Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 1/4/2007

Question
I am concerned about how often the parents of my 2 1/2 week old cockatiel feed their baby- they both feed the baby aproximately every 15 minutes and his crop is very full all of the time (like a giant bubble).  I've heard of sour crop and I was just wondering if the parents could be overfeeding the baby.  Also, when I will start hand-feeding the baby, should I completely separate it from the parents from then on?  I'm finding that the baby is not hungry or willing to eat from the syringe when I try to start hand-feeding it because it's crop is already so full.

Answer
Hi, Sophie.  Thanks for posting!

Your parent birds are feeding their baby properly.  The baby's crop should be full all the time when the parents are feeding...they are good parents!  Sour crop is when the crop stops working, i.e., food is not metabolized/digested.

Yes, when you start handfeeding, which should have already started, you must remove the baby completely from the parents and keep it separate.  Of course, when the baby gets older, you can allow it to be friends with it's parents.  

The reason the baby isn't taking the handfeedings is that it isn't hungry since the parents are still handfeeding it.  It will be a completely different situation once you pull the baby for handfeeding.  When you handfeed, you need to let the crop empty between feedings.  When the crop is empty or nearly empty, the baby will beg for food, and will willingly take the handfeeding.  However, being handfed is a learning experience for both you and the baby bird.  I mean, the baby isn't going to take handfeeding easily the first time or so.  The baby will need to adjust to it's new way of being fed.  The baby will need to be fed at least 4 times per day (or whenever it's crop is nearly empty).    

Once you separate this baby from it's parents, you'll need to keep the baby in a brooder of some type so it will have the required heat it needs.  Since this baby is alone, sometimes it helps when you separate a single bird from it's parents to put a small stuffed animal in with the baby so it has something to lean against or to keep it company.  

Come back with any additional questions.