Hand Rearing Budgerigars

[Daz 0]

As so many people seem to be into hand rearing, I thought I would do a topic that can be linked back to.

 

Feeding Chicks from newly hatched. The first feed of the day for three days should be a quality yoghurt with a high live organism count. Next feed a mixture of the suggested amounts of Hand rearing food and pre-boiled water heated to about 50deg C. allow the prepared mixture to stand for 2 minutes to absorb all the water. Remix and if too thick reheat and add a little water to make the desired constancy. Bring the prepared food to 35deg C and feed with a spoon or syringe fill the crop full, taking care not to introduce food to the windpipe.

 

Feed prepared Hand rearing food 4 to 6 times daily when the chicks are very young reducing to 3 to 4 feeds per day as the chick gets older. Feed small amounts frequently and allow the crop to empty completely at least once each day. Thoroughly clean utensils before each food preparation. Food must be prepared fresh for each meal. Discard all uneaten food.

 

Growth of Chicks. Weigh chicks at the same time each day. Daily weight gain will fluctuate but on average healthy chicks should gain from 10% to 20% of their body weight each day. Weight loss could indicate the onset of disease but often means the chick is not getting enough food. Health chicks that do not gain weight may need more solids in the mix, more food at each feed or more feed per day.

 

Weaning chicks. Provide adult type food to chicks once they are fully feathered or begin to resist being hand fed. To wean onto Pellets or crumbles, reduce the number of feeds and offer some moistened pellets in a dish. Once the chick starts eating the moist pellets, stop hand feeding and offer only dry pellets. Chicks will naturally lose some weight during weaning.

 

# Probotics. Some parrot hand rearing products either include Probotics in their formula or recommend the use of a probotic product. Probotics are live bacteria feed supplements that may have a beneficial effect on a birds intestinal microbial populations. Most probotics contain several strains of bacteria, none of which has been demonstrated to be normal intestinal inhabitants of parrots. Commercial probotic suppliments are expensive to use and have short expiry dates. A quality yoghurt that contains live Acidophillus and Biffidus bacteria produces a similar result and is considerably cheaper to use.

 

 

This information has come from Passwell Hand Rearing Product.

 

The mix for growing chicks differs from product to product. All ways read the recommendations on the packet and use accordingly.

 

# I personally use a Probotic with my birds and will continue to do so.

Edited September 18, 2008 by Elly
Added to FAQ

[LILBABYBUDGIES 0]

wow thanks thats great advice!

[**KAZ** 0]

A Good Book

 

The Common Sense Guide To Handfeeding Baby Birds

 

by Sharon O'Connor

 

Published by Avian Publications!

 

Breaking the myth that handfeeding baby birds requires years of training and practice, this guide details a safe and clever solution to handfeeding. Using techniques the author has developed to meet a baby bird's requirements for warmth, cleanliness, frequency of feeding, proper formulas, correct temperature, and correct technique, this book will have you feeding baby birds like a pro in no time.

 

Item Number: 903

 

ISBN: 0910335028

 

Pages: 139 pp.

 

Published: 2005

 

Illustrations: Black/white photos, drawings, and charts

 

Binding: Paperback

 

Size: 6" x 9"

 

Price: $19.95

 

 

 

http://www.avianpublications.com/items/breeding/item903.htm