Help hand feeding

[pigeonkid1046]

I just got the package from Foys with the baby bird formula and the suringes. I have been trying to feed them for the past 1/2 hour and they are fighting me the whole way. I have this formula all over me. I am getting very frusterated and had to walk away for a little bit. Please tell me how to do it right. I will be on for the next 1/2 hour taking suggestions. Thanks!!

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Tim,

Do you know how to syringe feed a pigeon? They will fight, especially if they aren't used to you or this method. Can you tell me how you're going about it and the length of tube etc.

You might do better trying the "Balloon" or "nipple" method of feeding.

[pigeonkid1046]

I bought the one medium suringe, the end is about [this long] and I got the curved tip which is about [this long]. This is all new to them. They were being hand fed with a tub, and put up a fight, but they are making an absolute mess.

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Tim,

Are these crop needles?...made of stainless steel? These are a little bit more trickier to use than a plastic feeding tube. I would suggest that you try either the balloon or nipple method of feeding. Either way will be easier for you and more palatable for the birds.

Check out this thread: http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/showthread.php?t=9682

[Vasp]

Yeah, my advice to you is to NEVER force feed any birds unless necessary (for instance, if they're ill and can't swallow food or are too adult to respond to the feeling of something around their beaks), because it's safer and easier on both you and the bird if you let them feed themselves naturally. I have had great success with both the nipple and balloon syringe method, HOWEVER, I prefer to use the balloon syringe method on squeakers (older, feathering babies that are very active and enthusiastic). The nipple is safer than the balloon syringe for younger, or ill babies that aren't as coordinated, however. May I ask how you got these babies and under what circumstances?

[pigeonkid1046]

I have them in a big plastic square tub about 3 feet wide and long, 1/4 full of cedar chips and a little box that they can go into at night with towels for comfort. They drink on their own, so I have a dish in there so they can drink, can't wait for them to eat on their own. They are doing great. They gained a lot of weight since I put them on raw peanuts. They were sevearly under weight. Hope that answers your question. Oh, and it is a plastic suringe.

[pigeonkid1046]

Brad,
I read the forum. If I cut the tip off of the suringe, the hole would be no bigger then "O". It is a great idea, and glad you brought it up. I went down and got the suringe and have it sitting infront of me. Could you possiblly eloborate on the construction/modification to the suringe please.I am willing to do it. Thanks.

[Pidgey]

http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/showthread.php?t=16235

[pigeonkid1046]

Woah, thats a big tube. I have something downstairs that I can use and it is softer. Good, that will work. Thanks a bunch pidgy!!

[Pidgey]

That tube's not that big--only about 1/8" in diameter. It's surprising that a fairly young pigeon nestling can down a kernel of soaked field corn so a squab's esophagus is a lot roomier than one might think. Those tubes that I use are cheap, easy to get, disposable if necessary and are just soft enough to do the job without the worry of perforating the esophagus. If you follow the method in the pictures, it's just too blasted quick and easy.

The only warning is that if you tube feed squabs, it's a bit harder to get them weaned when you want. They just resist it more because they've forgotten how to eat. Some are better and quicker and some are just petulant children and that's all you can say about it.

Incidentally, I added some more explanation in the thread linked above.

Pidgey

[stephie]

Hope the tube is working better... if you haven't tried the nipple method it's worth it too. I had trouble feeding Robbie at first when he was a baby but as soon as he saw the nipple he would go all crazy and stuff his face on in!
Just thought I'd point one thing out... in regard to this:

Originally Posted by pigeonkid1046

I have this formula all over me.

I'm pretty sure no matter what method you use, babies of any species are inherently messy! I know with us the after-feeding cleanup usually took as long as the feeding itself (and I only had ONE baby!)... especially once he figured out how to flick formula off his beak and onto anything within 30 feet. Sometimes my face got as messy as his! Try to have fun with it, it will get much less frustrating as you all perfect your methods!
Good luck & have fun!