Handfeeding..

[amazing greys]

Jim if Teo was on about 3 feedings when he came home to you, did you need to do anything to keep him warm? I imagine they have feathers and such where you don't have to worry about heat as much as if they were younger.

Shirley or anyone, is there a better method of having a homemade brooder than using a heating pad? I see they have ones that you set on top of the aquarium, but it's like $150 but also controls humidity which is important and lacks when you use just a heating pad?

And where can I find a good scale that would fit a growing Macaw?

[Shirley]

I have the aquarium top incubator (won it in a baby bird photo contest/BirdTalk magazine) and it doesn't control humidity... it just heats. We used it to hatch Troy's snake eggs. It's large and heavy, but would work for larger parrots.

You don't have to incubate birds once they have their feathers, not just pins.

The incubator we use the most is a home-made one from a breeder who sells them at bird shows... it's small for Bourke's, and someone larger, is a RubberMaid tub with AC and DC electrical connections, which is great for car travel. It has a built-in fan, which the other one does not have. It was $150 as I recall.

Scale? Use a food scale (larger one) that has grams and ounces. Or put the bird in a container, like a small rubbermaid container, then weigh that on the smaller scale, subtract the weight of the container.

:)

[Jim]

Hmmmm..... Do they need incubated till they have feathers? You got me thinking so I had to look for pics. By the date on the pics Teo is 32 days old here. I know it's warn in the nursery and I don't know much about incubator time. He does have down feathers in the picks as you can see. Maybe it's a bigger bird thing and when the feathers come in for the incubator time. :shrug2:

Staples or most other office supply stores have 'postage scales' with the tare feature. Like 20-40 bucks. Big enough and the tare takes away the math. Set the container or perch on the scale, zero it and weigh.

Barb I picked these photos just for you.;) See my little Teo boy hugging that Grey.:heart: :)

[amazing greys]

Thanks Shirley.


The reason for my asking is the breeder gave me several choices of what I wanted to do as far as handfeeding....

Of course this is after watching and getting experienced in knowing what to do and stuff. I get the jist of it, have read alot, but actually seeing it and relating to actual days old and when they start getting pins, and fledging I wasn't quite sure on- didn't know if species are different.

$450.00 for just out of the nest

$500.00 @ about 4 feedings

$600.00 @ about 2 feedings

$800.00 fully weaned

Naturally going with the 2nd to last one, I felt more comfortable in not having to brooder him and run into any problems. But thought of possibly getting him younger maybe at the 4 feedings. So I'm thinking cost of getting needed supplies vs her feeding him. Maybe I can also ask if I can visit and help feed him (kinda like Petsmart does when you get a baby bird- they required you to come for a couple feedings).

I was also reading that everyone may have a different feel when feeding and that no persons are the same, which may conflict with the bird accepting a different feeder. Have you heard this or is this true?

[amazing greys]

:wub: :wub: :wub: AWWWWWWWW JIM!!! :wub: :wub: :wub:



Just think.........:woot: Can't wait!!!


Love the second pic, that is soooo sweet. Teo's keepin the baby Grey warm, that's his buddy :D

[Jim]

Barb, forgot before. We didn't do anything more than keep him in a warm part of the house and a towel over half of the container.

[parrotgirl]

The pics are just so precious Jim, I would have to have brought them both home with me, what a hardship that would have been:rofl: Teo is just too cute in the pics.


Barb, can't wait to see the pics of baby B&G:woot:

[SadennaAndFlock]

If they are feathered they don't need to be incubated as Shirley said, the gal I work for once her babies are feathered enough to come out of the AICU (Animal Intensive Care Unit) she uses critter keepers and rubber maid containers with shavings on top of a heating pad and a towel. nothing fancy and it won't eat the pocket book and has worked for her for years now with no problems.

[Jim]

Thanks guys. I should've said the pics were for all you Grey lovers, Barb, Peta, Leah, Shirley, Suzy and anyone I may have missed.

