Some people feed a lot thicker consistency than I do, but if it's too thick you have more of a chance of it not digesting and causing problems. I'd rather go a bit thinner and have to feed a bit more often. Glad the video helped and good luck on the lovebirds! They're a riot to feed. There is a point where you reach into the brooder and they all latch onto your fingers and hand! I remember lifting my hand with four kids just hanging on by their beaks! Budgies do the same thing. :)
Great idea about the cup in a cup! I always wondered how you could keep the formula warm enough. I know formula needs to be fed at a particular temperature, and I couldn't figure out how to KEEP that temperature more stable. Thank you! Cheers.
How old is the African grey parrot here? Trying to decide whether to get my baby at 3 months or a little bit earlier to hand feed for a little to get used to me
Yes, you can use this formula on budgies. In fact there are several commercially available handfeeding formulas now available. Any but the smallest of pet shops should carry at least one type. It's really hard to feed a baby that was just hatched, though. You need to feed every hour or two to start with and such tiny birds can only take a drop or possibly two or you risk aspirating them. If there is no alternative then I'd try, though.
this helped alot, ive been looking everywhere online trying to find out how "thin" is thin for the formula. im feeding two 12 day old lovebirds. soon to be 4, and according to this video ive been making it a little TOO thin. thanks alot for this video
I've had tiels in the past that were not fully weaned until they were closer to 10 weeks old. You can't just say that a particular species will be weaned in X number of weeks. It's an individual thing to some degree. Sounds like this little one is still wanting some handfeeding. This is one reason why weighing your baby is so good - you can see for sure if he's losing weight or not. If he likes eggs and other things, I'd spend some time twice a day making sure he's eating enough.
i have a baby cockatiel, a little more than 2 months old and crying every time he hears me, see me, i go by the cage, hold him.....he is driving me nuts with this cry....the breed said that is was ready to go. he is eating seeds, not alot but eating,,,,loves sunflower seeds, boiled egges, but crying and crying....its is making me a little frustrated, I was so excited and energeric to get him and I lost a little of that because he is all the time crying....how long does this last?
@nitaguru Of course if the breeder has not done this (fed the baby things from their fingers) then it may not go over well. I do it with all my kids as they approach weaning, and also make sure they will eat ANYTHING they're offered. Really makes a difference in being able to give them a great diet later.
@zainalovesgaga I'm not sure, but judging from the look of the kid and his rather lackluster feeding -and that he is only getting one feeding a day- he must be somewhere between 70 and 80 days or so. I really don't think it's necessary to actually DO the handfeeding to bond your baby to you. However, I love the weaning pellets and feed them to the kids after soaking them in warm water. That gives you a great bonding time with your baby when you bring him home.
Hey there, What a beautiful grey! :D I always thought that at that age the formula should be a lot thicker? Do you have to do a lot more feeds at that consistency? I love using Vetafarm but have tried a few, including my own recipes. :D Dmitri
Hi, I always feed a bit thinner since there is less chance of the crop slowing and problems resulting. I also find that often the formula you mix if allowed to sit for five or ten minutes would thicken up on its own. I theorize that if that happens sitting on the counter it is likely to also happen inside the crop. Better from my standpoint to feed a bit looser and perhaps a bit more often. :)
I've never raised a macaw but in general, any bird that isn't fully feathered does need supplemental heat. I really like the Aviquarium brooder system I use because the top emits heat into the area (the aquarium) without adding light. It's also really easy to clean because it's a plastic material. One of the easiest ways to supply heat that many use is a heating pad under an aquarium or other container. However, and I learned this the hard way, it's possible a heating pad can have hot spots and also can be rather uneven heat. You could use a heat light or possibly even a regular light, but keeping the temperature pretty even is rather hard to do that way. It really might be worthwhile to invest in a decent brooder since it will take a while to raise this baby. Also if it's just a one-time thing, you could sell it after you've finished with it.
It depends. I try to let the birds tell me when they are ready to have a feeding cut. The greys wean somewhere around 80 days, and for that last week or so they are on a single night feeding, to be sure they don't go to bed hungry.
can somebody answer my question asap my baby cocatiels just know hatched 5 mins ago i will like to know when can i start hand feeding them and what is the proper way. Plus i would like to clean the cage but if removed them will that remove their scent which the mother has on them.
If the parents are feeding well, then I like to wait till the kids are 10 to 14 days old. Some people like to wait till they are 3 weeks old, but I always feel the kids take to handfeeding much quicker when they are a bit younger than that. With budgies I like to wait till they are nearly 3 weeks, though, mainly because they are so small and they seem to have no problem learning to handfeed even if they are 3 weeks old. But tiels, 14 days is ideal. As to the proper way, there are various ways to handfeed. My way is shown in this video. I'm not entirely sure what you mean with your last comment. The babies should be in a nestbox, in which case cleaning the cage should have no effect. I would limit the cleaning to the basics, though. Change the paper in the tray, maybe give the grate a very quick scrape-down. The nestbox should be fine until the kids are ready to be pulled. There really is no "scent" issue with the birds anyway, but I don't really see how it would figure in even if there was. The kids should be secure in the nestbox and you shouldn't need to do anything with it.
They *can*, but I find Nutristart is finer and easier to feed to finches. If you are using a type of eyedropper, the zupreem may actually clog and not flow well, whereas the Nutristart will not do that.
If you don't have the time or desire to handfeed the baby, then definitely leave the parents to do the job. You will make it much easier on them (and way better for the kids) if you provide parents with soft foods to feed their kids. Things like eggfood (mashed, hard-boiled egg, mixed with a bit of commercial nestling food or even crushed crackers), sprouted seed, a Beans/Rice/Veggie mix... all are good options. The eggfood is best due to the high protein content, but make sure you don't give too much or it could spoil if not all eaten within a few hours. Handfeeding is a HUGE commitment of time, so if you do decide to do that you need to make sure you will be able to finish the job. Good luck with your baby!
If you can spend ten or fifteen minutes in the morning and again in the evening, just making sure he is truly eating and filling his crop, it should make a difference. I honestly think he's hungry.
+Isabel Sheikh I would feed at least 6 times a day, and probably would feed at least once in the middle of the night for the first week as well. I usually let the birds show me how often they need feeding. The crop should be mostly empty between feedings, but "just" emptied. In other words, you don't want them empty for any length of time, but neither do you want to put more food on top of food.
+Isabel Sheikh For a baby only a day old I would. It will help give him a nice boost. I don't like to pull kids till they are 10 days old, but when I'm forced to handfeed a day old chick I find that one middle-of-the-night feeding really helps.
You should not have any problems going to amazon.com. I use Zupreem handfeeding formula and I know that amazon carries it. Can you tell me your location, please?
nitaguru hi nitaguru, my name is Kim I have a parrot let angel . she is sick right now on antibiotics for respiratory infection. and she's not eating much. do you think I'd be ok feeding her baby formula.
+MONNYN villa I don't actually measure the handfeeding formula. I go by eye. I put the amount of water (pre-boiled and cooled) that I think I will need into a small cup. The small cup fits into a larger bowl which also has water. I heat that larger container first, so the water is very hot. Then the cup with the water gets heated till it's very warm. To that, I add the formula, little by little, and keep mixing it till it seems about the right consistency. I feed looser than some do, because if you mix the formula and leave it for a while you will find it thickens and i don't want it to thicken too much once it's in the crop. I want it to be easily absorbed by the chick and keep moving through his system. Make a small amount -you can always make more if needed. But throw out what you've mixed and not used. Don't save it. Make only what you will use at that feeding. This usually means you will waste some till you figure out how much you are using.
shall i leave the baby cockatail to their parents to feed the baby?my male and female cockatail eat birds seeds. or shall I add something to their food so they can take it and feed their baby
Sorry I didn't see this sooner. Hopefully your baby 'tiel is still ok. You should be giving the parents some soft food for them to eat and then feed their baby. Eggfood of some sort - mashed, hard-boiled egg will do, but if you can add some nestling food or dry bread crumbs or something to it to make it more crumbly and less "wet" it is better - or some soaked and sprouted seeds, maybe soaked millet... Generally increasing the protein they get is a good idea. If you do want to handfeed you should wait till the baby is at least 10 days old if you can. Let the parents do the toughest part before you take over.
Some people feed a lot thicker consistency than I do, but if it's too thick you have more of a chance of it not digesting and causing problems. I'd rather go a bit thinner and have to feed a bit more often.
Glad the video helped and good luck on the lovebirds! They're a riot to feed. There is a point where you reach into the brooder and they all latch onto your fingers and hand! I remember lifting my hand with four kids just hanging on by their beaks! Budgies do the same thing.
:)
Good job
Thank very much for uploading this vedio. . Very helpful. .
Great idea about the cup in a cup! I always wondered how you could keep the formula warm enough. I know formula needs to be fed at a particular temperature, and I couldn't figure out how to KEEP that temperature more stable. Thank you!
Cheers.
Great video very helpful, also you have a beautiful bird.
This helped a lot I mean a lot because I was looking for a video like this!!!!!!!!
How old is the African grey parrot here? Trying to decide whether to get my baby at 3 months or a little bit earlier to hand feed for a little to get used to me
Nice job
DILDAR Qdid I
Yes, you can use this formula on budgies. In fact there are several commercially available handfeeding formulas now available. Any but the smallest of pet shops should carry at least one type. It's really hard to feed a baby that was just hatched, though. You need to feed every hour or two to start with and such tiny birds can only take a drop or possibly two or you risk aspirating them. If there is no alternative then I'd try, though.
this helped alot, ive been looking everywhere online trying to find out how "thin" is thin for the formula.
im feeding two 12 day old lovebirds. soon to be 4, and according to this video ive been making it a little TOO thin.
thanks alot for this video
I've had tiels in the past that were not fully weaned until they were closer to 10 weeks old. You can't just say that a particular species will be weaned in X number of weeks. It's an individual thing to some degree. Sounds like this little one is still wanting some handfeeding. This is one reason why weighing your baby is so good - you can see for sure if he's losing weight or not. If he likes eggs and other things, I'd spend some time twice a day making sure he's eating enough.
What's the temperature like
i have a baby cockatiel, a little more than 2 months old and crying every time he hears me, see me, i go by the cage, hold him.....he is driving me nuts with this cry....the breed said that is was ready to go. he is eating seeds, not alot but eating,,,,loves sunflower seeds, boiled egges, but crying and crying....its is making me a little frustrated, I was so excited and energeric to get him and I lost a little of that because he is all the time crying....how long does this last?
@nitaguru Of course if the breeder has not done this (fed the baby things from their fingers) then it may not go over well. I do it with all my kids as they approach weaning, and also make sure they will eat ANYTHING they're offered. Really makes a difference in being able to give them a great diet later.
since my baby budgie's mom wont accept it can that same formula be used for newlyborn budgies?
where can i get that formula?
@zainalovesgaga I'm not sure, but judging from the look of the kid and his rather lackluster feeding -and that he is only getting one feeding a day- he must be somewhere between 70 and 80 days or so. I really don't think it's necessary to actually DO the handfeeding to bond your baby to you. However, I love the weaning pellets and feed them to the kids after soaking them in warm water. That gives you a great bonding time with your baby when you bring him home.
0_o did she actually taste it with her mouth?
Hey there,
What a beautiful grey! :D
I always thought that at that age the formula should be a lot thicker? Do you have to do a lot more feeds at that consistency? I love using Vetafarm but have tried a few, including my own recipes. :D
Dmitri
Hi, I always feed a bit thinner since there is less chance of the crop slowing and problems resulting. I also find that often the formula you mix if allowed to sit for five or ten minutes would thicken up on its own. I theorize that if that happens sitting on the counter it is likely to also happen inside the crop. Better from my standpoint to feed a bit looser and perhaps a bit more often. :)
good job nitaguru
I use Zupreem Embrace Plus. Many places online carry it.
hello what do u need to do to keep a young macaw like 3 to 4 wks old warm should you like have them in a tank with a special light
I've never raised a macaw but in general, any bird that isn't fully feathered does need supplemental heat. I really like the Aviquarium brooder system I use because the top emits heat into the area (the aquarium) without adding light. It's also really easy to clean because it's a plastic material. One of the easiest ways to supply heat that many use is a heating pad under an aquarium or other container. However, and I learned this the hard way, it's possible a heating pad can have hot spots and also can be rather uneven heat. You could use a heat light or possibly even a regular light, but keeping the temperature pretty even is rather hard to do that way. It really might be worthwhile to invest in a decent brooder since it will take a while to raise this baby. Also if it's just a one-time thing, you could sell it after you've finished with it.
thank you
sweeeeetttt
Do you sell these birds? If so please let me know
what is that food what its name do u know how to make it ????????????????????????????????????????
What age is this bird to be on one feed per day ? thanks
It depends. I try to let the birds tell me when they are ready to have a feeding cut. The greys wean somewhere around 80 days, and for that last week or so they are on a single night feeding, to be sure they don't go to bed hungry.
can somebody answer my question asap my baby cocatiels just know hatched 5 mins ago i will like to know when can i start hand feeding them and what is the proper way. Plus i would like to clean the cage but if removed them will that remove their scent which the mother has on them.
If the parents are feeding well, then I like to wait till the kids are 10 to 14 days old. Some people like to wait till they are 3 weeks old, but I always feel the kids take to handfeeding much quicker when they are a bit younger than that. With budgies I like to wait till they are nearly 3 weeks, though, mainly because they are so small and they seem to have no problem learning to handfeed even if they are 3 weeks old. But tiels, 14 days is ideal. As to the proper way, there are various ways to handfeed. My way is shown in this video. I'm not entirely sure what you mean with your last comment. The babies should be in a nestbox, in which case cleaning the cage should have no effect. I would limit the cleaning to the basics, though. Change the paper in the tray, maybe give the grate a very quick scrape-down. The nestbox should be fine until the kids are ready to be pulled. There really is no "scent" issue with the birds anyway, but I don't really see how it would figure in even if there was. The kids should be secure in the nestbox and you shouldn't need to do anything with it.
Can zebra finches eat this food aswell?
They *can*, but I find Nutristart is finer and easier to feed to finches. If you are using a type of eyedropper, the zupreem may actually clog and not flow well, whereas the Nutristart will not do that.
do I need to leave the parent to feed the baby because they eat seed or I need to add something to there food please write back
If you don't have the time or desire to handfeed the baby, then definitely leave the parents to do the job. You will make it much easier on them (and way better for the kids) if you provide parents with soft foods to feed their kids. Things like eggfood (mashed, hard-boiled egg, mixed with a bit of commercial nestling food or even crushed crackers), sprouted seed, a Beans/Rice/Veggie mix... all are good options. The eggfood is best due to the high protein content, but make sure you don't give too much or it could spoil if not all eaten within a few hours. Handfeeding is a HUGE commitment of time, so if you do decide to do that you need to make sure you will be able to finish the job. Good luck with your baby!
+nitaguru thanks
You're welcome!
If you can spend ten or fifteen minutes in the morning and again in the evening, just making sure he is truly eating and filling his crop, it should make a difference. I honestly think he's hungry.
what is this food name
Can you please tell me how many times should I feed a day old macaw please help!!!!!!!
+Isabel Sheikh I would feed at least 6 times a day, and probably would feed at least once in the middle of the night for the first week as well. I usually let the birds show me how often they need feeding. The crop should be mostly empty between feedings, but "just" emptied. In other words, you don't want them empty for any length of time, but neither do you want to put more food on top of food.
+nitaguru thanx for answering but is it really important to feed them in the middle of the night??
+Isabel Sheikh For a baby only a day old I would. It will help give him a nice boost. I don't like to pull kids till they are 10 days old, but when I'm forced to handfeed a day old chick I find that one middle-of-the-night feeding really helps.
+nitaguru Thanx a lot. This helped me sooo much.😀
+nitaguru somebody also told me that we have to remove the navle but is that important I am really confused??
is there any subsitute of this powder cause i dont get the powder in the stores. plz reply within 2 days!
Where do you live? Is it possible for you to order handfeeding formula online? I know that amazon.com carries it.
NITA sub me cause l subbed ya
can u plz tell me the subsitute of that powder cause the website u told is private & lt does not allows me to enter the website
You should not have any problems going to amazon.com. I use Zupreem handfeeding formula and I know that amazon carries it. Can you tell me your location, please?
nitaguru hi nitaguru, my name is Kim I have a parrot let angel . she is sick right now on antibiotics for respiratory infection. and she's not eating much. do you think I'd be ok feeding her baby formula.
could I use wet cat biscuits and mashed egg for my finch?
I don't know what is in cat biscuits, but I doubt it would be very good for birds. Are the parents not feeding the finch?
nitaguru they havn't been feeding the bubba birdies often.
Are you providing egg food to the parents? They need soft food to feed back to the babies to do a good job.
nitaguru I feed them a soft mixture of quail eggs which is boiled and then mashed
nitaguru I may syringe feed themmashed eggs and warm water
I got kaytee exact but i don't know how to prepare, the label says 1 part of exact by 6 parts of water, how many oz .? Thanks
+MONNYN villa I don't actually measure the handfeeding formula. I go by eye. I put the amount of water (pre-boiled and cooled) that I think I will need into a small cup. The small cup fits into a larger bowl which also has water. I heat that larger container first, so the water is very hot. Then the cup with the water gets heated till it's very warm. To that, I add the formula, little by little, and keep mixing it till it seems about the right consistency. I feed looser than some do, because if you mix the formula and leave it for a while you will find it thickens and i don't want it to thicken too much once it's in the crop. I want it to be easily absorbed by the chick and keep moving through his system. Make a small amount -you can always make more if needed. But throw out what you've mixed and not used. Don't save it. Make only what you will use at that feeding. This usually means you will waste some till you figure out how much you are using.
Thank you very much, you are very kind, I Will do everything you taught me
Great
Looking for a baby love bird female
Thanks for sharing 🇮🇱
shall i leave the baby cockatail to their parents to feed the baby?my male and female cockatail eat birds seeds. or shall I add something to their food so they can take it and feed their baby
Sorry I didn't see this sooner. Hopefully your baby 'tiel is still ok. You should be giving the parents some soft food for them to eat and then feed their baby. Eggfood of some sort - mashed, hard-boiled egg will do, but if you can add some nestling food or dry bread crumbs or something to it to make it more crumbly and less "wet" it is better - or some soaked and sprouted seeds, maybe soaked millet... Generally increasing the protein they get is a good idea. If you do want to handfeed you should wait till the baby is at least 10 days old if you can. Let the parents do the toughest part before you take over.
Thank you so much for help.
You're welcome, and good luck!
ជំរាបសួរបងស្រី សត្វបងគួរអោយស្រលាញ់ណាស់
I do sell Timneh African Greys and also gouldian finches. If you do a search for Nita's Nest you can contact me through my website.
no , eww that would taste digusting
It actually has great smell and u can tell by it's smell that it's good for bird
This is gross on so many levels...
+kristina harder get the fuck outta here bitch...
+Jina Dev that's ironic since I posted that a year ago. Get a life geek
good job nitaguru
what the name of the feed
+tiffiny hanna Zupreem Handfeeding Formula Plus.