Hand Feeding a lovebird

[Parakeet lover]

Hi,
My friend is having to hand feed a lovebird, he knows to feed it every 3 to 4 hours. Do you feed the baby lovebird at night?

 

[Matto]

How many weeks old is it? Generally if it's more than a week old, then no, you do not feed it at night.

 

[Parakeet lover]

The Lovebird is 3 days old. He is feeding it this early because the mother has not been feeding it.

 

[Matto]

So, it's a matter of debate. Some breeders will get up every 3 hours or so to feed it, others believe that in the wild parents don't feed their children overnight and thus it isn't necessary. If your friend chooses this route, the babies should be fed late at night (eg 10-11pm) and early in the morning (6-7am).

 

[Matto]

Just checked my copy of Parrots: Hand-Feeding and Nursery Management. It recommends very young chicks be fed every 3 hours, and that chicks be allowed to rest without feeding for six hours every night.

 

[Parakeet lover]

Ok, thanks so much!!