How to Hand-Feed a New Cockatiel That I Just Bought
Taking proper care of your new cockatiel can help ensure that your bird lives a happy and long life; a well-cared-for cockatiel can have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. Hand-feeding can help your pet cockatiel become more social and tame, but can be a time-consuming and tedious process. If you're a novice, it's advisable to learn this from an experienced breeder or your veterinarian, but with a bit of patience and commitment, you can learn to hand-feed your new pet on your own.
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Things You'll Need
- Hand-feeding formula
- Small cardboard box or glass fish tank
- Paper towels
- Pine shavings
- Syringe or plastic pipettes
- Thermometer
Instructions
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Purchase a hand-feeding formula, such as the "Pretty Bird" formula, recommended by the American Cockatiel Society, which will not separate, is easy to mix and is sold in most pet stores.
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2
Prepare your brooder, a small container used to feed baby birds, such as a glass fish tank or a small cardboard box. Ensure that the brooder will be warm enough by placing an electric heating pad under the bottom of the container. Line the inside of the container with clean paper towels and cover the paper towels with a thin layer of pine shavings.
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3
Mix the formula as directed on the package. Heat to a temperature of approximately 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a thermometer to measure the temperature; overheating the food may injure your bird.
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4
Wash your hands thoroughly and place your cockatiel in the brooder.
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Use a syringe or a small plastic pipette to take in a bit of the prepared formula. Hold your cockatiel in one hand. Using your other hand, slowly and gently squeeze a bit of formula into the side of his mouth, with your feeding tool pointing toward the other side of his mouth to avoid getting food into his windpipe.
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Watch your cockatiel's crop -- the area near his throat that is used to store food -- expand as he feeds. Feed until the crop is full. Your bird will want to keep eating, but it's important not to overfeed, even if he starts crying for more food; it's best to under-feed and feed a bit more later than to overfeed.
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7
Gently clean up any remaining food on your cockatiel's skin using damp paper towels.
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Tips & Warnings
It's easiest to teach baby cockatiels to hand-feed from about two to three weeks of age.
According to the American Cockatiel Society, you will need to feed your baby cockatiel several times daily on a set schedule, depending on the age of your bird. Consult your veterinarian to determine the frequency and interval of feedings.
References
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