silentroll
47 posts
Mar 16, 2007
12:45 PM
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I have a problem with my breeder...they are not feeding their young and i want to feed them myself. how can i do that...there about three week old...
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MCCORMICKLOFTS
1261 posts
Mar 16, 2007
1:13 PM
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Three weeks of age is when they should naturally start the transititon to pecking at feed. I always throw a handful of feed into the nest boxes when I go into the loft to feed, gets the loft youngsters to learn really quick. They don't have to be able to stand to be able to eat. You can hand feed them by either individually inserting peas and seeds down their throats until full enough. To make them drink, simply dunk their beaks up to the waddle in water and the instinct will kick in and they will drink. You will see them avidly blink their eyes afterwards like...whoa...that was weird...why did I do that..lol.
The second option is to stock feeding syringes and Kaytee Exact or Rowdybush. These are hand feeding formula used for all kinds of birds, including pigeons. I have five gallon buckets of the stuff because one of my breeds is a short face breed and requireds fosters and hand feeding. You can save a lot of birds by having hand feeding stuff on hand.
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Shaun
458 posts
Mar 16, 2007
3:16 PM
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I can't think of a roller chore which has pained me as much as feeding peas to a newly-weaned youngster, sulking in the corner, refusing to eat. I read the advice and was assured that peas contained the requisite nutrients in a suitable size. It sounded so easy, popping them down the gullet, one by one... except the bird was most reluctant to open its gob. Twisting its head from side to side, it exerted a freakish strength for a creature which hadn't had a good meal in days. Truthfully, I would have found it easier wiping my arse with a perch.
Next time, I want a syringe and some squirty stuff.
Shaun
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Steve_uk
106 posts
Mar 16, 2007
4:09 PM
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Soak maple peas in hot water so they swell then just fill the crop up syringe it full of water and you can even add a pinch of grit every couple of days worked for me i raised a bird from 4 days old last year and he's turned out a great bird.
Steve
Last Edited by on Mar 16, 2007 4:11 PM
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Santandercol
874 posts
Mar 16, 2007
9:43 PM
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Steve,
Is that the guy you had in the house with the missus?
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Kelly
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Steve_uk
109 posts
Mar 17, 2007
3:29 AM
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Thats him yeh Norris he flew of last week and got lost all the birds got spooked of the loft i had to go looking for him.
I found him on a roof top down the street so i jumped out the car and shouted him he did a double take and flew down into the street to me a girl watchin out the window must of thought i was mental.
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Ally Mac
168 posts
Mar 17, 2007
5:03 AM
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I have tried the individual pea thing but it was a right pain.
What I found easiest was to boil up a mix with water, dont suppose it matters whether it yb or breeding mix, just like soup, blend it till it is fine enough to go through a siringe. I kept the "soup" in the fridge and just warmed up a siringe full at feeding time. The bird soon realises where its grub is coming from and it becomes fairly easy. Just make sure there is enough water in the soup, you can tell fairly easily by checking the crop as it is being digested. Two minute job that worked well for me.
Al.
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C.J.
963 posts
Mar 17, 2007
6:07 AM
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My daughter has done this a million and one times. Go to your local pet food store and buy parrot formula. It is what breeders use for young parrots and it works great. Then buy a syringe and mix the formulas with water. Use the syringe to feed it to them. Place the syringe in the corner of their beak and as far in as you can get it without hurting them. The longer the tip on the end of the syringe the better. You will eventually get to the point where you can empty the syringe within seconds. She has raised dozens over the years. I hope this helps. Don't hestitate to ask if you need more assistance.
C.J.
Site Moderator
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Steve_uk
110 posts
Mar 17, 2007
1:41 PM
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Feeding peas is so easy i can fill the crop in a couple of mins theres a knack to it.
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silentroll
48 posts
Mar 19, 2007
9:48 PM
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thanks guys for letting me know...it will surely help me...
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tapp
219 posts
Mar 20, 2007
7:51 AM
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Yor right Sreve, peas are easy once you have the knack. The first year I put my Squeeks in the kit box to early. Only a few would eat and drink on there own. I got were I could set on a bucket and feed a 25 bird kit of squeeks in about 15 min. With Peas and once or twice a shot of grit. I'd even put a mix down them of wheat, milow. safflour. I'd did this two three diferent kits. I'll wait a week longer from now on. got a lot of pigeon crap on my jeans every day! I did some younger one's with a syringe and liguidfide pellets I put a short plastic tube on syringe and carfuly put it part way down there throat.Ps.I never lost a bird. But had a few that bonded to well to me and never would fly with the kit just land by me. And set there. They are now fosters, You sometime's have to let them go a few days with out you feeding them to get them to eat on there own when you know there old enough. or they will get to just rely on you to feed them. Live and learn!
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Tapp
Last Edited by on Mar 20, 2007 7:58 AM
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Missouri-Flyer
379 posts
Mar 20, 2007
9:08 AM
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Hey Steve,
I like the looks of that setup in the 2nd pic. Is that your kitbox, or a holding pen? Looks simple with what appears to be 1x2 or 2x2's with the perches..Simple, and useful..
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Jerry
Home of "Whispering Wings Loft"
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