On Saturday we discovered our first cockatiel baby, I'm thinking it's about 5 days old. Hadn't seen it on daily checks as the father is very grumpy and I didn't want to move him out of the way to check the eggs. The chick had a full crop and looked very contented. The father has sat on the egg and been in the nest most of the time, the mother doesn't seem interested in the box after she laid the eggs? I know it was the father because he was on the top during mating

 

 

This morning I noticed that both parents were out of the nest box for quite a long time, so I went to check on the chick and it was frozen with only a little food in it's crop. I cupped it in my warm hands and blew warm air on it and it come back quite well. I have placed it with a good budgie mum for the time being until I can get a crop needle (having trouble finding one anywhere near me, everyone has sold out). The budgie has been feeding it with her other chicks and I know this is not a permanent solution but hoping it will do until I can get a crop needle expressed posted to me off the internet.

I have some plastic tubing would this be suitable to use as a crop needle?

Edited November 24, 200816 yr by Denise

I cant answer your question, I am still to afraid to crop feed yet, but I wish you luck, losing any chicks sucks

I don't use a needle I use rubber tubing (it's actually bicycle valve tubing) on a plastic syringe. If you need any help on how to use the tubing let me know

 

I have to go out for an hour or so but read this thread about my experience using tubing:

 

http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index....922&hl=crop

Edited November 24, 200816 yr by melbournebudgies

If you have never crop fed before I'd be very careful - there's a real danger of killing the bird if you dont get the tube in the right spot! Be careful the budgie doesnt attack the chick as once she realises its not one of hers she might try to kill it. (Im speaking from experience) Good luck!

The main thing is to hold the tubing in your right hand and angle it to your left, then once you have it in gently feel the crop and you should be able to feel it, as long as you can feel the tubing it's gone down the right hole, if you aren't sure or you can't feel the tubing maybe take it out and try again.

I have used a crop needle a number of times now. I would not recomend Crop feeding for any baby unless they REFUSE food any other way.

But a chick that young should take food straight off a spoon with out any issues

Really Liv? I have found it extremely difficult to spoon feed, I much prefer to crop feed. I find they end up coughing and spluttering a lot more when fed off a spoon

I mean with a needle

 

I have seen birds that willingly swallow a tube without the feeder even needing to do anything other than hold it up - it's easy and clean.

Many people use spoons with tiels too. :hap:

Most vets will also be able to teach you or if you know of a Budgie breeder near you. Call your local club hopefully someone will be willing to help.

 

I personally like the tube better then the needle and so does my vet as he says there is less chance of you doing damage with a soft tube then a hard needle. Either way goodluck

My little yellow crest bred one will swallow the tube, whereas others you just about have to force them

Your yellow crested one will swallow anything it thought was food!

Yep, including fingers, noses...anything it can get it's beak into really

Sorry I should have stated that I have used a crop needle before (it's just been misplaced after we had a big clean up so I've ordered a new one).

 

Spoon was a catastrophe but the little fuzz ball took the formula straight from the syringe with no problems :hap:

 

This one was supposed to go to my sister in law but after having to hand feed it I don't think I'll be able to part with it

 

 

Forgot to ask will it be warm enough by himself in an ice cream container with cotton wool under a lamp? Or would something else be better?

Edited November 24, 200816 yr by Denise

I wouldn't use cotton wool personally, I prefer rolled oats. It would be good if you have a thermometer to check the temp under the light.

Here is an updated photo of our little girl. She is about 8-9 days old now and almost got her eyes fully open. (sorry to those that are members of Liv's Cockatiel forum as I posted it on there too).

 

Check out that crop!!!

What a little cutie :rofl:

 

There is nothing wrong with posting on both forums

Edited November 29, 200816 yr by **Liv**

What a great job your doing, I wish I was a little more confident with supplyment feeding etc, as I may have saved a few budgie chicks by now, but I have just brought a copy of a book called "Hand-Feeding and Raising Baby Birds" and going to get stuck into it tonight and hopefully if my help is needed in the future I may have a little more success.

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

 

That is so cute :rofl:

Just an updated photo of 'Tess', she is 3 weeks old now.

 

she is very cute i hope she will continue to grow up strong! good luck with the little one