newbie with a question!

[sweetpea07]

Hello! I'm glad to have finally found a place that I can hopefully get an answer to this question that I am not having much luck with online! I have parented many cockatiels in the past, hand feeding is nothing new to me, however I have never hand fed a bird that I didn't hatch myself... which leads me to my question, I am purchasing a baby cockatiel from another breeder and will be finishing the hand feeding and weaning process myself, but I am wondering if it will be okay to switch formulas or if I should try to match the same formula as the current breeder? Our family is very excited to welcome our new little bundle and we are trying to get everything ready but this question came to me as I was purchasing everything we needed! Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[marie83]

Welcome to the forum

Please don't take the bird home before it is fully weaned even if you are experienced at handfeeding because the babies need to be with its clutch mates to develop its social skills properly, apart from that it's actually illegal to sell unweaned babies in many countries. TBH in my opinion babies shouldn't be taken away from their parents for hand rearing anyway but that's a different issue, definitely don't buy from a breeder that lets their babies go before they are ready

[Pajarita]

I agree 100% with Marie. A breeder that sells unweaned babies is NOT a reliable source. Period. She is 100% right that babies need clutchmates to develop adequate social skills as well as an identity (and now, it appears that they don't develop physically as well as they should also) but, aside from that, hand-feeding is no longer recommended. We have learned that co-parenting is the way to go for a healthier bird, both physically and emotionally and works just as well for imprinting on humans. Please reconsider. I realize that you might think that what worked for you in the past will work now but we have learned A LOT about parrots in the last few years -we were just guessing before and it did not work well most of the time.

[sweetpea07]

I appreciate the info, unfortunately it's more of an emergency situation. The man is getting rid of all his birds, not just the babies ( I would be happy to discuss this privately if you want to know the whole situation). There is only 2 of the babies left and I just need to know if I can use a formula I personally trust or if I should continue to use what the breeder has already introduced. thanks again!

[Pajarita]

I would use the same formula and slowly switch it to a homemade one (I don't believe in feeding soy to animals). Why don't you get the babies and the parents, as well? That would be real kind to them...

[sweetpea07]

thank you for your reply, I love the idea of homemade formula! I wish I could take all of them but I live in an apartment and my landlord will not allow me to have more than 2 small birds im doing what I can to help.. all I can do is wish for the best now. would you mind sharing your recipe for the formula?! again thanks for the advice

[Pajarita]

It's actually quite simple: different whole grains flours (could be whole wheat, oat, brown rice, cornmeal, etc) with fruit and/or veggie puree (always trying for the most important vitamins so use things like sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli, strawberries, etc -use organic baby food) and hardboiled egg. Just puree puree everything in a blender or a food processor and simply add enough juice to make it liquidy enough so it would go through the syringe. If you want to add a little extra oomph in terms of vitamins and protein (but be careful because, with birds, less is more) you can add a touch of pollen with royal jelly and propolis.