Baby Sun conure Feeding

[Madison045]

Hello, today my husband adopted a sun conure. To be quite frank, he really had done very zero research before purchasing. I OK'ed since I grew up with a parrot and since he works mainly from home can commit to the time. I talked to the store owner (who didn't speak english well, so I was limited to questions) to confirm the details about feeding it as and then got a second opinion at petco, but as I'm researching further I am super worried about messing it up. Especially since I have seen multiple people state that they would not sell a bird that was still weaning (I wasn't aware). The man gave us a powder formula and told us to mix it with water and feed it two syringes 3x a day. The syringe is unmarked so I can go buy a new one if needed for the approximate CC. He said the powder to water is a 1-4 ratio. Does this sound correct? He also uses a long tube attached to the syringe which to be honest, scares me because Im afraid of choking. The bird took to it quite well and seems used to it. He told me in about a month I should cut it down to skipping lunch tube and introducing solid food while still doing morning and night feedings. I appreciate any advice, it is a very happy and healthy bird and is cuddling on my husbands shoulder as I type this and I want to keep it that way. I attached a picture because he told us he was 3 months but after looking at others posts I think he is much younger.

My concerns are

1. Should I continue to use the long tube (crop?) attached to the syringe? Or detach it and just try the syringe? Is the tube dangerous if hes already used to it?

2. Does temperature matter? I just mixed warm water in but I have seen videos stating it needs to be a specific temp

3. Two syringes 3x a day enough? Can they overeat?

3. Any links to feeding videos that are specific? I have watched a few and they seem fairly straightforward but I'm still concerned

Attachments

 

[Shezbug]

@Zara

 

[Zara]

1. Should I continue to use the long tube (crop?) attached to the syringe? Or detach it and just try the syringe? Is the tube dangerous if hes already used to it?

It is not so much about the bird being used to it. The worrying factor is the expertise of the person using it. Frankly I would switch over to feed on a teaspoon. If your bird won't take it you could try the syringe with no tube but if you have no experience in feeding that way, you are safer with the spoon. It's mega messy but a cloth afterwards can fix that.

2. Does temperature matter? I just mixed warm water in but I have seen videos stating it needs to be a specific temp

Yes. If it is too cold, it can lead to infections.
Feed at 104-105F.

3. Two syringes 3x a day enough? Can they overeat?

You will need to monitor the crop to know. Don't overfeed to the point the crop is bulging. But there should always be food in there. One crop full gets digested, and while there's just a little amount left you feed again. You can visually see the crop working and the contents being digested. Just allow it to completely empty one time per 24 hours ( during the night)

3. Any links to feeding videos that are specific? I have watched a few and they seem fairly straightforward but I'm still concerned

Some helpful links about hand feeding :)

With these Links-I hope to bring You as Much information as I can to help anyone that finds them selves having to Hand feed A chick Lots of tips for Breeders-with links for Hand feeding etc http://www.parrotscanada.com/breeder...rbreeders.html A new way to Hand feed-With a Cup...

forums.avianavenue.com

Lots of good info in that thread for you.

He said the powder to water is a 1-4 ratio. Does this sound correct?

Seems too watery.
I don't know what the food is to give you an accurate ratio. But usually they are 1:2.5 or 1:3 something like that. The formula should be thick but runs.

 

[Madison045]

Thank you so much for your answers!