Birds--General/baby finch

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Expert: - 1/23/2008


Question
please can you tell me what to feed a new born finch

Answer
Hi, Chris,

I found your post in the question pool this morning.  For some reason, the person you sent your post originally to could not answer.

Use baby parrot handfeeding formula that you can purchase at most pet stores that cater to birds.  It's also available on the internet.  Buy the regular type, not the type for macaws.  I use Kaytee Exact, but there are other brands on the market.  You can use something like infant baby formula or Ensure Plus (vanilla flavoring only) for a short time until you can get the formula.  This has to be offered at about 102 degrees F when FED to the baby.  

What are you going to use to get the food into the baby's crop?  You can try the smallest pipette or eye dropper you can find.  Pipettes and handfeeding syringes can be found on the internet.  A baby finch is so very tiny and will need to be handfed every hour 24 hours a day for the first week (be prepared to get up many times during the night).  The crop may only hold a drop or 2 at most at this young age, and you will need to keep the crop full at all times.  The baby will also need to be kept at about 98 degrees F 24/7 until it has some feathers to keep itself warm and for food metabolism.  

What happened to the parents?

Chrys

Birds--General

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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.

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