How to Hand-Feed & Care for Budgies

Hand-feeding and caring for baby budgies can be a challenging, yet rewarding experience. Hand-fed budgies are more tame than parent-raised birds, and male birds are more likely to talk if they are hand-fed. Hand-feeding is easy if you have the right supplies and closely follow each step. However, improperly hand-feeding can injure or kill a baby budgie.

Things You'll Need

  • Eyedropper or small syringe
  • Hand-feeding formula (available at most pet stores)
  • Thermometer
  • Shoe box
  • Cloth rags
  • Electric heating pad
  • Bird cage
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Instructions

    • 1

      Line the shoe box with the rags. Place the shoe box on the heating pad. Place the temperature on the highest setting to maintain around 98 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 2

      Take the babies from the parents when they are approximately two weeks old. Remove one or two of the oldest babies if you aren't hand-feeding the entire clutch. Place the babies in the box and keep them there while hand-feeding and raising.

    • 3

      Mix the formula with water and heat the mixture to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the formula in the clean eyedropper or syringe and immediately feed the bird. Avoid feeding the bird with formula that is too cool because it will not digest properly. Ensure that the formula isn't too hot because it will burn the bird's crop, part of the alimentary tract used for food storage prior to digestion.

    • 4

      Feed the birds every three to four hours. Feed the birds fresh formula at each feeding and discard excess formula after each feeding.

    • 5

      Begin to feed the birds fresh fruit, vegetables and budgie seed when they are about six weeks old. Continue to feed them formula if they aren't ready to eat other foods.

    • 6

      Move the budgies from the box into a small cage when they start attempting to fly. Feed the budgies until they eat and drink on their own and refuse to consume the hand-fed formula. Keep the cage in a warm, draft-free area.