Hand Feeding A Baby Umbrella Cockatoo

[HeroMaryah]

is taking care of a baby cockatoo easy?

i did take care of cockatiels and love birds and budgies and i want a cockatoo or a mcaw.

please tell me >.<

[birdguy888]

@HeroMaryah It is just a longer process. If you wre able to successfully hand feed cockatiels and lovebirds, you can do it with a cockatoo. It just takes a lot longer!

[JonsenMT]

@birdguy888 Where do you find the formula specific for Cockatoos? What's it called? Thanks:)

[birdguy888]

@JonsenMT For cockatoos and African Greys and Amazons I prefer to us Rival because it is rice based and lower in fat. Too's, greys & Amazons are prone to fatty liver disease. I've used Pretty Bird and KayTee Exact as well and it is ok, but Rival is my favorite for the sensitive species. Pretty Bird and KayTee Exact are fine for all other species that I've raised. Rival is hard to find in stores or you'll need to buy it online!

[JonsenMT]

@birdguy888 Now, what about Zupreem? Is that any good?

[birdguy888]

@JonsenMT  I've never used Zupreem formula; however, I assume that it would be comparable to the other formulas. Like with pellets, they are comparable to one another. You are paying for the brand name. Pretty Bird has Species Specific pellets but to be honest, no one seen any difference in their birds health from one pellet to another.

[xxBecaB00xxx]

Hi, can you give me some advice on hand feeding? I may be breeding my hahns macaw soon and I really am looking into handfeeding the babies..I'm doing as much research on it as possible but an answer from a real person would be nice:] First off..when do I take them out of the nest? secondly, how much do I feed them and how often?

thanks :]

[birdguy888]

@xxBecaB00xxx We leave the birds in the box until they are 4 weeks old and then pull them out and finish hand feeding. As for the amount they eat, that is hard to say because each bird is different! An average estimate is they should eat about 15% of their current body weight so weigh them every single time you are going to feed. I would say they should eat between 27cc to 40cc at each feeding. Just watch and see how much they eat. It may be less or more for each bird. Increase as they age!

[14Raine14]

@xxBecaB00xxx This isn't something you should be going into blind. Having someone simply explaining to you how to do things can end in disaster! Baby birds need to be fed from around the clock, not just when you have time for it. It is also VERY easy to kill your baby bird. It may be best if you were to simply handle the baby as it grows. I know your HM is friendly, it would probably be smartest to start there.

[birdguy888]

@14Raine14 Very true. I always recommend when getting into breeding to have a long time hand feeder show you exactly what to do and how to do it. Many people asperate their baby birds which drowns them on their formula from not knowing how to do it properly. The expense is really high to get started as well when you have to get a good brooder and an incubator in case they won't sit. Both of these can easily cost $2,400 for the actual good ones. Formula and syringes aren't cheap either.

[Halpin2006]

Trouble is, you have to feed him every 2hrs, around the clock!

[birdguy888]

@Halpin2006 Oh I know that too well. LOL Day 1'ers are fed every 2 hours, day and night for the first week and then I start increasing the time by 30 minutes (if the chick is ready for it, if not I drag it out longer).

[Halpin2006]

@birdguy888

Why does a newborn parrot chick have to be fed so frequently? And does it really nourish most of that formula, or deficate it just as quickly?

"Feeeeeeed the biiiirrrddddd, tuppins an hoooouuuurrrr" LOL

[birdguy888]

@Halpin2006 Baby birds grow extremely quickly, hence the reason they are fed every 2 hours. Studies using cameras in wild parrot nests show that the parents feed about ever two hours day & night. When the chick makes a certain chirp, the parents know it is hungry and they feed it. We have to do the same in order for optimal growth and yes, they utilize all the nutrients instead of simply pooping it out.

[Nisotovski]

Bro this is not the proper way of handfeeding...

1st. Place the bird in front of you (facing you)

2nd. put the syringe into the beak on the baby's left side - your RIGHT side

there are some rules that need to be consider... its not just to take the bird and put the syringe into his beak

you are holding your baby live in your hands

[birdguy888]

@Nisotovski I've been hand feeding parrots for nearly 29 years and have never lost one do to aspiration. It doesn't matter what side you feed them on as long as you are careful and attentive. I let the bird eat on what ever side it chooses. They switch from side-to-side. Only feeding from one side can cause their beak to grow crooked!

