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Hand Feeding Day Old Chicks
 Hand feeding an Indian Ringneck is sometimes necessary when all
options are depleted. This task takes patience and commitment. Keep
in mind the baby needs to be fed around the clock every two hours
and this
means through the night too! Before you decided to take on such a
task, make sure all your options are used up. If a pair has eggs
ready to hatch around the time the chick hatched—foster it to them.
I don’t want you to think this task is impossible; however, it would
be wiser to have a female Indian Ringneck take care of the
chick for the first 10-15 days.
I find fostering more favorable than hand feeding form day one. Why?
Simply put, a human cannot replicate the care given by a female
Indian Ringneck. Along with this superior care, special nutrients
are transferred to the chick and this helps to develop its immune
system and digestive tract. With that said, if you must hand feed
from day one then begin the hand feeding process.
Hand feeding a baby Indian Ringneck from day one is a tedious task.
This job takes commitment! The newborn chick, which is small and
wiggly, can be difficult to work with.
If the chick was hatched from an incubator do not feed the chick
until 6 – 7 hours after hatching. Feeding the chick early can kill it.
If the chick is taken from its parents, which are inexperienced,
place the chick inside a brooder and feed the chick. I recommend
feeding the baby if removed from inexperienced parents immediately
because by the time the chick has been found unfed, time has passed
and it’s usually more then 6 –7 hours.
Before the baby has been removed, make sure you have a brooder warm
and ready to keep the chick warm. Do not feed the chick if it’s
cold. Warm it up first. Once the chick has been removed and warmed,
gently pick it up and feed it.
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The first feeding of the chick should be with an electrolyte
solution that is unflavored, such as Pedialyte. This electrolyte
solution should be given to the chick for three feedings; this
ensures the chick’s digestion tract is working correctly. If the
crop empties or goes down, it’s time to feed a commercial hand
feeding formula. I personally recommend Kaytee’s Exact. I have never
lost a bird using this formula and it’s probably, in opinion, the
best out there. Exact feeding formula “Contains probiotics to
encourage a healthy population on intestinal microorganisms. Also,
digestive enzymes (amylase and protease) are included to insure
adequate digestion of carbohydrates and proteins.” It’s obvious this
formula was designed for feeding hatchlings to adults. For the first
five days substitute the electrolyte solution instead of water &
Exact hand feeding formula. Always use the chart shown on the box
for mixing formula. According to Exact it’s 1 part formula, 6 parts
water for a chick that's 2 days and younger. |
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Tips for hand feeding day old chicks |
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Feed formula between 105F-108F. |
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For 1st feedings, use only an electrolyte solution. |
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Wash all feeding utensils. |
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Keep the baby warm. If it gets too cold this could stop digestion.
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Change the paper towels after every feeding. |
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If an emergency arises, call an avian vet immediately. |
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Never force the chick to eat if it does not want more. |
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Do not over fill the corp. |
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During the 1st few feedings, a couple of drops will suffice.
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Feed every two hours, or until the crop is almost empty. |
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 The first two days of feeding with the formula will be thin and
watery. As the chick grows older increase the thickness and the
feedings. It’s important to watch the crop of the chick. Make sure
the chick is making healthy droppings and is taking its food. To
give you a better example of this process click the link for an
online video by Kaytee.
http://www.kaytee.com/companion_animals/birds/hand_feeding/
Another great site for hand feeding early chicks is an article by
Linda. Linda is a lovebird enthusiast and goes into detail about
hand feeding a day old chick.
http://www.lovebirdsplus.com/day1babies.html
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