I recently got a new baby cockatiel from a breeder. The bird is about 2 months old and has most of its feathers grown in. The breeder handed me the bird formula he used and gave instructions on how to prepare it but every time I try to feed the bird, it's always very stubborn.
I'd slowly cup my hands around its body and put my thumb under its head to hold it still. Then I'd try to insert the syringe in but it never opens its mouth and it takes a long time for me to pry it open without applying too much force. After a while, it also begins to squirm around in my hand so I'd give it a small break where it fluffs up and closes one eye.
For the past couple of times I tried, I've only managed to get around 2 milliliters of the formula down in almost an hour. It won't eat from a small dish with the formula in it either and seems more interested in birdseed. The breeder said the bird was still being weaned and it can't quite crack open the shell of the seeds except millet where the inside falls out.
Is there anything I happen to be doing wrong? I'm a bit concerned as many of the previous birds I've handfed were far more eager and ate more.
I'd slowly cup my hands around its body and put my thumb under its head to hold it still. Then I'd try to insert the syringe in but it never opens its mouth and it takes a long time for me to pry it open without applying too much force. After a while, it also begins to squirm around in my hand so I'd give it a small break where it fluffs up and closes one eye.
For the past couple of times I tried, I've only managed to get around 2 milliliters of the formula down in almost an hour. It won't eat from a small dish with the formula in it either and seems more interested in birdseed. The breeder said the bird was still being weaned and it can't quite crack open the shell of the seeds except millet where the inside falls out.
Is there anything I happen to be doing wrong? I'm a bit concerned as many of the previous birds I've handfed were far more eager and ate more.