Hand Feeding Day Old Chicks

 

Take Caution Before Hand Feeding

Hand sustaining a Ringneck is once in a while essential when a mother won't like her infants legitimately. Hand encouraging a child ringneck, or any parrot so far as that is concerned, takes tolerance and is a long responsibility. The child ringneck should be bolstered ceaselessly like clockwork and this implies during that time as well. Before you choose to go up against such an undertaking, ensure you are prepared for this and please inquire about the theme as mischances can without much of a stretch happen unexpectedly.

In the event that you trust hand sustaining a day old chick is excessively troublesome, or you trust it's excessively tedious, look for a veterinarian who will go up against the undertaking. Most experienced parrot reproducers will readily help in such a circumstance as well.

In the event that you are a built up raiser, encouraging may be a perfect situation–female ringnecks can administer to an infant chick better then any human can. Alongside this predominant consideration, exceptional supplements are exchanged to the chick and this builds up its insusceptible framework and digestive tract. All things considered, on the off chance that you should hand nourish from the very beginning then start the hand sustaining process.

 

Things To Know Before Hand Feeding

Hand feeding a baby Indian Ringneck from day one is a tedious task. The newborn chick, which is small and wiggly, can be difficult to work with and can easily get cold in a matter of minutes. Their small frame makes them difficult to pick up and makes them extremely fragile. When handling, always disinfect your hands and always make sure to handle the baby ringneck gently.

If the chick was hatched from an incubator do not feed it until six hours after hatching. Feeding the chick too early can kill it.

If the baby ringneck is taken from its parents place the chick inside a brooder and let it warm up. The brooder should be around 95 degrees ferinheight. Though some breeders keep the temperature around 97-98 degrees, I find 95 degrees keeps the chick comfortable enough and stable. If the chick is panting, remove him from the brooder to cool down and decrease the degree by 1 until the chick stops panting.

Once the baby ringneck has been warmed, the first feeding can begin. For any reason at all if food is in the crop from it parents, let this get digested before you feed it. You will see a clear milky liquid in the crop if food is present.

Though it would be ideal to have a plastic pipette, or a syringe specially for hand feeding, an eye dropper will work until a pipette or syringe can be purchased. An eye dropper is small enough to complete the job and will work; however, a syringe will need to be purchased as the chick’s gets bigger.

Tips for hand feeding day old chicks

• Feed formula between 105F-108F.
• For 1st feeding, use only an electrolyte solution.
• Wash all feeding utensils.
• Keep the baby warm. If it gets too cold this could stop digestion.
• Change the paper towels after every feeding.
• If an emergency arises call an avian vet immediately.
• Never force the chick to eat if it does not want more.
• Do not over fill the corp.
• During the 1st few feedings a couple of drops will suffice.
• Feed every two hours, or until the crop is almost empty.

The First Feeding

The first feeding of the chick should be with an electrolyte solution that is unflavored, such as Pedialyte. This electrolyte solution should be given to the chick for the first feeding; this ensures the chick’s digestion tract is working correctly. If the crop empties, it’s time to feed a commercial hand feeding formula.

To do this, gently place a drop of the electrolyte solution on the LEFT side of the baby ringneck’s mouth. Most baby ringnecks will gladly accept the food. If you find the baby is not taking in any of the liquid, place him back inside the brooder and wait fifteen minutes before you try again. Some babies need to practice this before they understand eating from a pipette or syringe. If the baby ringneck will still not accept food, make sure the food is warm enough. Having a hot glass of water next to you would be ideal as holding the pipette in it for a few seconds will warm it up. Make sure to test it on your wrist to ensure it is not scolding hot.

Commercial Hand Feeding Formula

I personally recommend Kaytee’s Exact. I have never lost a bird using this formula and it’s probably, in opinion, the best out there. According to Kaytee’s Exact feeding formula it “contains probiotics to encourage a healthy population on intestinal microorganisms. Also, digestive enzymes (amylase and protease) are included to insure adequate digestion of carbohydrates and proteins.”

It’s obvious this formula was designed for feeding hatchlings to adults. To be sure the baby ringnecks don’t dehydrate I like to substitute the electrolyte solution instead of water for the first five days when using Exact hand feeding formula. If you don’t want to use an electrolyte solution always use the chart shown on the box for mixing the formula. According to Exact, it’s 1 part formula, 6 parts water for a chick that’s 2 days and younger.

The first two days of feeding with the formula will be thin and watery. As the chick grows older increase the thickness and the feedings. It’s important to watch the crop of the chick. Make sure the chick is making healthy droppings and is taking its food regularly.