How to Spoon Feed Baby Parrots
Spoon feeding is gaining in popularity among parrot breeders, primarily because it more closely resembles how baby birds are fed by their parents. If done carefully, spoon feeding also carries a lower risk of aspiration than feeding with a syringe. There are some disadvantages to spoon feeding, however. This method is often messier, takes more time and makes it more difficult to measure the bird's intake of formula.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Disposable plastic spoons
- Cooking pot
- Tongs
- Handfeeding formula
- Small glass bowl
- Accurate instant-read thermometer
- Large glass or metal bowl
- Soft cloth
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1
Fill a pot with water and heat to boiling. While the water is boiling, submerge the end of a disposable spoon while holding it by the handle. Use the tongs to squeeze the sides of the spoon to create a U-shape. Remove the spoon from the water and allow to cool. Repeat for each handfeeding spoon you wish to make.
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2
Weigh the baby parrot immediately before spoon feeding. Take note of the weight--this will be used to calculate the amount that the baby ate after you've fed her.
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3
Mix the handfeeding formula in the small bowl, according to the package directions. Use hot tap water and make sure the formula is between 105 and 110 degrees F before feeding. If you use a microwave to heat the formula, stir thoroughly and re-check the temperature before using to avoid crop burns.
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4
Fill the large bowl with hot tap water, and float the smaller bowl in the water. This will help maintain the formula's temperature while you are feeding the baby parrots. Since spoon feeding takes significantly longer than syringe feeding, it is especially important to make sure that the formula remains warm throughout the feeding session.
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5
Scoop up a small amount of formula with the spoon, and place the tip of the spoon in the baby parrot's beak. Allow the formula to slowly run into the beak. Pause whenever necessary to allow the bird time to swallow.
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6
Continue to feed the baby parrot spoonfuls of formula until his crop is full, but not over-extended.
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7
Use a soft, damp cloth to clean spilled formula from the beak and head.
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8
Weigh the baby parrot once more, and subtract the pre-feeding weight from the current feeding. This number is how many grams of mixed formula the baby consumed. Record the results in your handfeeding log book or spreadsheet.
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9
Clean the spoon and other equipment with hot soapy water, then sanitize using Nolvasan or another disinfectant. Plastic spoons cannot be boiled for disinfection, as they will warp and become unusable. If you prefer, dispose of the used spoons instead, and start with new ones at each feeding.
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1
Tips & Warnings
More durable handfeeding implements can be made by bending stainless steel spoons using a strong pair of pliers. These may be boiled for disinfection.
You can estimate how many cc's of formula the parrot is eating by weighing the mixed formula. For example, if 10 cc's of formula weighs 80 g, and the chick eats 120 g of formula, then he consumed 15 cc's.
Always thoroughly stir and re-test formula that has been heated in the microwave to avoid crop burns.
Never feed formula hotter than 110 degrees F. Doing so may cause severe injury or death.
