Hello! I have been hand feeding birds for 3 years now. Today I noticed that my chick has somehow consumed a piece of pine shaving. I don't have any exotic vets in my area and no one wants to work on him.
I can't just not do nothing. I have been considering two options: sucking it out or mixing a digestive enzyme in his formula. I was wondering what would be the best course of action here.
I feel that the second option is safer since he is still able to digest his formula. What should I even buy?? I'm in the USA. I read this from a medical journal but it didn't even give one option. It has to have cellulase to break down the cellulose in the pine shaving. Is the one I screenshotted safe? It’s one day delivery so it should be here today.
I've ordered a syringe (gavage) as well as rubber ones (not pictured).
Would it be possible to suck it out? My plan is to feed warm pedialtye and hopefully get it stuck on the tip of the tube, I wouldn't suck with no liquid in the crop to prevent issues, or should I???
I would also like to add that the little piece in there seems to not be large enough to pass, but is soft that I can fold it in half as it is in the crop and it slowly works itself back to flat.
As for the formula, I feed at 106-107°F every time. I have him in a tub with a temperature regulated heat mat 90°F and a heat lamp from above to maintain a steady temperature of 93°F. He does not have feathers yet (3-4 weeks old). If I make the formula at the normal consistency it won't drain as quick as it should, I have to make the formula more watery and his crop drains by the fourth hour.
I’m more than well aware that hand raising is looked down upon and such, but I’m not here to discuss that. I see it brought up in almost every thread that mentions an unweaned bird. I’m just looking for potential solutions.
Thank you
I can't just not do nothing. I have been considering two options: sucking it out or mixing a digestive enzyme in his formula. I was wondering what would be the best course of action here.
I feel that the second option is safer since he is still able to digest his formula. What should I even buy?? I'm in the USA. I read this from a medical journal but it didn't even give one option. It has to have cellulase to break down the cellulose in the pine shaving. Is the one I screenshotted safe? It’s one day delivery so it should be here today.
I've ordered a syringe (gavage) as well as rubber ones (not pictured).
Would it be possible to suck it out? My plan is to feed warm pedialtye and hopefully get it stuck on the tip of the tube, I wouldn't suck with no liquid in the crop to prevent issues, or should I???
I would also like to add that the little piece in there seems to not be large enough to pass, but is soft that I can fold it in half as it is in the crop and it slowly works itself back to flat.
As for the formula, I feed at 106-107°F every time. I have him in a tub with a temperature regulated heat mat 90°F and a heat lamp from above to maintain a steady temperature of 93°F. He does not have feathers yet (3-4 weeks old). If I make the formula at the normal consistency it won't drain as quick as it should, I have to make the formula more watery and his crop drains by the fourth hour.
I’m more than well aware that hand raising is looked down upon and such, but I’m not here to discuss that. I see it brought up in almost every thread that mentions an unweaned bird. I’m just looking for potential solutions.
Thank you
I wish this was more common knowledge.
