Water while weaning

[hazelson]

I have been hand feeding my lovies for a week now and have what might be a silly question:shrug: ? When do I introduce them to drinking water, and how do I go about doing that. Thanks - TTFN Jennifer

[Shirley]

Hi and thank you for asking! The following is very direct, and NOT intended to sound bad at all. Please take this wtih the intent I mean -- 100% heartfelt lifesaving help.

Have you ever handfed babies before? I'm thinking not.
How old are they? (how many days)
What are you feeding them? (brand)
Are you weighing them with a gram scale daily before their first feeding?
Are you making sure they have an empty crop each morning before their first feeding?
Do you know what "slow crop" means?
If they have pin feathers or less, are they in an incubator? What temp?

You are mixing their formula with water, and making sure it is 100 to 104 degrees, no warmer, correct? Did you know you can burn their crops by testing the temp on your arm and not realizing it's too hot for their very sensitive crops?

OK... They do not need plain water until they are weaning, and they will wean when they are ready, and you cannot "rush this stage". First, at the age of about 5 weeks, place a piece of millet in their container or cage, and a very shallow dish of water. They will "play" with the millet by nibbling on it, ingesting none to little. They will not drink yet. You will continue 3-4 feedings per day 4-5 hrs apart, last feeding at 10 or 11:00 at night, then first feeding of the day at 7:00 in the morning, weighing first, making sure the crop is empty which assures you they have digested their meal through the night. An undigested meal is a sign of "slow crop" and could be a sign of a yeast infection or bacterial infection, or any other set of troubles which could lead to possible serious complications. Watch closely. They cannot digest a new meal on top of an old one first thing in the a.m. They cannot digest a meal if they are cold. They cannot digest cold food, nor will they accept cold food (less than 100 degrees in temp)

Do not force feed... they must be giving you a strong feeding response.

Do you know what a "feeding response" is?

Are you syringe feeding or spoon feeding?

Make new food each time... do not reuse uneaten food even 4 hrs later. Dump it and start over.

They will continue to hand feed and begin to eat millet, then sprouts and seed until they are 8-10 wks old. Do not consider them weaned until they are eating alone 100% caged alone with no peers for at least two weeks IF you plan to place them in new homes. Many times, babies will eat when they are with a flock, but once removed, they REGRESS and then die within a couple of days of starvation in their new homes.

Back to your original question: Feeding water is not part of the handfeeding process. They will drink on their own when they are ready. I don't even have water cups offered until they are eating millet and getting fewer than 4 handfeedings a day. This is usually around 5 to 5-1/2 weeks of age.

Weigh the birds... watch them daily... you will KNOW when they are in trouble. baby birds are not weak. They are bright-eyed and active or sleeping.

I have a whole series of baby Bourke's photos posted here that you can find and view that might be somewhat helpful.

I think it's in the Squawk n Talk forum. Their mother is Kilroy... so find the Kilroy post...

Please reply so we know some answers to what I've asked... please.

Thanks!
Shirley :)

[hazelson]

Hi thanks for your concern but I am doing great with the hand-feeding. The president of our local bird club has given me lots of instructions, advice and hands-on learning. I just don't want to bother her with too many questions - she has been so kind to me already. The babies are faring very well and are actually starting to get their own personalities. One is very affectionate, one is so curious about everything and the other is definately going to be a little clown - like it's father. They are three weeks old now so I will start introducing their new things gradually in the next couple of weeks. Talk to you soon Jennifer

[Shirley]

That's terrific!

I'm sure your president would MUCH rather you ask a ton of questions than to be polite and ask too few.

I would rather be woke up from a dead sleep and asked a question that MIGHT save a bird than to have someone be too shy or polite and end up in potential trouble. I might not have the answer, but I might know someone who will, or I might know a vet is the next step. Or I might not know at all... just better to ask than not ask if you are concerned. It's how we all learn. :goodjob:

[babyika]

Hello,

Well thanks for all that information because I asked the same question and someone pointed me in this post direction.

Thanks Shirley answered my questions and even ones that I didn't ask.

I am feeding Lovebirds too hazelson so I was glad you asked.

:beerchug: