Reasons to Keep Your Psittazen Willing to Hand-Feed

[yehudasf]

BS"D

One issue I've heard & read many times from companion humans regarding their psittazens, is the difficulty in administering oral medications. Another problem; some folk have had issues surrounding the ability to feed a psittazen who is ill, without having to trek to a veterinarian to have gavage feeding performed. I have found that allowing my flock to have "treats" from a syringe on occasion guarantees that all of them will be willing to accept hand-feeding, should it be necessary or desirable.

How many of us have had a mandible full of medication flung in our faces, or all about the room when trying to give one of our recalcitrant parrot patients vital medicine? If your psittazen is eager to get baby food "treats" from a syringe, it is simplicity itself to "sandwich" the medication between layers of the food in the syringe, thereby getting all of the treatment into the little sweethearts crop with little or no fuss.

If a bird has lost weight due to injury or illness, the ability to get them a controlled formula feeding several time a day can literally make the difference between life and death.

Age seems to make no difference in a psittzens eagerness to get "babyhood goodies" again. My oldest Macaw hangs from his cage, or hoop, or whatever perch he may be on, in feather-fluffed anticipation of some treats from the syringe. In this manner, I can if I so choose, make certain that he receives beneficial bacteria without wastage, or a high protein boost if needed in the midst of a particularly heavy moult.

If you are comfortable with your skills as a hand-feeder, I would encourage you to try out a "treat" with your feathered companions. One never knows when the ability to control their intake might be of great importance.

[Franciscus]

That is very good advice Yehuda. I think it can also be done using a teaspoon curved at the sides to emulate the mandible.

[Chariclo]

On the "Bird Sitter" DVD (yes I have it)- Scott Hartman, of Hartman Aviary talks about this in a segment. He goes around gavage feeding all his adult birds periodically. I haven't watched this in awhile - but I believe that he also states that it shoud be done to foster a nurturing bond between owner and bird. They come to know that you will be there to take care of them.

My babies get warm oatmeal/soy milk spoon fed at bedtime. I think I look forward to these moments as much as them. I get to be mama bird and they go to bed with something warm in their crops. :icon_smil

[Franciscus]

Originally Posted by Chariclo

On the "Bird Sitter" DVD (yes I have it)- Scott Hartman, of Hartman Aviary talks about this in a segment. He goes around gavage feeding all his adult birds periodically. I haven't watched this in awhile - but I believe that he also states that it shoud be done to foster a nurturing bond between owner and bird. They come to know that you will be there to take care of them.

My babies get warm oatmeal/soy milk spoon fed at bedtime. I think I look forward to these moments as much as them. I get to be mama bird and they go to bed with something warm in their crops. :icon_smil

Are you shure it's gavage feeding? I understand gavage feeding as a tube being shoved down a bird's throat which doesn't sound too appealing to me.
The oatmeal at bedtime is a great way to bond and give the birds comfort food. Warm mushy stuff is similar to what birds will feed each other as a bonded pair, friends, clutchmates, and of course, parent to offspring.

[Chariclo]

Duh -Yes you are right - I type faster than my brain works sometimes - it's syringe.

[Lisa B]

I often offer treats with a syringe to keep them willing to accept it.
They will get juices, apple sauces, baby foods, and even handfeeding formula if another one is on it.
I never had any problems giving meds because of this.....

[birdyland]

I'll have to take up this habbit. I just bought like 10 jars of baby food onsale, and also bought some suppliments such as featheriffic and avicalm that I need to try with Niki the M2; her screaming has gotten so out of control with her hormones that my family keeps threatening to cook her for thanksgiving (which they would never do, they are just expressing their frustration, of course). Outlaw mentioned avicalm for a screamer in another thread, and the stuff claims to do wonders on pluckers too. I figured worth a try.

I think I will try to feed it with a syringe mixed w/ babyfood or juice... niki loves to drink, I was going to use a pop-bottle cap, but I like the idea of getting them used to a syringe. I thank God that I have yet to experince administering medicine to any fid.