How to Feed a Baby African Gray

Hand feeding a baby African gray parrot is a huge commitment in time, labor and love. The baby parrot will need to be fed every two hours around the clock. A deep bond forms between an African gray and the human who hand feeds it. The bird views the human as its parent. There is a sense of security that develops and the bird anxiously awaits your appearance. Hand feeding is a commitment in time and attention to the bird. The bird will need to spend simple time with you, and be stroked and spoken to in order to grow physically and mentally.

Things You'll Need

• 35 CC with a 1/2 inch long tip
• Parrot hand-feeding formula
• Meat thermometer
• Distilled water
• Towels

Instructions

1. Mix the hand feeding formula according to the directions on the label. The formula should be warm when fed to the baby bird. Mix the formula using distilled water and follow the directions on the hand-feeding formula. Warm the water separate from the formula and mix it into the formula. Do not heat the formula in the microwave because this can create areas of hot and cold which can easily burn a baby bird. The formula should be warm when fed to the baby bird. Use a thermometer to determine that the temperature is between 104 to 108 degrees F prior to feeding the bird.

2. Place the baby African gray onto a clean towel spread on your lap. Cup the birds back and neck gently. Fill the syringe with the hand feeding formula and offer it to the bird. Place the tip of the syringe on the left side of the birds beak. The birds esophagus is located toward the rear left of the birds throat. This is why you feed from the left side of the African grays beak so the food easily flows in the birds esophagus. The African gray will begin to gulp the food with elaborate head movements. Slowly push the plunger of the syringe to feed the bird the formula. As the bird grows and requires more food, simply refill the syringe to continue feeding.

3. Watch the crop of the African gray closely. The crop will begin to distend as the bird eats. The crop will fill to the size of a golf ball. The crop should feel firm and full but not tight and hard. Once the crop is full, cease feeding.

4. Wipe the birds face and beak using a warm wash cloth if food should drip on the birds beak or feathers. Remove all of the hand feeding formula before it dries on the birds skin, beak or tiny feathers.

Tips & Warnings

• Let the African gray feed from the syringe at its own pace. Many African grays are voracious eaters and others prefer to take their time.

• Most African grays are weaned by 10 weeks of age.

• Promptly dispose of any left over hand feeding formula. Never reheat the formula and use again because this can cause the baby bird to become ill. Bacteria can easily grow in formula.

• The birds crop should empty between feedings. African grays take approximately two hours to digest their food and empty their crop.

• Never place pressure on the parrots crop. This could damage the bird or cause it to regurgitate.

• Keep bowls and syringes clean. Wash each item after each feeding.

References

• J Birds: Hand Feeding HandBook
• Helga's Parrot Hatch: Hand Feeding Birds From Conure To Macaw
• Birds N Ways: Handfeeding Parrots: Cornerstone to a Good Pet Bird

Resources

• Birds N Ways: Breeding African Greys - Part II