Prince Toasty Buns
Jogging around the block
- Joined
- 10/29/09
- Messages
- 718
Karen,
The breeder was definitely mistaken/incorrect if you were told that this baby should only be on 2 feedings per day. Best to always get advice in writing.
Feedings are not to be based upon how often the bird wants to eat but rather on when the crop is empty or nearly empty. Filling the crop to the proper level is important and proper crop stretching is also important (for optimum chick development & safety), as are food temps and consistency, etc. etc. etc. ... Once again I suggest you get (asap) the book I mentioned which will explain all this in detail. You did not comment on whether you plan on doing so or not? You can probably have it shipped to you via overnight mail.
IME, your baby should be getting fed 4 times minimum per day (at current stage in its development).
Here is a partial excerpt from the book I mentioned: "When a crop is properly filled, it will feel taut to the touch. The same amt. of formula should be fed for the following few feedings. At this point, the same quantity of food will not fill the crop completely. Once again the crop can be stretched to hold a bit more........". The book explains how to properly stretch a crop, food temps, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. ............ so please do right by this bird and any future baby birds by purchasing it. Same advice for anyone who handfeeds. One may think he or she knows all there is to know about handfeeding etc. but I don't think any of us truly does 100%.
Once this book is read completely and written notes taken to have by one's side when handfeeding, then and only then (IMO) can one honestly feel they have "expert advice" at their fingertips. Of course this is not the only book to have, other books will prove valuable tools also - along with the well intention advice of experienced board members here or on any other board.
Here is another excerpt from the book: "The normal internal body temp. of a bird is between 101 & 103 degrees F. Formula fed at these temps. would be considered normal to the chick & is readily accepted ........" "Through experimentation with different temps. it was also discovered how high the limits were before the food caused damage to the bird's crop".
"The maximum safety zone for feeding formula was established at 105 to 110 degrees F. ... Anytime formula is fed at 100 degrees or below the chicks tend to refuse it. If it is fed higher than 110 there is a possibility that some spots in the crop wall will be burned or damaged. Each chick has a preferred temp. at which it will feed best. Once that temp. zone is discovered it will be to the feeder's benefit to be consistent & always heat formula to this level".
Ok y'all, so does the above info. wet the appetitie of any responsible breeder/handfeeder to now order this book? Isn't it best to have every detail of proper handfeeding spelled out for us, in writing, in a handy book or notes by our side when trying to do the best we can for these marvelous little creatures who are depending on us for their very survival & proper development?
Another excerpt: "Very young babies should be fed at the lower end of the range and the older, more finicky, birds at the higher end. Remember that if several birds are being fed at the same time, the temp. of the formula will fall while you are feeding. If the chicks seem to lose interest in feeding, recheck the temperature. If it has become cool to the touch or just barely warm enough, this could cause the problem. The food should be heated to the proper temp. before feeding is attempted again".
To answer your last question: IME, once the crop is properly filled and undulating, the babies will be satisfied and not beg for more formula - that is normally, if there is no underlying problem.
The breeder was definitely mistaken/incorrect if you were told that this baby should only be on 2 feedings per day. Best to always get advice in writing.
Feedings are not to be based upon how often the bird wants to eat but rather on when the crop is empty or nearly empty. Filling the crop to the proper level is important and proper crop stretching is also important (for optimum chick development & safety), as are food temps and consistency, etc. etc. etc. ... Once again I suggest you get (asap) the book I mentioned which will explain all this in detail. You did not comment on whether you plan on doing so or not? You can probably have it shipped to you via overnight mail.
IME, your baby should be getting fed 4 times minimum per day (at current stage in its development).
Here is a partial excerpt from the book I mentioned: "When a crop is properly filled, it will feel taut to the touch. The same amt. of formula should be fed for the following few feedings. At this point, the same quantity of food will not fill the crop completely. Once again the crop can be stretched to hold a bit more........". The book explains how to properly stretch a crop, food temps, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. ............ so please do right by this bird and any future baby birds by purchasing it. Same advice for anyone who handfeeds. One may think he or she knows all there is to know about handfeeding etc. but I don't think any of us truly does 100%.
Once this book is read completely and written notes taken to have by one's side when handfeeding, then and only then (IMO) can one honestly feel they have "expert advice" at their fingertips. Of course this is not the only book to have, other books will prove valuable tools also - along with the well intention advice of experienced board members here or on any other board.
Here is another excerpt from the book: "The normal internal body temp. of a bird is between 101 & 103 degrees F. Formula fed at these temps. would be considered normal to the chick & is readily accepted ........" "Through experimentation with different temps. it was also discovered how high the limits were before the food caused damage to the bird's crop".
"The maximum safety zone for feeding formula was established at 105 to 110 degrees F. ... Anytime formula is fed at 100 degrees or below the chicks tend to refuse it. If it is fed higher than 110 there is a possibility that some spots in the crop wall will be burned or damaged. Each chick has a preferred temp. at which it will feed best. Once that temp. zone is discovered it will be to the feeder's benefit to be consistent & always heat formula to this level".
Ok y'all, so does the above info. wet the appetitie of any responsible breeder/handfeeder to now order this book? Isn't it best to have every detail of proper handfeeding spelled out for us, in writing, in a handy book or notes by our side when trying to do the best we can for these marvelous little creatures who are depending on us for their very survival & proper development?
Another excerpt: "Very young babies should be fed at the lower end of the range and the older, more finicky, birds at the higher end. Remember that if several birds are being fed at the same time, the temp. of the formula will fall while you are feeding. If the chicks seem to lose interest in feeding, recheck the temperature. If it has become cool to the touch or just barely warm enough, this could cause the problem. The food should be heated to the proper temp. before feeding is attempted again".
To answer your last question: IME, once the crop is properly filled and undulating, the babies will be satisfied and not beg for more formula - that is normally, if there is no underlying problem.
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103-104 was the max for my bird via the breeder, she said too hot you can burn their crop. So get a GOOD digital baby thermometer.
