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Birds--General/feeding baby pigeons

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Expert: - 8/25/2007


Question
i have two orphaned babys and i need to feed them i have the formula and a syringe .how do you get the beak open without hurting the baby it seems cruel to do this and yet i know they have to eat? any help would be grateful  peace

Answer
Hi, Mars,

It isn't cruel at all to open the beak with your fingers far enough to insert the end of the syringe in their mouth in order to administer the handfeeding formula.  It would be cruel NOT to do this in order to nourish them.  They may not take to this at first, but after once or twice, they will be eager to eat.  I gently pry the upper and lower mandibles open, insert the syringe, push the food into the crop, and the birds are fed!  After a while, they will be very glad to see you because they know they are going to be fed.

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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