AboutRev. Dr. S.August Abbott Expertise Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council member; Own animal rescue org; National Wildlife habitat #66378; bird care, nutrition & behavior consultant; International Assoc. of Animal Behavior Consultants Associate; National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club member; published bird care, info and behavior articles and guides.
Ongoing education in exotic bird behavior and nutrition
I can answer behavioral, nutritional, environmental, characteristic/personality questions as well as general health and health care.
No animal emergency can ever be addressed on the internet. We cannot see your animal, perform an examination, provide necessary care or medication.
Please value your companion for the priceless, living creature they are; not for what you might have paid for them.
Experience For more than 30 years I've worked with veterinarians, protective facilities, nature centers, preserves and on my own in providing care and education with regard to multiple animal species, including raptors (hawks, kestrals, owls, etc) and marsupials. In recent years I've focused on parrots, usually rescued from abusive or less than ideal situations and helping educate owners as to proper care. Expert in behavior studies and modification of problem behavior.
Organizations 4AnimalCare is the organization I run as an animal ministry; World Wildlife Association, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club and more
Publications Bird Talk Magazine articles about rescued and problem macaws.
Education/Credentials Doctorate, Ordained Minister
Question i have a 4 weeks old indian ring neck chick, he seems quite well, his droping are also well, he is warm but the problem is he doesnt seems intersted in hand feeding him and also doesnt make noise, just a little teeny weeny sound.
Answer Pulling a chick for hand feeding should be done only about 2 weeks before they’ll wean (which means you only have to provide about 2-3 feedings a day).
Weaning ages vary depending on the type of bird.
Carefully place the baby (chick) on a towel and gently cup your hand around the body for support.
You can use an eyedropper or small syringe available at all bird shops and many pet stores specifically for this task. As you approach the baby with the food, they will often instinctively open their mouths for feeding - their crop is going to be to their right side of the throat, so angle the dropper/syringe to be sure it goes there.
As the instrument touches the inside of their mouth, they will typically start pumping at it (they are doing their part to help you through this), slowly, but steadily dispense the formula.
When the formula is emptied, take a look at the crop. It’s going to look like a pouch at their right side of the throat area. It’s supposed to bulge.
Depending on how much the eyedropper or syringe holds and the type of bird (and the age), you may have to offer another feeding right away. If the bird has a full crop, both of you will know it and the bird won’t be so anxious to accept the device.
It usually doesn’t take too long before you become comfortable with feedings and they can be done relatively quickly; however, I prefer to not go too fast and enjoy the bonding. This isn’t to say make it such a slow process that the chick becomes stressed or overly anxious, but not treating it like an assembly line job (to just get it over with) may be nicer for both of you.
As the chick gets older and begins eating a bit on their own, many owners like to supplement their diet with spoon feedings of a thicker mix of the formula. At first, this means holding the spoon to their beaks much in the same way as the dropper or syringe was and letting the mixture just fall into their mouths. It’s messy for sure, but pretty soon they’ll start bending their head down to take the mixture off the spoon themselves.
It’s important to not offer formula for too long since it’s high in fat and can cause health problems when fed to weaned birds. In sick, older and special needs birds there are exceptions. It’s something that needs to at least be discussed with an avian professional. http://www.cockatiel.org/articles/handfeeding.html
