How to Hand Feed an African Grey

The African Grey parrot is a popular pet because of its intelligence and uncanny ability to communicate with its owner and retain large vocabularies. The birds are grey in color, with accents of red, white and maroon depending on the species. They grow to about 10 to 14 inches in height and have a life span of around 60 years, so this type of pet is a long-term commitment. These parrots should be hand-fed when they are young and weaned on the advice of a bird specialist or veterinarian.

Things You'll Need

  • Feeding spoon, bent to fit the parrot's beak
  • Paper towel
  • Clean towel
  • Baby container
  • Shavings
  • Bird formula
  • Plastic syringe
  • Metal gavage feeding tube
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Instructions

    • 1

      Decide on the type of utensil you will use to feed your bird. Spoon feeding is recommended by the Parrotlet Ranch website, since it is the closest to a natural way that birds eat.

    • 2

      Prepare the area by placing a paper towel on top of a clean towel.

    • 3

      Place the baby chick in a clean, baby container that has been lined with shavings.

    • 4

      Heat water on the stove top to a high simmer, almost to a boil.

    • 5

      Mix the formula until it is the right consistency, following the package directions.

    • 6

      Test the temperature of the prepared formula on your wrist, or make sure it is around 102 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 7

      Add the warmed formula to the spoon, syringe or gavage tube.

    • 8

      Touch the feeding utensil to the left side of the chick's mouth; he will automatically open it. If you are using the syringe or gavage, depress it slowly and allow the chick to feed at his own pace. The chick will feed out of the spoon willingly once he gets a taste of the warmed formula.