[kalliereann]

I miss hand feeding birdies. =[

[Xanthiaxx]

It seems like you really care about animals - or if not "animals" then certainly birds. I can't stand people who don't respect wildlife so thank you for not being one of the many moronic bints who think it's acceptable to harm them.

[birdguy888]

@Xanthiaxx No problem and thanks for the comment. I love all animals but birds are definately my choice :)

[TheChaparita18]

nom nom nom nom :} im full now

[coolman8000]

from where you bring eggs >??

[birdguy888]

@coolman8000  I have a male and female that are a breeding pair.

[coolman8000]

@birdguy888

Coz i was looking for parrot eggs ,,plz if you know anyone have parrot eggs replay to me

Thank you sir & good Luck

[birdguy888]

@coolman8000 I don't know of anyone that sells the eggs. It does occasionally happen but not very often and the eggs are easily damaged during shipping, no matter how well they are padded.

[896367453]

Dang, that baby bird is the same size as my cockatiel.

[birdguy888]

@896367453 And it's amazing how fast they grow!

[cabochan1967]

Thanks for the information. You're a reputable source of good information-I can tell. Can you educate me a little about Lovebirds-do they have good personalities ? I like them as well.

[birdguy888]

@cabochan1967 Lovebirds are beautiful birds but in general don't like to be touched or held. They are more of a "look at" bird. I've raised them and found them to be great pets but they like to be left alone except for the occasional exception to the rule.  I like the sounds they make and there is a wide assortment of colors and breeds to choose from.

[cabochan1967]

Thanks for the quick response. I'm doing my research on this particular species before I spend my money. I think I'm going to purchase a yellow naped amazon parrot-they'll be less behavior problems.

[birdguy888]

@cabochan1967 I hope a breeder didn't tell you that! It's a crock of crap!!!  All the large hookbills (cockatoos, amazons, macaws) have issues. Specifically they like to be in control of you and everything around them. Amazons especially can instantly become violent and do some major damage to you where as the 'toos and macaws will bite and let go. If this is your first parrot, I recommend a different species to start with like an african grey, eclectus or pionus.

[cabochan1967]

Why don't the parents assure that the baby is properly fed ?

[birdguy888]

@cabochan1967 Unfortunately many cockatoo species will not feed in captivity. No one really knows why. They will mate, nest, incubate and hatch the chick out but once it is hatched they simply won't feed. That is why many of us who raise parrots hand feed from day 1. I've raised parrots for almost 30 years and I personally only know of 1 pair of cockatoos that feed their babies!

[coolman8000]

what you feed ur baby parrot ?

[birdguy888]

@coolman8000 I was using Kaytee-Exact hand feeding formula this time. With the cockatoos and amazons I usually feed Rival because it is the lowest fat content formula and is rice based. However, friends have had good sucess with the Kaytee-Exact so I tried it. It seemed to be fine!

[banulicious]

hi ,im having my 5 weeks old goffin cockatoo tomorrow i live in apartment are they good for apartment about noise level and how often and how many cc i should feed the baby can you give me some information please,thx

[birdguy888]

All parrots are noisy and none are really good for an apartment. Eclectus and African Greys are probably the least quiet of parrots. As for hand feeding at 5 weeks of age it is probably going to need to eat about every 3 hours. As for the amount, each bird is different but I would estimate roughly 40 to 70cc at each feeding. I am very concerned about this though. I highly recommend letting the breeder hand feed the bird until weaned. Getting it sooner means they only care about the money!

[birdguy888]

Hand feeding parrots is a skill and isn't just something a person can do.  You need to be trained by a professional to do it properly. It is extremely easy to asperate the baby on the formula (this means you get formula in the tracea and into the lungs and the baby dies a horrible death by drowning). People that sell unweaned babies are only in it for the money and don't care about the bird!

[Nisotovski]

I like to take 1-2week Cackatoo and hand feed him. How long do u need to hand feed it till he start eating by him self?

is it easier with bigger birds or the procedure is the same give him food every 4 hours around the clock except the night?

[birdguy888]

I pull my babies as day 1 because my parents won't feed. It is the same as feeding any other species in technique with appropriate formula for the species. For the 1st week they eat every 2 hours DAY & NIGHT and after that the time increases by 30 minute increments. At 2 weeks of age they are usually eating every 2.5 hours and can go 8 hours at night. My Umbrellas usually wean between 4-5 months but some have taken up to 9 months to wean. Each one is different!

