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Birds--General/burping baby cockatiel

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Expert: - 1/6/2008


Question
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I am not sure if I am burping him right, I am afraid the crop will pop when I burp him, it that possible?

Answer
Hi again, Patti,

To burp your baby, you should be gently pushing up or gently squeezing between 2 fingers the top area of the crop where the air is located.  When you do this, the air should be coming back out of the bird's mouth.  You may not hear the air, but you should be able to see the air leave the top of the crop.  Do not push up/squeeze on the crop where the food is located.  You should be working on the area above the level of the food in the crop.  You don't have to push/squeeze hard...a gentle squeeze will get the air out.  If you do this right, you will not pop the crop.  A bird's crop is fairly flexible and you can actually see the air in the crop...it will be the area above the formula and you should be able to see through the skin in the crop to see what you are doing.  Get all you can out and the bird will be able to do the rest.  

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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