You are here:

Birds--General/air in babies crop

Advertisement

Expert: - 1/5/2008


Question
I am hand feeding a 3 1/2 wk old tiel and he has air in the crop, I read a posting about burping the baby but I can't seem to get it all out, can I hurt him doing this?  What can happen if I don't get all the air out?

Answer
Hi, Patti,

You may not be able to get it all out.  Yes, you can hurt the baby if you aren't careful, i.e., if you press too hard or if you push handfeeding formula up the esophagus where formula can enter the trachea, which results in aspirating the baby (or results in aspiration pneumonia).  Both aspiration and aspiration pneumonia can result in death.  Aspiration will occur within minutes (the baby will die quickly because it can't breathe).  Aspiration pneumonia requires a avian vet visit and antibiotic treatment to resolve if you discover it soon enough.  Nothing will happen if you don't get it all out, except that getting the air out makes room for more formula and makes the baby more comfortable.  What happens is the baby takes in air during handfeeding, which results in air in the crop.  Air in the crop is like air in our stomachs.  We can burp to get the air out.

Chrys

Birds--General

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.