[PetBirds4U]

Make sure you never feed a cockatoo a high fat formula like Kaytee Exact Macaw. They get big like the Macaws but they have totally different dietary requirements.

[nicholh001]

This is awesome and adorable. They get big fast!

Any tips on handfeeing smaller breeds..like baby quakers?

Also, so I need a heating pad? Ive heard some people do that.

[birdguy888]

No, you don't need a heating pad. They are only out of the brooder for a few minutes while you feed. If you want you can use one or a small heat lamp but it is not necessary. As for feeding smaller breeds, it is exactly the same, just smaller amounts of formula but fed more often. I also hand feed budgies and cockatiels!

[Nisotovski]

I have feeded budge but he die suddenly... i took it 7 days old and when he died he was 6-7 weeks old... I was waiting 4 him to start eating by his own but hi didnt make it. He was flaying around my apartment but i dont know what went wrong... the problem was me or he got sick? the budgie only likes me scratching his neck... when my sis try to do the same thing he will just run away from her and came to me lol...

[birdguy888]

Hand Feeding hookbills is an art and craft that takes a lot of skill. The birds, when close to weaning, have to be given seed, pellets and fresh food so they gradually learn how to eat on their own while they are still being hand fed the formula. If you fed it formula and it began to flail around, it sounds like you asperated the bird which means you got food in its lungs and is drowned.

[Bokkapooh]

@Nisotovski

Did you just cut off all handfeeding, or were you continuing to handfeed?

Cuase of death could be anything, but my best bet would be that it died because of handfeeding. Either starvation or burned crop, etc

[birdguy888]

Sometimes you just have to explain stuff! LOL

[daniellemotherof2]

You are suppose to feed the babies from the left side facing the right side because the other side is how they breath seen it on a video for Kaytee exact handfeeding formula they can suffocate doing it from right to left

[birdguy888]

That's not entirely true and it's been discussed before. No one knows where that "thinking" came from. The issue of left vs. right is directly involving the veins in the neck when taking blood. I've raised parrots for 28 years, have certified accreditation from the American Federation of Aviculture and deal with Utah's TOP Avian Vets. Feeding from the right is perfectly fine and safe!

[FellowTraveller]

they look like baby dinosaurs the flying kind! ha ha ha  That said, BOTH of our Cockatoos, sometimes want to be fed like that. unbelievable but true. my Moluccan eats from my mouth if I let her. hope I didn't offend any one but it is true. wonderful video and THANKS for posting it. FT five stars and made a favorite of course. Fellow Traveller

[birdguy888]

Yeah, our birds like to eat with us, that's for sure. I think most people with a good pet parrot gives it food from their mouth once in awhile. I have. LOL I have 1 pearl hen cockatiel that comes and gets a few drinks of milk from my cereal bowl every single day and then she's happy and content!

[PetBirds4U]

@FellowTraveller Whoa, be very careful about feeding your birds ANYTHING from your mouth. I would not recomend it, we humans have terrible germs like E.Coli living in our mouth. It is a balmy 98 degrees in there - perfect breeding ground for bacteria. I don't mean to nag, but I would hate to see you loose your feathered friend.

[GodofCider]

@FellowTraveller Hehe, well, they are dinosaurs. ^_^

[MiaandKiwi]

I must say that I'm completely jealous of the skill and attention you give your babies. The cockatoo is gorgeous and I hope that one day I'll be able to do that job as well. I'm going to school for aviculture as of right now. Despite the hard work and sleepless nights that go into rearing these babies, it must be awesome when you finally get to see the baby that you raised from day one find a really good loving home...that to me is all i could care about :)

[birdguy888]

It is a fantastic job hand raising baby parrots, no matter what species. I get attached to all of them and can only hope for the best when they go to a new family. Fortunately, most of them keep in contact with me a few times a year and send "family" pics. I love it!

[pinapple123pie]

Damn that baby is gorgeous. I love how they can be a little bit ugly but still cute. I'm only hand raising a budgie... I'm really jealous at how good you are at this!

[birdguy888]

Thanks! I've been doing this now for about 28 years, everything from budgies up to the cockatoos and macaws. It's a great job but is definately difficult when you have day 1'ers that have to be fed every 1 or 2 hours day and night!

[pinapple123pie]

Lol! Yea I do like sleep :) Ive been getting away with feeding my little guy early and late. Its taking it out of me though!

