[Arianalaz]

I have a 17 day old cockatiel, being told by somebody in my family that they know how to hand feed baby birds I thought it was okay to have one this young but it turns out they have no idea what their doing and I’m so angry and afraid and I have no idea what to do, I tried to ask a breeder to take it in but they said they can’t due to the risk of mine having a disease since they have other birds. I’ve been handfeeding it every 5 hours and I have put it in a basket with paper towel and some aspen shavings and I put a heating pad under the basket to keep it warm, I make sure the formula is warm before feeding it and with a 10 ml syringe. I’m afraid that I’m doing something wrong or I’m not feeding it properly or it’s not warm enough I just have so many things in my head that I think can go wrong and I’m sooo scared it’s gonna die, I’ve had a cockatiel before but have never that young!! What should I do???

 

[Robert Seale]

From what you describe in your post, I'd say your doing the RIGHT things for your situation! My first question is: WHERE are the parents to this baby chick? The ideal scenario would be to let them feed the baby for about the first three weeks then YOU take over hand feeding just as your doing. Babies at this age should be fed three times a day. Morning , noon, and in the evenings. I would also suggest you read up on proper ways to feed a young baby. Search this forum or Google it if you can't find what your looking for. Keep us posted on your progress.

Robert

 

[Arianalaz]

I have a 17 day old cockatiel, being told by somebody in my family that they know how to hand feed baby birds I thought it was okay to have one this young but it turns out they have no idea what their doing and I’m so angry and afraid and I have no idea what to do, I tried to ask a breeder to take it in but they said they can’t due to the risk of mine having a disease since they have other birds. I’ve been handfeeding it every 5 hours and I have put it in a basket with paper towel and some aspen shavings and I put a heating pad under the basket to keep it warm, I make sure the formula is warm before feeding it and with a 10 ml syringe. I’m afraid that I’m doing something wrong or I’m not feeding it properly or it’s not warm enough I just have so many things in my head that I think can go wrong and I’m sooo scared it’s gonna die, I’ve had a cockatiel before but have never that young!! What should I do???

From what you describe in your post, I'd say your doing the RIGHT things for your situation! My first question is: WHERE are the parents to this baby chick? The ideal scenario would be to let them feed the baby for about the first three weeks then YOU take over hand feeding just as your doing. Babies at this age should be fed three times a day. Morning , noon, and in the evenings. I would also suggest you read up on proper ways to feed a young baby. Search this forum or Google it if you can't find what your looking for. Keep us posted on your progress.

Robert

I bought it from a breeder so the parents are probably with them, and that’s a relief it helps to know I’m doing something right! I have no choice but to either raise the baby myself or to find a breeder to take the baby but it’s hard to find one where I’m from.. I’ve been doing a lot of research and watching videos on how to raise them but I don’t really trust myself to properly take care of the bird although I’m really trying! Thank you so much for your advice!

 

[Robert Seale]

Well FIRST of all, this response should make your day! My hat is off to you for doing the BEST you can with the situation you've been given. That's a **** sight better than some on this forum that will take in a poor bird and simply GIVE UP because the bird doesn't act they way THEY think it should! There are plenty of good people on this forum that will offer advice to those that don't know. But when somebody gets there panties in a wad because there too ignorant to ask the PROPER questions and seek advice, I have no time for them and feel sorry for the bird(s)!

 

[Arianalaz]

Well FIRST of all, this response should make your day! My hat is off to you for doing the BEST you can with the situation you've been given. That's a **** sight better than some on this forum that will take in a poor bird and simply GIVE UP because the bird doesn't act they way THEY think it should! There are plenty of good people on this forum that will offer advice to those that don't know. But when somebody gets there panties in a wad because there too ignorant to ask the PROPER questions and seek advice, I have no time for them and feel sorry for the bird(s)!

Well FIRST of all, this response should make your day! My hat is off to you for doing the BEST you can with the situation you've been given. That's a **** sight better than some on this forum that will take in a poor bird and simply GIVE UP because the bird doesn't act they way THEY think it should! There are plenty of good people on this forum that will offer advice to those that don't know. But when somebody gets there panties in a wad because there too ignorant to ask the PROPER questions and seek advice, I have no time for them and feel sorry for the bird(s)!

Update!! I found a breeder 20 minutes away from me and she was willing to take the baby until it’s weaned! Thank you so much for your replies it made me feel at ease!

 

[Robert Seale]

That is EXCELLENT news! I'm so glad you found a breeder that's willing to help. Did they offer to hand feed and tame it?

 

[Arianalaz]

That is EXCELLENT news! I'm so glad you found a breeder that's willing to help. Did they offer to hand feed and tame it?

Yea! she hand feeds and tames all of her birds and was willing to help with mine too!