and need brooder temps to be different than others, so be sure research the exact species you are breeding to make sure you have the proper knowledge before hand feeding.
Everything below is just a guide line - Some species eat more than others, and need brooder temps to be different than others, so be sure research the exact species you are breeding to make sure you have the proper knowledge before hand feeding.
Items you'll need for hand feedingSyringes
Pipette or eye dropper Heating pad(that does not have a auto shutoff) Aquarium or critter keeper plastic container Bedding for the bottom of the brooder ( I use car fresh and Paper towels) |
Making the Hand Feeding FormulaI use Zupreem Hand Feeding Formula, Over the years I've found it to be the best. -Prepare as package states and do not heat above 110 Degrees You should always place the formula in the dish first and then add water.
Never heat formulas in a microwave it may have hot spots. Never reheat. Once formula is prepared, dispose of leftover formula. |
Temps for Brooders - Keep Humidity at above 50%1-4 days - 95-98 F
5-9 days - 94-95 F 10-14 days -90-94 F Reasonably developed down feathers 85-90 F Feathers covering over 1/2 the body 80-85 F |
Feeding Schedule/Amount to feed - This is a guide line1-4 days Every two hours 1 - 2 cc's
5-7 days Every three hours 2 - 3 cc's 8-14 days 7:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM, 11:00 PM 4 - 6 cc's 15-24 days 7:00 AM, 12:00 PM (Noon), 5:00 PM, 11:00 PM 7 - 10 cc's 25-34 days 7:00 AM, 5:00 PM, 11:00 PM 11 - 15 cc's 35-44 days (fledging)7:00 AM, 7:00 PM 11 - 15 cc's 45 days to weaning7:00 PM 11 - 15 cc's |
Weight Gaining Chart- For Cockatiels3-6 days - 5-12 Grams
1-2 Weeks - 12-45 Grams 2-3 Weeks - 45-72 Grams 3-4 Weeks - 72-108 Grams 4-5 Weeks - 80-120 Grams 5-6 Weeks - 80-90 Grams 6-7 Weeks - 80-95 Grams 7 Weeks - Adult - 90-110 Grams * Chicks may lose 10-15% of its peak weight at fledging |