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Hand Feeding Instructions (From Zupreem)

*please do not attempt to feed a bird for the first time just by reading these instructions. We reccomend you reasearch the subject in great depth.

It is important to clean your syringes before you start feeding you baby(ies). We use Pet Focus Disinfectant to clean ours. Check out our links page for link to there site. It's a really a great product to prevent bacteria growth in your syringes.

Please review the following information before feeding Embrace Hand-Feeding Formula.

Embrace: Formulated with moderate amounts of fat and protein. Suitable for most species of Old World psittacines (hookbills) and passerines (softbills), including cockatoos, cockatiels, parakeets and lovebirds during growth.

Embrace Plus: Formulated with moderate levels of protein and higher levels of fat for larger species that benefit from a more energy-dense food. Suitable for larger species of psittacines (hookbills) such as conures, certain Amazons, macaws, caiques, hawkheads, African greys, Asiatic parakeets, Poicephalus parrots and eclectus during growth.

Please review the following information before feeding Embrace Hand-Feeding Formula.

Cleanliness and Sanitation
Maintain proper levels of sanitation when handling baby birds. Due to developing immune systems, baby birds are susceptible to gram-negative bacteria, certain avian viruses and fungi.

• Wash hands thoroughly before handling baby birds
• Use only dry, clean, disinfected utensils (bowl, syringe, spoon, or tube)
• Keep all feeding surfaces clean, dry and disinfected
• Use separate utensils for each bird to help prevent potential disease spread
• Do not store or reheat mixed formula – make a fresh batch each feeding

Complete Mixing Instructions
1. Add the appropriate amount of warm water (approximately 120° F.) to proper amounts of Embrace Hand-Feeding Formula (see Proper Feeding Consistency). Mix thoroughly for uniform consistency.

2. While tap water may be used, there may be high levels of bacteria or minerals, making bottled water an attractive alternative.

3. Allow 11/2 –2 minutes for the formula to absorb the water before checking the consistency and beginning to feed.

4. Use a thermometer to check the temperature of the formula. Embrace formulas should only be fed if the temperature is between 100–110° F. If using a microwave oven, thoroughly stir the mixture and carefully check for “hot spots” that could cause crop burns.

5. As a rule of thumb, each feeding should consist of a volume equal to 8–12% of the bird’s current body weight depending on the species of the bird–approximately a milliliter of prepared formula for every 10 grams of body weight. Newly hatched chicks may require smaller amounts.

Download PDF: Embrace Mixing Instructions Chart (128kb)

Proper Feeding Consistency
Embrace formulas should be mixed to the correct consistency to ensure your bird receives the desired amounts of vital nutrients (including water) for its stage of development. Formulas that are too thin can result in slow growth, stunting, or other developmental problems. Formulas that are too thick can lead to crop stasis, dehydration or other serious health problems.

Age 1–3 Days
Newly hatched chicks may require formula that is no thicker than a “beaten egg” (approximately 1 part formula to 4 parts water). Separation of mixed product is not uncommon when preparing a thinner formula. A very thin formula aids in hydration and can benefit a younger chick that needs more water the first few days. Stir the mixture constantly during the feeding process to ensure adequate delivery of nutrients.

Age 4–14 Days
Slowly, over the course of the next 10 days, thicken the formula every other day until the chick is eating formula that is the consistency of baby applesauce (approximately 1 part formula to 3 parts water). Modify formula consistency and feeding frequency based on the bird’s weight gain.

Age 14 Days to Weaning
After 14 days, the bird should be able to digest a formula that has the consistency of thick applesauce (approximately 1 part formula to 2 parts water). If at any time during the hand-feeding process the baby bird’s digestion slows to a point of concern, return to feeding a thinner formula to increase crop emptying. Then consult your avian professional or call a ZuPreem Certified Avian Specialist at 800-345-4767.

Assess Proper Amounts to Feed
• Have an experienced avian professional demonstrate hand feeding
• Learn how to properly assess the correct amount to feed
• Feed until the bird’s crop is nicely rounded, but not bulging
• To prevent regurgitation, do not over-feed
• If the crop is not emptying properly, make sure brooding temperatures are between 98° F. for unfeathered chicks and 85° F. for partially feathered chicks. If temperatures are within this range, try increasing the amount of water in the mixed formula in an attempt to increase crop motility. If you do not notice improvement, contact your avian veterinarian.

Weigh Daily to Monitor Proper Growth Rate
Birds like other animals grow at different rates. Therefore, the hand feeder should constantly monitor the growth and development of each individual bird, and adjust based on that individual bird’s species, age, nutritional needs and husbandry requirements.

Observe Droppings
Check your bird’s droppings for color and consistency. Visit ZuPreem.com to learn more about how to monitor your bird’s health through droppings.

Neonatal Stage
Weigh your bird with an empty crop at the same time every day. Healthy baby birds should gain weight daily, and at no time during its neonatal stage (naked or down covered) should a baby bird lose weight. Weight loss may be an indication that the formula is not thick enough, or you need to increase the feeding frequency. It may also indicate an underlying health problem not related to nutrition.

Weaning Stage
A bird should not lose more than approximately 16% of its highest recorded weight during the weaning period. If weight loss is more than 16%, increase the frequency of hand feeding to stabilize the weight before attempting to wean the bird again. Contact your avian veterinarian if you are concerned about your bird’s weight gain or loss.

Feeding Schedule
Monitor proper amounts and digestion rates by adhering to a strict feeding schedule, depending on the species and the age of the bird.

Newly hatched baby birds that are fed a proper formula consistency will empty their crops in 1–2 hours. Baby birds of this age should be fed every 2 hours to maintain hydration and normal growth. Some breeders do not feed at night between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. If weight gains are not adequate, additional night feedings may be required.

As a young bird matures, its crop grows and feeding frequency will decrease from every 2 hours to every 6–8 hours per day by the time the bird is 4–6 weeks of age. Some larger parrots may require only 2 feedings a day as they grow closer to their weaning stage. Feed and weigh your bird on a regular schedule each day for less stress at weaning time.

Weaning Your Baby Bird
Different species of birds will wean at different ages. Generally, the larger the species the longer it will be hand fed. Most cockatoos will begin to wean between 7–15 weeks of age. Macaws may take 9–16 weeks and smaller species at 5–9 weeks, some even younger.

When baby birds are almost completely feathered, except for the length of the tail and some feathers on the crop, they generally begin exploration and can experiment with a weaning diet, such as ZuPreem AvianWeaning™ Diet. Because weaning can be challenging, make sure the bird is eating sufficient quantities of the weaning diet on its own and maintaining its weight before eliminating the Embrace Hand-Feeding Formula. Continue to weigh the bird daily, monitoring for no more than 16% weight loss.