How to Hand-Feed Canary Chicks

Canaries are small birds that many people choose to keep as pets. Breeders have bred them in captivity since the 1600s. Breeding in captivity results in easier-to-tame birds that make better pets than canaries captured in the wild. However, one of the best ways to ensure that a baby canary grows up into a bird that will interact with its owner in a desirable way is by hand feeding it when it is a baby.

Things You'll Need

  • Commercial hand-feeding food
  • Warm water
  • Small bowl
  • Spoon
  • Toothpick
  • Eyedropper
  • Soft cloth
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a commercial hand-feeding baby bird formula. There are several brands on the market. You should be able to find one that works best for canaries by asking a specialist at a large pet or bird store,

    • 2

      Mix hand-feeding bird food with warm water, using a small bowl and spoon; follow instructions on the package. The formula should be a nice, thin consistency, so that it can easily be used in an eyedropper.

    • 3

      Use your small eyedropper to provide gently a small amount of formula to the baby canary. If the baby is very young, you may choose to use a toothpick to provide even smaller droplets.

    • 4

      Drop the food in small droplets on the baby's bill. The baby canary will open its mouth and ingest the food on its own. After it becomes accustomed to this process, the bird may start opening its mouth to allow easier feeding.

    • 5

      Use a soft cloth and warm water to clean up any spilled food, so that it does not harden on the baby and restrict blood flow.