It must be really rewarding :)

[birdguy888]

It definately is. If you know anyone looking for an Umbrella send them my way. I have a wonderful female that is 9 months old and needs a good home.  Her name is Winter.

[pinapple123pie]

My uncle is a breeder, but we live in Australia. So that would be a big trip for poor Winter :) One of my cockatiels is called Winter too, he's male though. I tend to name before I know what sex they are :)

[birdguy888]

You are so lucky. There are many cockatoo species there that are just wild and even shot cause they are considered pests by the farmers. You also have hyacinthine macaws there and the yellow, white and red tailed black cockatoos. I'd give my eye teeth for any of them! LOL

[LOLKITTEH111]

lol it looks like a puppet

[geraldo98]

my cackatoo had babys

[birdguy888]

Yes, it is extremely common for cockatoos to do this. It is really rare to find cockatoos in captivity that will feed their babies. Once hatched, you have to hand feed the chicks....otherwise they starve to death. The parent will incubat the eggs and let the chick dry out after hatching but then it needs to be pulled and kept in a brooder and hand fed every 2 hours, DAY & NIGHT!

[ynk02]

thank you for the reply. I have a cockatiel and am currently hand feeding one the babies, the others died:( he or she has some yellow fur, it still hasn't opened its eyes. it does chirp once in an while after we feed it. we stop feeding it when we notice its crop filling up, then we give it some warm water that we boiled to make the formula to clean out its mouth.

[birdguy888]

You don't have to clean out its mouth, it will do that on it's own when you're done feeding it. As it gets older it will eat just a little bit more each day. Typically the eyes open around 5 days of age but can take up to 9 days. What kind of hand feeding formula are you using?

[HoudiniIam]

Are the parents able to feed the babies in captivity? I always see baby parrots being handfed, and was wondering if this is because the parents can't , won't or they're being tamed by owners?

[birdguy888]

Most parrots will feed in captivity. The exception are the cockatoo species. Most of them will mate, incubate and hatch the egg but will not feed the baby. That is the case with my cockatoos as well. Once the chick hatches at 28-30 days I have to take the baby out and hand feed it or the parents will let it starve to death. I've raised parrots since I was 7 years old, so for 29 years!

[birdguy888]

I never leave my babies unattended while feeding and always have my hand around them so they can't get to anything or walk away! I hope you took the baby to an avian vet!

[marklaing81]

Just a pointer - I have a baby umbrella that I am still hand feeding, have had it since the egg. I left its mixture next to him, waiting for it to cool down, and being the naughty birds that they are he stole some food. This resulted in him getting "Crop Burn" and nearly killing him. Please watch that this does not happen to any of your birds.

[amirtv8]

where can i get a triton or Eleanora Cockatoo

[birdguy888]

I'm not aware of anyone personally that is currently breeding them. Best way would be to do a search for them and check breeder web pages.

[volcom2883]

try animal sanctuaries first. there are plenty of great pets that need homes.

[birdguy888]

When you first pull the babies it takes them a couple days before they realize the syringe tip os for food so it is more difficult to feed them. Once they realize it is food they open up and give the feeding response. If they have their feathers you can keep them together in a small clear container but if they still have down they need the brooder and need to be at 95 degrees. If they pant, decrease the heat a bit more.

[ihearteeyore]

wow you are really good at hand feeding! today i tried hand feeding my baby lovebirds ( about 13 to 14 days old ) i dont think i am doing it right. they dont open up to the syringe like your cockatoo. do you put your chicks into a brooder?

[parrotguitarist]

what can you feed them?

And how do you now when they dont whant to eat anymore?

[birdguy888]

They are fed an actual hand feeding formula made for parrots and we know by age when they should wean and begin to taper them slowly off the formula so as they get hungry they will begin to eat their pellets and fresh food. Once in awhile you get a stubborn one that doesn't want to wean so you just keep feeding until it is ready to wean.

[birdguy888]

When I place orders I use one of my suppliers but if I' in between ordering, I buy it from PetSmart. PetSmart carries Kaytee Exact formula. For the cockatoos, amazons and greys I try to use Rival which is rice based and the lowest fat content.

