Homemade Baby Bird Food

Baby birds are delicate and need special care. They must be kept in the proper conditions and given appropriate baby bird food. Just like other infants, they must be fed at regular intervals. If you come across a baby bird that has fallen out of its nest, it is advisable to call a veterinarian. If you decide to administer baby bird care on your own, there are some measures you will need to take.

There are many brands of baby bird food available in the market. Your local veterinarian or pet supply store will be able to advise you on the right kind of food to feed baby bird. Some birds have different fat requirements and hence it is important to ensure that they are on a proper diet. When using bird formula, add some warm water to the formula and blend into a thick consistency. It should not be very watery as the bird may suffer from diarrhea. A formula that is too thick may also cause problems as the bird could choke on it. It is advisable to offer warm food to a baby bird. Birds are not likely to eat food that is too hot or cold.

The ideal temperature of food should be between 102 and 108 degrees F. Check the temperature of food by touching it. If it is comfortable enough to touch, the temperature is right. Discard the leftovers once feeding is complete. Many formulas cannot be reheated and used again. You can store pre-mixed bird formula in the refrigerator. If you do not have any bird formula handy, you can grind bird pellets and add to hot water. One can also make homemade baby bird food by adding some sugar to warm water. This will hydrate the bird and increase its chances of survival until you are able to give it proper bird food.

Do not feed baby birds seeds and other adult bird foods. While feeding you may open the beak of the bird gently using your fingernail. Place the food at the back of the mouth through a syringe and then allow it to close its mouth. The syringe must have a long tube at the end so that food may be easily placed inside the bird’s mouth. Do not place baby birds on their backs during feeding as this may result in choking. Generally baby birds are to be fed after every 2 hours during the day and night. This must be continued until they are a week old.