HAND-FEEDING BIRDS FROM CONURE TO MACAW
By:
Helga Wilson
Just a small, additional explanation on hand feeding:
Make sure that you put the syringe (pipette) into the beak on the
baby's left side - your RIGHT side - aim it toward the back of the
throat, across the tongue at a slight angle to the left (your left).
You will want to feed the formula slowly and watch the baby
carefully as he will stop (pause) drinking the formula to take a
breath. If you keep feeding the formula when he is trying to take a
breath he will inhale the formula and this can kill your baby.
Birds have 3 holes in their mouths - one in the roof of their mouth,
one in the middle of their tongue and one in the back of the throat
on the left hand side (as you look at them). The holes in the roof
of the mouth and the tongue are for breathing - the one into the
roof of the mouth goes into the upper respiratory tract (snares,
upper sinuses). The hole in the tongue goes into the lower
respiratory tract - lungs. Normally, while eating, these holes are
closed. The hole in the rear left hand (the bird's right) side is
the esophagus and leads to the crop and intestinal system. Make sure
you have a firm grip on your babies. Healthy hungry babies some
times will have strong feeding responses (they pump some times very
strongly) A firm grip will prevent injuries.
Understanding your bird's anatomy and how it works may help you in
hand feeding. Remember to go slow and watch your baby - he'll tell
you what he needs (air or more food).
