Problem With Hand Rearing Chicks

[jenene283 0]

Last week I tried to hand rear my 3 3-week old chicks. I was feeding them with a syringe with a good quality handrearing mix and not long after feeding them they would shake their heads (in a way similar as if they had something on their face and they are trying to shake it off) for a least a few minutes. I am wondering why they do this. I have reared larger parrots for years and have never come across this before and am wondering what would cause them to do this. I was so concerned that I ended putting them back with their parents to finish rearing them, as I didnt want to lose them. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

[Daz 0]

They are throwing up....Why? I don't know. What was in the mix?

[jenene283 0]

They are throwing up....Why? I don't know. What was in the mix?

I was using Vetafarm Neocare Handrearing Mix with Probotic and predigestives. It also has soy protein,oats, corn,vegetable oil,calcium carbonate,vitamins and minerals.

[Daz 0]

Well I am a big user of Vetafarm so I can't say thats the problem. Have you got the mix consistency correct?

[jenene283 0]

Well I am a big user of Vetafarm so I can't say thats the problem. Have you got the mix consistency correct?

 

Hi

Yes I mixed it to the right consistency. Not tool thick and not too runny. I am clueless!!

[*Nerwen* 0]

Sorry if this is seeming like a lot of pointless questions but we are just always after a bigger picture. You stated you use a syringe, your not using a crop tube as well? I read that the miss placement of that can irate the oesophagus. which might explain this behaviour.

[jenene283 0]

Sorry if this is seeming like a lot of pointless questions but we are just always after a bigger picture. You stated you use a syringe, your not using a crop tube as well? I read that the miss placement of that can irate the oesophagus. which might explain this behaviour.

 

No I have never used a crop tube, as I've heard if you dont know what you are doing it can kill them (food goes into lungs instead of stomach). To feed them I just slowly squirt the food into their mouth from the corner of their beak. Have never had a problem doing it that way with King Parrots, Princesses etc.

[*Nerwen* 0]

okay thanks for that info, I thought it was like that.

[Guest Lin]

Have you got it the right temperature? Not too hot, not too cold? Can't remember the temp it is meant to be for budgies, but the info should be on the packet. At that age they should be feeding off a spoon, not from a syringe as well

[jenene283 0]

Have you got it the right temperature? Not too hot, not too cold? Can't remember the temp it is meant to be for budgies, but the info should be on the packet. At that age they should be feeding off a spoon, not from a syringe as well

Thanks very much for that information, will try the spoon!!!

[Daz 0]

Here is some information those game enough to use a Crop Needle

Product Information - Crop Needle

Edited April 5, 2006 by daz

[jenene283 0]

Here is some information those game enough to use a Crop Needle

Product Information - Crop Needle

 

 

Here is some information those game enough to use a Crop Needle

Product Information - Crop Needle

 

 

Am very happy to report that all is well with my chicks!! I perservered with the spoon feeding and they eventually got the hang of it and they are thriving. It was touch and go for a while as it took a few days for them to work out how to get the food from the spoon into their beak! So thankyou everyone for your input - it is great to have this website to ask questions and have so many caring people offer suggestions. Thanks again.