Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The babies are doing good - they are almost 3 weeks old. Mama allows me to hold them. I have noticed in the last couple days that Mama doesn't pay that much attention to them anymore. I don't know if she is feeding them as much either. I had bought some baby bird formula and after watching several videos and reading posts on how to properly feed them - I fed them last night! The one took to the syringe quite quickly - the other one doesn't like the syringe as much but I managed to feed him. I fed them again today (3-4 hours apart). I have followed the rules as far as I know - sterilizing the syringe, heating the formula properly (digital thermometer) and feeding from the proper side of the beak.

Now my questions! I still have them in with their Mama and Dad - should I keep them there or move them to a brooder (which I have learned how to set up properly). When I checked them this afternoon it appeared that their crop was empty and they were very hungry - would the mom stop feeding them entirely since I am feeding them? and how often should I feed - am I feeding too often (3-4 hrs)? Thank you for any advice you can give! This is our first clutch. Babies are developing well and are quite active and curious!

Thank you!

Carmen

What you are currently doing sounds a lot like what many call co-parenting. Basically this means leaving the babies with mom (and dad) but taking them out to socialize them and supplement their feeding. Most of what I have read/heard on this method makes me think it is the best way to raise the babies (JMHO). In this instance it teaches birds to interact with their own species and see how to both fear and like humans. Not that it is a good thing to fear us LOL but it does help to have the instinctual mistrust of larger beings which could hurt them while still learning to accept them on individual basis. (Not sure if I am explaining this well).

As long as mom and dad aren't hurting the babies in any way I would leave them with their parents even if they aren't being fed enough. It will help teach them to eat real foods by seeing it being eaten by their parents when the time comes. Every 3-4 hours sounds fine just make sure their crop is not being overfilled and that it is allowed to "completely" empty at least once during the day or night to protect against sour crop. If the crop seems to be staying partially or completely full then withhold feeding because either mom and dad are doing their job or the food isn't being digested.

Thank you! Babies are doing good! I actually noticed that after 3-4 hours they still have a little in their crop so i switched to 4-5 hours - their crop is completely empty in the morning when i go to feed them and they are hungry! I set up a video camera on mama and babies and she cuddles them and cleans them and she does feed them a little - but when i go to feed them their crops are empty. So I will leave them with mama and dad because I agree that it is beneficial for them.

Sometimes when I feed them it gets a little messy - at what point can you give them a little "bath" or rinse - is it dangerous for the formula to be on their bodies (bacteria).

Thanks again for your advice! It made me feel reassured!

It works well to keep a damp warm rag handy when handfeeding, then gently dab off the formula before it gets a chance to set on there too much. The mother may actually help clean some of this off and as long as it is done relatively quickly it shouldn't be too much of a problem, otherwise yes bacteria can definitely form (quicker in formula than in most any other foods) so it does need to be cleaned.