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Birds--General/Handfeeding redrump babies

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Expert: - 4/10/2006


Question
How long should we wait until we start feeding the babies after they hatch, is it 24hrs?  Let us know please as we have had our first one hatch tonight.  Thanks!
Bobby and Kris

Answer
Hi, Bobby and Kris.  Thanks for posting.

Did you incubate the eggs or are there parent birds available?  If parent birds are available, you can let the babies stay with the parents for feeding until about 8-10 days of age, then pull the babies for handfeeding.  If you incubated them, their egg sack will nourish them for the first 24 hours.  Then you will need to handfeed them every couple hours (whenever their crops are empty) 24 hours per day (even during the night) until they are about 5-7 days old.  After about 7 days of age, you don't have to feed them during the nighttime any longer, but should handfeed them at least 4 times per day (morning, noon, evening, bedtime).

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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