Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 7/12/2008

Question
I found a baby dove 2 days ago.  I am not sure how old it is, but when I 2 days ago it was not standing on its legs and today it is able to stand, but is very unsteady and wobbly.  It still has very dark, stringy looking/greasy looking feathers.  I've been hand feeding it by very lightly tapping/touching a medicine dropper with baby formula up to its beak.  However, it aspirates through its nose every time I feed it.  I don't dip its nose in the formula.  I know it is not normal for aspiration, so should I try a feeding it something with more consistency to it, i.e., consistency of oatmeal, etc.?  Thanks for any help you can offer.

Answer
Hi, Kelly,

This baby will likely die if you don't stop the aspiration.  The baby might get pneumonia, which will make it ill, and then eventually the bird might pass away.  What type of baby formula are you using (human or baby parrot handfeeding formula)?  You need to make sure the formula is the consistency of a melted milk shake, little bit more runny than oatmeal/cream of wheat, more like pudding.  Try using baby parrot handfeeding formula (available at most pet stores) and/or thicken up the formula you are using with some human infant baby food (strained) or baby cereal.  When you feed, you need to put the medicine dropper into the back of the baby's throat, not just into the baby's mouth.  Guide the dropper over the bird's tongue and into the back of the throat, making sure you don't scratch the throat in the process.  Then give some water the same way.  If you buy baby parrot handfeeding formula, see if the pet store has a handfeeding syringe...these often work better than eye/medicine droppers.  Ensure the formula is 102-104 degrees   F when the formula is fed to the baby.  Otherwise, crop problems can occur.  The baby also has to be kept at about 99 deg F 24/7 so the food can metabolize.  

Aspiration can also be caused if you are feeding too much formula.  If formula backs up into the bird's neck (you should be able to see the formula through the thin skin in the bird's neck), you are overfeeding.  It's better to feed small amounts more often than too much several times per day.

Chrys