Yes Barb we need pics of that baby when the time comes. I have a special request. I want pics of you feeding that monster... I mean baby. I'll give you a little hint why. Those Caws are some aggressive feeders. Did I mention loud too when they're hungry. Video would be prefect, we could see and hear the bird but mostly I want to hear you going -- O, O, O my, there's formula everywhere and all over my baby.:rofl: :agree: :rofl:

[amazing greys]

Thanks everyone for your input.


:roflmao2: roflol Jim, guess I need to get that tripod, and have plenty cleaning stuff around :p


So if Teo was 32 days old (the age I'm thinking of getting my baby at) and has down and pins coming in........then the heating pad method would work? How do you regulate the temp. properly? Would I be setting it on low or med with a rubbermaid container?

And are shavings healthy for them?

Guess I'll be finding out more when I go visit the breeder and watch her with the Greys, just wanted to be more educated before I go, lol.

Ohhhh it's gonna be sooo hard to see those baby Greys and not want one. Already asked if we can go ahead and get a Grey, and they will be weaned before the B&G comes :rotflmao: ohhh I'm baaaaaad :nuts:

[Shirley]

If you use a heating pad...
Keep it under the container, not IN the container... and a towel between the container and the pad, and have the pad only under 1/2 the container.

Breeders have successfully used heating pads BUT regulating the temp is very hard compared to a regulating temp with a regular incubator, and your worst nightmare would be to get the bird too hot.

As the pins come in, and the bird gets a little bigger, the temp is gradually lowered.

87-89 degrees for no pins, then lower it a little as the bird grows, and when feathers are out, then room temp (72-78)

And everything Sadenna said. :)

I wouldn't be afraid to get one on 4 feedings IF you know all the ins and outs of handfeeding. Don't go younger... it's not worth the risk to the baby.

The breeders I know will NOT sell to someone if they cannot DEMONSTRATE superb handfeeding knowledge. That means they come do the handfeeding for a week before the baby comes home... not every feeding, but some of them.

Yes, the bird gets used to you and your feeding style, so learn the style the breeder uses... Also, the bird may not eat for 12 hrs anyway just because you are "not their mommy", but that will change come morning and he's starving. He'll likely take it with no hesitation.

[Jim]

Hmmmmm.... To me 30 or so days old is pretty young Barb. Here is what I worked out with Steve. I wanted to bring both birds home as some as possible, not for the bonding thing, I wanted that little brain to learn all it could at the right time. Not waste time relearning my house, mannerisms, voice, etc. Anyway we worked out that when he felt the bird was healthy and stable they would come here. I don't have the knowledge of what to look for at that young of an age.

And what Shirley and Sadenna said. :agree:

[amazing greys]

Thanks Shirley :)


I agree I wouldn't feel comfortable going younger, best left to the expert when they are that young and delicate. I will have all the knowledge I can get by the time he comes to me, and yes I will also be feeding him while he's there too after watching the Greys and him. I am one of reseach and hands on training and wouldn't want it any other way because I would NEVER want to jepordize him.

I have spoon fed Sinbad at times when I 1st make his oatmeal w/apples in the morning. He will bob his head when I go to feed him with a spoon to give him a taste. He'll do this a couple times then just eat from the bowl. He doesn't demand this, but I think more of a comfort from his mama. :heart:

[amazing greys]

Jim I see what you are saying, that's why personally I would feel more comfortable at 2 feedings just because he wouldn't be so fragile......but I will have from 3wks from now until Aug/Sept to learn all I can from her, then will be there when he is out of the nest to watch and then help with feedings.


I do know some of the dangers already and with her guidance I feel I will be equipt enough to be able to do it. Guess when the time comes she & I will judge from there. I wouldn't mind paying the extra $100 to ensure his stability, but also think if I am capable enough, that I would love to have a part in raising him from that age and he will know for sure who mama is ;)

Trust me, I do NOT want to do ANYTHING to be irresponsible and hurt him or kill him!!

