You're welcome. I've never raised young puppies or kittens so I can't compare young green cheek chicks to being the same in caring for neonates other than puppies and kittens nurse and birds do not. Proper temperatures and humidity in a brooder are essential in chick health and digestion of formula as well as temperature of formula is vital to proper digestion. Lower temps can slow the crop down ( as well as a cooler brooder will chill a chick and slow down digestion). It's very easy to aspirate a young chick which more times than not results in a painful death. You never want to over fill a crop so much that it causes the crop to stretch out. You will also need to purchase a gram scale to weigh the babies first thing in the morning before being fed to monitor their weight. It's important for the crop to completely empty once a day.... usually between 12:00 pm and 6:00 am depending on the age of the chicks being fed. You'll have to monitor the food in the crop left from previous feedings to make sure they are digesting the formula well. Feeding with a half full crop (or third full, quarter full)... putting new food on top of the old food can cause bacteria to grow which can cause a sour crop... the crop can fill with gas ( candida) and appear to look like a little balloon. With diligence, monitoring with the use of devices and your inspection of the chicks ( if pulled for hand feeding) you'll learn to recognize any potential problem and make sure they are growing well and healthy. Set a feeding routine and practice great hygiene in the brooder and all utensils used in feeding. I'd rather give too much information then not enough.
Learn about crop infections in birds. VCA Animal Hospitals can provide you with expert advice to ensure the health and happiness of your pet.
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A chick’s crop must empty completely once every twenty-four hours. If it doesn’t, there is a good chance that a sour crop could be developing in the chick. If
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Curious about hand-feeding baby birds? There are several considerations to make when hand feeding. Visit vcahospitals.com for expert advice.
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"All food must be prepared fresh for every feeding."
Syringes are probably the preferred feeding tool, but some still prefer a spoon with the sides bent up and inward. Accurate feeding volumes can be recorded with the syringe. Charting daily feedings is important. The natural feeding response of a baby bird is to rapidly bob the head in an up and down motion. This action can be stimulated with gentle finger pressure at the corners of the mouth. During this head bobbing, the trachea is closed and large amounts of food can be given relatively quickly. If the bird is not displaying a strong feeding response then do not attempt to feed, as there is an increased chance of aspiration of food into the trachea and lungs, leading to death. The best time to feed is when the crop is empty. When full, the crop, which is the
sac that hangs over the front of the chest at the base of the neck, will be visibly distended.
How often and how much do I feed?
The amount and frequency of feeding depends on the age and growth rate of the bird, growth of the bird and the diet used. The frequency of feeding for young birds is greater than that of older birds. The following is a guideline. With newly hatched chicks, the yolk sac is the source of nutrients for the first 12 - 24 hours. Chicks less than one week old should be fed 6 - 10 times per day (every 2-3 hours). In the first week of life, some feeding during the night may be beneficial. Chicks who have not yet opened their eyes may take 5 - 6 feedings per day (every 3-4 hours). Once the eyes open, 3 - 5 feedings (every 5 hours) are necessary and as the feathers start to grow in, feed 2-3 times per day (every 6 hours). The crop should appear full when done. Feeding between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. is not necessary. The best indication of a healthy, growing chick is a good, strong feeding response at every feeding, with the crop emptying between feedings and regular production of droppings (feces). Monitoring and recording weight gain (at the same time each day) on a gram scale provides an accurate record of growth.
Where do I keep the baby bird?
Precise temperature and humidity is essential for optimum growth of newly hatched birds. Relative humidity greater than 50% is required initially. Hatchlings (no feathers) should be maintained at 95° - 97°F (35° - 36°C). As the chick gets older, it has a greater tolerance for temperature fluctuations. Generally, the temperature can be lowered by one degree every 2 - 3 days as the feathering progresses. Chicks with new feathers (pinfeathers) should be fine at 75° - 85°F (24° - 30°C) depending on the development of the feathers. Fully feathered and weaned chicks can be maintained at room temperature. Always monitor your bird for signs of overheating or chilling. Wings extended or drooping and panting indicate overheating. Shivering and cuddling together indicate cold. Poor growth or poor digestion (delayed crop emptying) can suggest poor health (such as infections of the digestive tract), improperly mixed hand feeding formulas, improper temperature of formula or improper environmental temperature and humidity. Good quality special brooders are available that carefully regulate air circulation, temperature and humidity. Paper towel, diapers, hand towels or other soft, disposable products can line the bottom of the brooder and provide secure, clean, dry footing for the bird. This bottom liner must be changed frequently to keep the bird clean. If the bottom texture is too smooth, the chick's legs may splay out to the side leading to permanent deformity. You must also check that there is nothing for the bird to get its wings or legs stuck on that might cause injury or deformities.