How to Hand Raise Senegal Parrots
The Senegal parrot (Poicephalus senegalus) comes from West Africa where it is often considered to be a pest for feeding on farm produce. In captivity, the bird makes a loving, talkative pet that can live to be 50 years old. The small bird's personality tends to be calm, and the parrots enjoy playing by themselves or with their owners. Hand-rearing baby Senegals creates birds that are strongly bonded to their human caretakers. Most Senegals are weaned at 12 weeks of age.
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Instructions
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Remove the baby Senegal parrot from the nest and its parents when it is 10 days old. Place it in a brooder. Every three hours, feed the baby Senegal a parrot hand-feeding formula that can be purchased at any pet store. Mix the formula according to the directions on the label. Heat water to 110 degrees Fahrenheit and pour into the formula. You should never heat the water and formula in the microwave because this can cause uneven heating.
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To feed the bird, place it on a towel in your lap facing you. Gently grasp the bird around the shoulders. Fill a 12 cc syringe that has a smooth, half-inch tip with formula, and place it in the left side of the Senegal's mouth, with the tip aimed toward the throat. The parrot's esophagus is on its left side. The bird will begin to bob up and down with its head to be fed. Slowly push the plunger into the syringe to release the food. Feed the baby Senegal in this manner until the baby parrot's crop feels and appears full. A parrot's crop is located right below its throat on the front of the chest. It works to help break down the bird's food for digestion. In baby birds it grows in noticable size with the consumption of food. The crop will be distended like a little ball and firm to the touch like a water balloon, but it should not be tight, when the baby bird is full. Watch the baby parrot closely and go at the parrot's pace when offering food. Only depress the syringe when the baby is clearly eating. Remember that the bird must have time to swallow the food that is being dispensed into its mouth. Feed the baby parrot every three hours when the bird's crop has emptied.
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Wipe the bird's beak and feathers clean using a warm, damp cloth. Place the bird back into the brooder when it is done feeding.
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Promptly dispose of all unused formula. Wash and sanitize the dishes and the syringe in preparation for the next feeding.
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Tips & Warnings
When not being fed, baby Senegals need to be kept warm in a brooder with a temperature between 85 degrees Fahrenheit and 92 degrees Fahrenheit.
Senegal parrots often regurgitate a small amount of food when being fed. Pause and wipe the food away if this should happen.
Senegal parrots are slow eaters, so never rush the baby bird when eating.
Talk to your baby Senegal parrot while you hand feed it. Remember that the parrot craves your company since you are the adoptive parent.
Once the baby Senegal becomes fully feathered, hand-feeding will slowly decrease as the bird can go a longer time between meals. Soon the bird will begin to eat on its own at around 12 weeks of age.
