Crop Burn

[The Outlaw]

I just wanted to state something for the record. After the harrowing incident a few days ago with the baby keet, I thought I should clarify something. The "friend" had apparently placed a "bra" as she called it on the bird's neck and crop. Well, unless I just don't understand the directive, seems to me that is ONLY used when a crop becomes over stretched (another problem when inexperienced folks try to handfeed). To try to repair a crop burn with a support is just plain nuts.

THE OUTLAW

[Lynjupiter]

Yes I noticed that to. The bra only makes the situation worse. Sure it may keep the food in but then the food leaks between the crop and the skin. Once that happens it is very hard to save the baby. Very very sad.

Lynda

[Winged_Victory]

Nancy,

When some one new starts to handfeed without instruction, they don't have the right tools to do the job, like a good thermometer, and if they have one they don't know how to use it. Most people will heat formula up in the microwave and not stir the formula to get the hot spots out of it, because if you don't and you put the themometer in a cooler spot it does not give a true reading. People need to check the temp with the thermometer and also put some on their skin or in their mouths. If it is to hot for you, it is to hot for the bird! We find it better to be a little on the hot side and let it cool to the temperature we want, but you have to check it sevral time for the correct temperature. Handfeeding is not hard but you should be shown how to do it by someone who has the experience.

Gary

[The Outlaw]

Yes Gary. I'm fully aware of that. And that's exactly why I NEVER microwave formula even for human babies. Again, when inexperienced folks try to do these things without proper precautions and instructions, an accident is just waiting to happen.

THE OUTLAW

[Joel]

I too NEVER microwave bird formula.

[sweetie&meli]

That is so sad i always make sure that the baby food is at 102 f for the babies except macaws which we feed at 105 f but i usally stir the food everytime never microave i use hot water more accurte i say and less dengerous..ppl should read before tring to mae something live :)

[Lynjupiter]

Maybe we need a sticky on the basic rules of handfeeding.
Just as a guide for those determined to attempt it. Stating the lowest to highest temps food can be fed, Signs of a crop burn, yeast infection and what to look for if you have aspirated your baby. How to disinfect handfeeding tools. Just things that might save a life. It's an idea. I could write it but I think that there are other here with more experince. ( nudging Joel, Nancy and John) :D


Lynda

[The Outlaw]

Lynda:

I think that's the quickest way to get sued I can think of. No matter how carefully you lay out the insructions, it will get misinterpreted or only halfway figured out. That's why I DON'T offer public instructions. Anyone that decides to do this without careful, firsthand instruction and I mean hands on instruction with an experienced handfeeder at your side to make sure you understand the nuances is simply rolling the dice.

The biggest problem of all comes from lack of sleep, failure to do things by the book, not being careful to clean syringes properly, not storing formula correctly, etc.

That's one area I won't post instructions for. My handfeeding experience is limited in the first place and its for macaws, not canarys, zons, greys, lories, etc.

THE OUTLAW

[Joel]

I crop feed and most people don't like one explaining to others how to do that without them getting hands-on professional lessons first. I basically agree so maybe I should bow out on explaining my way.

However I will say this for now: If anyone keeps a male and female bird together in the same cage or allows mating when they are out of their cages playing around, then each of you should take the responsibility (IMO) to set up a proper nest/nestbox, incubator, brooder, learn how to patch cracked/broken eggs, how to assist a hatch by safely removing a baby from an egg, how to handfeed/and crop-feed, how to evacuate/empty a crop, make contacts for help if needed before the eggs hatch, buy all the handfeeding supplies needed, set up a birdie medicine chest and learn how to dose/administer the basic prescription meds, learn how to give SUB-Q & IM injections when needed unless you are willing and able to pay big vet bills and make sure you are willing and able to devote the time to do the handfeeding which sometimes may require one to get up in the middle of the night sometimes every couple of hours etc.........You may have to take the brooder & many of the supplies to work (or have a second setup already there so you only have to transport the baby bird(s) ) if ya don't have someone qualified at home to feed while you are at the job.........

Maybe we should have two or more sections relating to handfeeding. One from day one or close to day one and one from the time people usually pull the babies for handfeeding etc......

I also would tell anyone wanting to breed/handfeed to FIRST purchase a book called Handfeeding & Nursery Management from www.avianpublications.com ASAP & read it from cover to cover and make written notes while reading same. If ya won't or cannot afford to spend the $45 to purchase that book then I say you have NO BUSINESS getting into breeding or handfeeding. One should know all the things that can go wrong with a baby once it comes out of the egg or if it is born with a birth defect etc......in addition to all the other great info. in there.

Also may be easier to get the rules of handfeeding etc. across to people by posting in the sticky thread the links to sites that have already set up great handfeeding tips/pics and what to do when complications arise etc...... such as you see at www.justcockatiels.com

If anyone wants to make this post or parts of this post part of the "sticky" thread on handfeeding, feel free to do so.


Nancy's post wasn't up when I started mine so I came back to edit this statement on to my post: I agree with all she just said too. Touchy subject sometimes to try & help people on the internet partly because we don't mean to encourage breeding/handfeeding but then again we want to help the babies by trying to assist & offer tips/suggestions/advice/knowledge etc. to help get them to the stage of eating on their own.

[Winged_Victory]

Joel,

There is more to raising bably birds than just hand feeding. Anyone that gets into breeding need to have all the proper equipment to do it right. We have incubators and all the supplies to handle almost any situation tht comes up in our home but most people don't. It would be hard to tell one how to handfeed and the next thing we are going to have to explain is how to keep them in a makeshift incubator because most won't have a clue what you are talking about.

I think handfeeding and raising young birds should be left to those who do it professionaly unless there is an emergency and the people here are trying to save a bird that has been purchased not fully weaned. It is very hard to explain anything to new people without pictures, etc.

Just my thoughts

gary