Handfeeding

by **GWmacaw** » Fri May 20, 2011 10:29 am

I found an injured baby bird outside. I´m guessing that it is a swallow, probably around 2-3 weeks old. I’ve taken care of its injury and I have started handfeeding. I’m giving it around 2ml of formula every 2 hours. I have tried handfeeding before but not a bird that I own so I don´t know what to do during the nights. Should I continue to feed it on a 2 hour basis or should I do something else?

by **pchela** » Fri May 20, 2011 2:22 pm

When I hand fed babies tiny babies the longest I would go was 5 or 6 hours overnight. When they get a bit older, they can go 8 without problems and then every 3 or 4 during the day. I'm not sure with a baby swallow. Is the crop completely empty after 2 hours? If so, I'd probably do at least every 3 hours overnight until the crop starts to empty more slowly.

by **GWmacaw** » Fri May 20, 2011 2:36 pm

I‘ve started feeding every hour as the crop empties quickly. I´ll probably do every 2 hours tonight.

by **pchela** » Fri May 20, 2011 2:42 pm

Best of luck! I hope the poor little thing does well! You have experience so the best you can do is just feed when the crop empties and keep an eye on it.

by **GWmacaw** » Fri May 20, 2011 2:54 pm

Thank you. I think he's going to be alright, he's quiet active for such a small bird

by **Kim S** » Fri May 20, 2011 4:42 pm

Maybe this is a dumb question, but why are you feeding a swallow formula? His parents have probably been feeding him bugs. I think getting some mealworms or crickets from your local petstore/fishingstore would be a better idea.
Formula has been prepared with parrots in mind and is suited to their nutricional needs. They may not mach the needs of a swallow youngster.

Parrot Youtube Channel · by **Michael** » Fri May 20, 2011 4:53 pm

Given the hand feeding all works out, what do you plan to do with the bird after? Can it be successfully reintroduced to the wild or will it lack the social learning to be able to survive without a flock?

by **GWmacaw** » Sat May 21, 2011 3:18 am

Kim S wrote:Maybe this is a dumb question, but why are you feeding a swallow formula? His parents have probably been feeding him bugs. I think getting some mealworms or crickets from your local petstore/fishingstore would be a better idea.
Formula has been prepared with parrots in mind and is suited to their nutricional needs. They may not mach the needs of a swallow youngster.

When he get's older he will be fed insects, but right now he is to young to eat them. In nature the parent would kind of puke what they have eaten into the chick, that's why he's on formula. I did try to feed him a mealworm as I wasn't sure of how old he was, he didn't eat the worm. When he gets older his diet will be 1/3 insects, 1/3 seeds and 1/3 fruit and vegetables (this is quiet similar to what he would eat in the wild)

Michael wrote:Given the hand feeding all works out, what do you plan to do with the bird after? Can it be successfully reintroduced to the wild or will it lack the social learning to be able to survive without a flock?

He won't be returned to the wild, I am almost 100% sure that he woudn't survive. I did look for a nest where I found him and I didn't find anything. If I would have found his nest than I would have just taken care of his injury and then returned him to the nest and keept an eye on him. When I am done handfeeding and when he's ready to leave, he'll probably go to a friend who has experience with birds.

by **pchela** » Sat May 21, 2011 12:21 pm

It's also possible (though slim chance now) that the mother will look for him if you take him outside near where you found him and let him cry/chirp. This may give you a clue as to where the nest is if she hears him an shows up... you may be able to see where she goes. I know the mother will search for chicks that have fallen but I don't know if they are still looking after a few days.