[Shirley]

Holly does that to my finger every morning... I uncover her, stick my finger in, she takes it in her beak and head bobs for a bit, then is done. :funny:

I spoonfeed even though it's messier. If you are careful, then syringe feeding (not forcefeeding) is really nice and not as messy. Mainly, you just don't want the syringe to be stuck and then all of a sudden "let got" and squirt the food in suddenly. I also don't put the syringe down to the crop like many breeders do. I let the bird take it as he wishes, and swallow it himself.

Temp is important... I use a meat thermometer.

And I let the crop be almost empty or empty before the next feeding. And... especially over night... empty drop in the a.m. before feeding. You don't want to end up with a yeast infection in the crop, (sour crop.) undigested food and then adding more to it... they need to empty the crop before the next feeding, especially the 1st in the a.m. feeding.

Sadenna? any different ideas?

[amazing greys]

very good advise Shirley, as that is what I have read so far. I agree with not force feeding, and letting them eat as they go. I also know the temp plays a very important part in the feeding, and know the dangers from too hot or too cold. Along with making sure the crop is empty in the am.


Wow, I feel I'm doing good so far to be on cue with what you have said and what I have learned already. :D

[Jim]

Barb I think your plan is great. You and the breeder will both know when things are right for both you and that sweet little baby. Makes me feel good that you are talking, getting ideas, researching and coming up with a plan that will work for you. What a lucky bird s/he is.

[Shirley]

makes me long for another baby... but no room at the Inn, so to speak... and having trouble giving enough attention to everyone as it is.

[amazing greys]

Thank you Jim :tighthug: I appreciate your kind words and encouragment :thumbup:


I'm a sponge when it comes to birds, and expecially when you have the drive to learn all you can, that only makes it easier.


Ya ever watch the movie 'Phenomenon' with John Travolta (1996) where Doc was explaining to one of the guys in the bar that had troubles with his woman, he said 'you every buy her chairs?' 'every woman needs something to put herself into' meaning George knew what made Lace tick and how to win her over buy supporting what she loved to do (making her chairs). That's me with birds (besides my kids) and hubby knows it. He knows I'm not complete with out my birds and putting myself into something as being involved, education or sharing about them. :wub:

[parrotgirl]

Thanks guys. I should've said the pics were for all you Grey lovers, Barb, Peta, Leah, Shirley, Suzy and anyone I may have missed.

Yes Barb we need pics of that baby when the time comes. I have a special request. I want pics of you feeding that monster... I mean baby. I'll give you a little hint why. Those Caws are some aggressive feeders. Did I mention loud too when they're hungry. Video would be prefect, we could see and hear the bird but mostly I want to hear you going -- O, O, O my, there's formula everywhere and all over my baby.:rofl: :agree: :rofl:


I love that idea, yep Barb we want loads of pics, especially the messy bits LOL Video will be even better, seeing that formula go flying everywhere.:rofl:

Barb I think you are gonna do just fine for your baby/ies and I love your way of thinking get a grey and he'll be weaned before the B&G hehehehe.

[harleybaby]

With Dixie I used a tupperware container lined with paper towels and then 2 towels rolled up and lined around the inside of the box so she would have something to snuggle up against and keep her warm also. Also shredded a layer of newspaper on top of the paper towels. Then on the top I placed a towel over about 3/4 of the top and used clips to hold it on the container so I didn't have to worry about it falling. I can honestly say that even without the heating pad the conatiner stayed pretty warm. We bought a little digital thermometer from Petsmart usually used for reptiles and monitored the temperature inside. Then every time we fed her we changed out the papers inside.

Have you seen a 4 week old macaw? They are huge!!! It's amazing really.

Barb, you're going to do great!!!!! :agree:

[harleybaby]

Oh and Jim that picture is adorable!!!! I love the macaw hug, how seet!!!!!!!!!:heart: