Cindy

[Mike B]

Since you asked what I meant by connection to real food. I'll start a new thread. I don't want to clog that thread. By connection I mean. A baby bird has no idea what you are offering is food. What you want to do is establish a connection w/ it's brain to what food is. This is why I suggested the squash. You chop it up, and some water, and it is very close to formula consistancy. Now when you keep it roughly to the same temp. There isn't a brain block as to what is happening. The only thing that is different is taste. There aren't to many baby Macaws that will turn down warm squash. So if you offer a squirt of formula, then a taste of the squash. The connection will be made. The formula gets them in the eating mode. The squash will keep it going. You either offer the squash by bent spoon, or on your fingers. I prefer a spoon, bacteria, and all from your fingers. If you keep the squash in a bowl next to the water dish, same type of bowl. Eventually the connection is made. OK now comes the disclaimer LOLOL. Sorry Christine, and Cosmo, but I'm going to use you here. Always listen to your Avian Vet first. Even a bad one has more education than most of us. Frankly I would say 95% of us. So everyone don't go, and take what I wrote as something that is the way to do it. This is what I have found works for me that's all.

Mike

[FeatherLover]

Mike, I had a question about HUMAN baby food. I was going to PM you, but this looks like the perfect place for it.

You mentioned not using human baby food...what about organic?

[Lisa B]

human baby food will not add weigh to a sick bird. Tho I do keep it in the house. my main reason is for accidents. If a bird is hurt or injured and cant eat hard food, you need to get something in them. Something is better than nothing, but its not formulated to really help birds.
I used to take baby foods into the animal hosptial to feed Samspon, along with a variety of other foods. Anything I could get him to eat was good. He was on antifungals and had no appetite.
While under the care of Dr Katherine Quesenberry, Diplomate, ABVP and chief of staff at the Animal Medical Center in NYC, She infrormed me that while I had good intentions, the best thing for s sick bird who is not eating and needs to be hand fed, was handfeeding mix.
I handfed a sick tag for nearly 5 years. Both baby food and harrisons juvenile handfeeding formula.
I was told just not to use the baby foods that contained meat or meat products.

[Mike B]

Thanks Lisa

Megan the reason I'm against human baby food is the iron, and extra suppliments. That combined w/ the formula there is a good chance the baby could get to much of a good thing. On the Organic even some of those are enriched. I guess the important thing when feeding human food is read the labels. If the word enriched is on it stay away.

Mike

[The Outlaw]

Many human baby foods are enhanced with iron and other additives appropriate for mammal growth, but not necessarily avian growth. Organic really means its grown without pesticides. They can still be fortified.

When I have prepared food for sick birds, I usually do pretty much what Mike suggested: work with fresh and alter it to the most convenient or appropriate form. Sometimes, its pureed other times, simply cut up. Depends on the condition of the bird.

Kathie mentioned a supplement like Instant Ounces, I think it was a Kaytee product. Its got more carbs to boost weight gains and to stimulate the appetite. On some occasions,its important to give the bird anything it can tolerate to keep it hydrated and with enough calories to keep it warm. They can get too weak to eat on their own.

[The Outlaw]

Mike and I were posting at the same time. Looks like we are totally on the same page.

[FeathersNFur8]

I was told just not to use the baby foods that contained meat or meat products.

Why? The reason I ask, is I add a jar of baby strained chicken to my Birdie Bread recipe. If this is bad, I'll stop being lazy a boil a chicken breast and puree it.

[Lisa B]

Originally Posted by FeathersNFur8

Why? The reason I ask, is I add a jar of baby strained chicken to my Birdie Bread recipe. If this is bad, I'll stop being lazy a boil a chicken breast and puree it.

honesty I did not ask why, when it was said...... I just said ok.

Ask Dr A next time you are in.....and I will try to find out on my end.

[FeatherLover]

Okay. Thanks.

I was giving Wrigley some organic baby food in addition to her handfeedings. I was using it as a way to try and get Wrigley to eat a bit on her own.
The ingredients are, for example:
-organic peaches
-organic apple puree
-organic banana puree
-organic brown rice
-water
-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
-no added salt, sugar, fillers, preservatives

My next question: What about an adult bird? Can Togo & RJ have the organic baby foods? (If not, it's okay...they taste SO good I'll eat them!)

[The Outlaw]

So long as they aren't fortified. Again, its usually iron that is the problem. Read the label and go from there.