VMD 513: Pet animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

FEEDING OF ORPHAN BIRDS

• Young birds are of two types
  • Nidicolous chicks (Altricial birds),  
  • Nidifugous chicks (precocial)
• Nidicolous chicks (Altricial birds), which hatch at an early stage of development and are generally blind, helpless and more or less naked (nestling)
• the second type Nidifugous chicks (precocial) have longer incubation period and they leave the shell clad in down feathers and have the ability to run about and pick up food for themselves.
• The young ones of the above mentioned birds belong to the first type requires much care.
• For small birds the best feeder is thin tipped spatulate wooden stick or (match stick). This helps to push back the food on bird's tongue.
• It is important not to fill the mouth with food, as this may block the wind pipe and cause suffocation.
• Young nestling require frequent feeding in every 20-30 minutes.
• It is generally safe to continue feeding until the bird ceases to gape.
• The feed may be (depending upon the type of species)  boiled mashed egg, biscuit meal, insects, larvae, minced earth worm, bread soaked in milk etc.
• The bread should be thoroughly soaked but not dripping milk as the milk could enter the trachea and cause aspiration.
• Banana and other soft fruits can also be given.
• It is a good policy to do feeding, watering and cleaning at the same time each day, if possible by the same person.
• Birds quickly become accustomed to such routine and may became disturbed if these operations are performed at unpredictable time.
• One should always remember to move slowly and deliberately around birds and not make sudden loud sounds as birds are very easily frightened by unaccustomed movements or sounds.