HAND FEEDING

HAND-FEEDINGFORMULAS
Ideal for hand-rearing parrot chick.

Feeding Formulas

Hand-feeding formulas are ideal for hand-rearing baby parrots.
These hand-feeding formulas have been formulated to constitute 100 %
of the diet of a parrot chick during the entire growth period: from birth
to fledging.

For most species the hand-rearing process requires the use of 3 different
hand-feeding formulas. The composition of each formula is adapted to


meet the specific nutrient requirements of the chick and its digestive
capacities at the given age.
At weaning phase the hand-feeding formula should be gradually replaced
by the most suitable juvenile or adult formula for the species.
While refrigeration of the hand-feeding formulas is not advised, freezing
is possible if they are kept in hermetically sealed containers.
also has as a hand-feeding formula for recovering adult birds.

How to hand feed ?

BEFORE SELECTING A HAND-FEEDING FORMULA

It is important to properly select the hand feeding formula according to the species. The hand feeding formula selector allows you to graphically identify the species to raise

However it is also important to select the hand feeding formula according to the age of the bird. There are two groups of hand feeding formulas: those indicated for the neonatal phases and those indicated for the follow-on phase. The turning point is the moment when feathers begin to emerge. This is the time when neonatal hand feeding formulas should be replaced
by follow-on hand feeding formulas.

A correct use of the neonatal hand feeding formulas of the 1st phase
allows the bird to double the hatching weight on the third day, and
triple it on the sixth day just like it happens in nature. It is important to
remember that a bird that grows vigorously, generates heat and does not
require high temperatures.

Therefore we should reduce quickly the
brooder temperature. We also recommend that the birds are kept in
non-homogeneous temperature brooders, with a lateral heat source,
giving the bird the choice to approach or move away from the heat
source.

HOW TO PREPARE A HAND-FEEDING FORMULA

Concentration of 25 % (25 % powder formula+ 75 % water).

  • 1 Put 1 part (25 %) of hand-feeding formula in a bowl.
  • 2 Add 3 parts (75 %) of warm water (36-39 oC). Avoid using the microwave.
  • 3 Mix throroughly with a stainless steel whisk.
  • 4 The formula is ready when a shaken yogurt texture is reached.
  • The proportion in volume is not exact, it is a simplification. The first few
  • times the formula is prepared it is advisable to use the proportions in
  • weight: 25 % formula powder in weight and 75 % water in weight.

FEEDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HAND-FEEDING FORMULAS

  • Choose the hand-feeding formula according to the age and species of the
  • chick to be raised.
  • Intake for medium and large parrots ranges from 7 to 10 ml of reconstituted
  • formula per 100 g of body weight at each feeding session. For smaller
  • parrots, intake is higher, up to 16 ml per 100 g body weight. The bird’s
  • crop should be full, but not overstuffed.
  • Confirm that the crop is empty in the morning.
  • Transitions from one formula to the other should be done progressively.
  • We recommend administering the formula using a soft tube.
  • Leftover formula must be discarded after each feeding session.
  • After opening, store in an air-tight container in a cool, dry place.