How Often Should You Hand-Feed Baby Parrotlets?

Feeding Schedules Should Remain Fixed

Parrotlet breeder Sandee Molenda states that baby parrotlets should be fed every four hours day, beginning at 10 days of age. Molenda increases the quantity of food at these feedings over time, starting at 1 to 2 cc per feeding to a maximum of approximately 6 cc at three weeks of age.

Feedings Should Decrease Oover Time

The Little Tweet Parrotlet website states that they feed their one-week-old baby birds 1 cc six times a day and their two-week-old baby birds 2 cc five times a day, "and so forth." At four weeks of age, the baby birds are fed on demand until they turn away from the feeding syringe.

Bottom Line

Schedule recommendations for feeding baby parrotlets vary. However, sources indicate that baby birds benefit from multiple small feedings daily. Baby birds' crops should feel soft and be slightly rounded when they are full. Adjust food quantity as needed to maintain adequate weight.

References

• The Parrotlet Ranch: Breeding Parrotlets, Sandee Molenda, 2006
• Little Tweet Parrotlet Breeders: How to Hand feed Parrotlets