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Post by alibaloch on May 13, 2016 0:08:48 GMT -5
So my name is ali, i got my first quaker today, i live in maryalnd baltimore area.
He is about 5-6 weeks old,
The shop gave me formula and syringe but i dont know how to feed a bird, well i know how to feed but i dont know what to do?! If that makes any sence,
Am i suppose to warm the formula?
How much formula am i giving my baby?
How do i know if he is full?
How do i know if he is hungry?
Thanks alot once again
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Post by zim on May 13, 2016 1:43:30 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum! I'm very surprised to hear a shop sold you a bird that is still feeding from a syringe, without you having experience with that. I know very little about it myself, hopefully someone more knowledgable can chime in. But I did want to pop in and say that I've read the temperature of the formula is crucial. A quick google search turned up this article, I hope it helps you some: www.wingsaviary.com/Handfeeding_instructions.html |
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Post by Jan and Shah on May 13, 2016 7:09:37 GMT -5
If you have a bird breeder close by, you may be able to ask them. Otherwise, I would go to your closest avian vet and get them to show you what needs to be done.
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Post by wsteinhoff on May 13, 2016 11:38:38 GMT -5
I don't think the shop should have sold a bird that young to someone with no experience or without at least saying what to do. I have no experience hand feeding Quakers but it's going to be similar to other birds. As was said the temperature of the food is crucial. If it is too hot to you when you put it to the inside of your wrist it is definitely too hot for the bird. Food needs to be warm but too hot and it will burn the birds crop causing serious damage. As for how much to feed you'll need to learn to watch the birds crop which you should be able to find on the birds right side slightly above the breast. If the bird isn't fully feathered then it'll be much easier to find the crop. It will swell up like a ballon when it is full but you don't want to fill it too much either where the crop feels firm. Don't squeeze the crop when feeling it or the bird could aspirate and die. Also don't give the bird more food if there is still some in the crop, mixing the new food with old food can give the bird sour crop. How often to feed depends on the type of bird and the age of the bird. Generally at very young ages it is around every 20 minutes and gradually moves up to around every 2 hours or so. Birds generally don't feed their young at night but the baby needs food at least 12 hours each day. Caring for a baby bird is a lot of work, I hope you had at least some idea what you were getting yourself into.
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Post by julianna on May 13, 2016 13:03:25 GMT -5
Sorry... but I have never fed a baby quaker. I agree that the shop should not have sold you such a young baby. I can only wish you the best of luck and feel free to ask any other questions you might have on Quakers. There are a lot of knowledgeable people on this site who can help you in many other ways.
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Post by cnyguy on May 13, 2016 20:15:59 GMT -5
Welcome! I have no experience with handfeeding a baby parrot. As others have recommended, an avian vet or experienced parrot breeder might be able to help you-- see if you can find someone in your area that would be willing to help. The companion site, quakerparrots.com, has several articles that might be helpful, like this one on handfeeding. |
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Post by alibaloch on May 15, 2016 22:02:19 GMT -5
He is not very eager to eat, i figured out the correct temperature and working on handfeeding.
Is there any way i can post pictures or videos.
His top of the head feathers are up. Like he is either cold, sick or scared.
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Post by easttex on May 16, 2016 5:25:01 GMT -5
Your little one should be eating something with enthusiasm. It's critical for his development. If I were you, I would take him back to the shop right away and make them show you how to feed him. And don't leave until you're comfortable doing it yourself. In the meantime, you could try letting him eat the formula from a spoon instead of the syringe, to see if that helps.
If it's possible that he's a bit older than the shop estimated, he could be ready to start weaning. Have you tried offering any solid foods?
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Post by julianna on May 16, 2016 14:00:49 GMT -5
If the top feathers are pointy then they are pin feathers and that is normal. As each feather is lost and a new one replaced, they come out wrapped in sort of like a wax paper which makes the feathers stand firm. Once these new feathers have grown a little, the coating will dry and can be removed by you or the bird. Just be very careful when touching these feathers as they can be very painful to the bird. Some of the pin feathers will contain blood at first and you will find out very quickly not to touch those. A very gentle rubbing in one direction can help ease the release of the new feather.
Now with that said... when a bird is cold... all of their feathers will be puffed up. When they are scared the feathers usually lie very flat and their necks will be stretched out... looking for the enemy.
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