Hand raising equipment?

xx_sheena_xx · Post by **xx_sheena_xx** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:55 pm

Can any one tell me what i will need
for when i have baby IRN's so i can
hand feed them?

bec · Post by **bec** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:01 pm

the things i had were a feeding spoon a syringe
a warming bowl & a stainless steel bowl to mix the formula in
for housing at first i had skeet in a big soup pot (altho ive scince been told a 2 foot fish tank is better) with a lamp over the top lots of saw dust (to prevent splayed feet ) and a wheat bag
the foods i had were hand rearing formula & as she got older egg & bisuit mix then
i used purreed cooked apple sprouts & corn kernals
with seed i started her on canary food & slowly worked her up ro cockatiel mix
hope this list helps

xx_sheena_xx · Post by **xx_sheena_xx** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:35 pm

Thanks Bec

pinkdevil · Post by **pinkdevil** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:38 pm

Mine is similar to Becs.

I use:

bent spoon and or syringe
heat proof container for mixing and feeding the formula
heat proof bowl to sit formula container in to keep warm while feeding
measuring spoons
measuring jug
thermometer
paper towels
scales for weighing chick daily
and of course formula

Then as the chick is older
stainless steel bowl for fruit and seed for them to pick at.

I also start to give them pellets that has been softened in warm water and so far they have all taken to it well. Sometimes I had trouble getting them to eat seed as they wanted pellets but they eat both in the end.

I offer millet spray, fruit/veg, soaked seed then onto seed and pellets in the dry form.

I have a brooder that I house the chicks in with a dimmer thermostat so the temp is kept regular instead of fluctuating. I also use at least 2 thermometers just for safety incase one isn't working. The chicks are in baskets layered with paper towel scrunched up so they have a bit of roughness to grip onto.

...........

just did a search and found this thread....

bec · Post by **bec** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:38 pm

no worries i leared the hard way that it pays to be prepaired

bec · Post by **bec** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:41 pm

i read that n post while handrearing skeet it helped alot!!

xx_sheena_xx · Post by **xx_sheena_xx** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:46 pm

Just hoping i get babies this year

bec · Post by **bec** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 3:17 pm

right there with ya!!!!
riku &kirara are doing all the right things sofar and kieron & orchid seem very pleased to have their box in so heres hoping next week im gonna buy handrearing formula and prepare everything just in case
its such an exciting time isnt it?

xx_sheena_xx · Post by **xx_sheena_xx** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:04 pm

Yeah it is, i dont think our breeding season start until later though.
i had eggs around september last year but they didnt hatch

bec · Post by **bec** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 6:43 am

skeet hatched in august last year
both my breeding pairs have 3 eggs now

xx_sheena_xx · Post by **xx_sheena_xx** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 6:10 pm

iv got 3 eggs too

the first one should hatch on the 14th of september i think

julie · Post by **julie** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 6:55 pm

as well as the above mentioned it may help to look into what you will use to keep the formula at the right temp. I use a fondue maker, it is just a cheaper smaller one from Kmart but it keeps the formula just right and made it so much easier.

bec · Post by **bec** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 8:44 am

great thought julie! i was going to look into a bottle warmer but the fondue heater ill check it out this week