[zubiboxer]

where do u buy the formula from

[birdguy888]

Every bird is different and can revert back onto formula but it is usually around 4-5 months depending on the bird itself. Umbrellas take 5 to 9 months! Some wean early while others don't want to wean and will cry and beg for formula and they have to have it until they are ready to fully eat on their own. When my babies are weaned I keep them an extra 4 weeks to ensure they do not revert which happens sometimes! If they revert and dont get formula they can starve to death!

[pigiraffe]

At what age do you stop hand feeding the goffin cockatoos the formula? plz answer soon!

[birdguy888]

Oh I agree. I think they look like little aliens and they do grow fast to begin with and once they get feathered it takes quite a while until they are finished growing and weaned and can go to a new home....on average about 5 to 9 months for an umbrella cockatoo.

[bunnyluv41]

Hey, birdguy888 .. just curious .. how much food can a small one of that size take in in one feeding?

[birdguy888]

It's all age & bird dependant. In general my babies at day 1 will eat anywhere from 0.30 to 0.85 cc, & about 10 days of age they are eating about 6.0 to 7.0 cc & about 30 days they are between 22.0 and 30.0 cc. Basically as they grow and eat, the formula slowly stretches out their crop so it can hold more food.  For the first 7 days they are fed every 2 hours DAY AND NIGHT & after that it is slowly increased by 30 minutes. Takes 5 to 9 months to hand raise them, depending on the bird of course.

[bunnyluv41]

wow .. and i'm sure they grow fast! As we used to say about the cabbage patch dolls: "they're ugly, but so cute!" LOL .. no offense intended, I hope you know.

[birdguy888]

Yeah, they are amazingly helpless; blind, deaf and naked except for a little bit of bright yellow down. When hand feeding them in the beginning you have to gently hold their little heads up so they can eat. Normal U2's at hatching weigh about 10-12 grams. My pair is what has recently been found to be a sub-species of larger ones. My babies tend to weigh between 13.5 and 15 grams. My adult weights are around 850 grams!

[Arahkas]

They're soooooo ugly that they're cute when they're little like that. I always thought they were the cutest little ugly pink things.

I have an 11 year umbrella cockatoo named lacey! I need to get vids up of her soon!

[birdguy888]

I absolutely agree! I think when they first hatch they look like a little alien! LOL

[Arahkas]

Also their being uber helpless and needing you and all your love and fallin' on their little faces adds to it too I think....

They do kinda look like little aliens!

[birdguy888]

The best thing is to give it about a week in its cage and leave it alone so it can calm down. It is usually scared beging in a new place. Just do the pellets, water and fresh food each day and talk to it several times a day, tell it it is a pretty bird or good bird and try giving it a treat through the bars. After a week open the door and let it out to play and then you can usually pet it and pick it up.

[Dysl3xicDog]

Any tips on calming a new bird?

[bugzteen]

gorgeous =D

i have a cockatiel,hoppo, and a jendey conjah, kewi. but i've never breeded any birds, i you have to have special training, but i'd like to train to be a vet =D

[birdguy888]

I have 14 cockatiels of different colors and genetic splits. I also have cockatoos, macaws, greys, eclectus and a few species of conures and budgies too.

[bugzteen]

wow, thats a lot of looking after for one day haha must really fun to work with birds, do you train them as well?

[zubiboxer]

are you selling any

[birdguy888]

I am currently out of baby birds except for a couple of budgies and a few cockatiels.

[zubiboxer]

do know when you are going to have any babyUmbrella Cockatoos for sale

[birdguy888]

I have the breeders together now and they usually lay within 42 days of being together. If they do, it take 28 days for the eggs to hatch and 5 to 9 months for the baby to be raised and ready for a new home. At the earliest I won't have a baby until around February to June of 2009. Just an FYI, I do not sell unweaned babies.

[birdguy888]

Absolutely correct. I've raised parrots for 27 years and it is NOT easy and you can easily kill the baby if you don't know what you're doing. Their "wind pipe" is in the middle of their tongue so if you get 1 single drop of fomula in there, they asperate (drown) and die. No one should do this without proper training!

[celticnightharp]

For anyone who watches this video, and thinks it is easy to handfeed a baby bird of any species, YOU ARE WRONG! Handfeeding should only be done by someone who is taught properly! Attempting to do so without learning first is dangerous to the bird. It could drown in the feed, or your could give it crop burn, both are fatal in most cases.

[naruxsasuxlove]

i have an umbrella cockatoo her name is pride ^_^

[birdguy888]

I love U2's, they are phenominal, lovable pets.

[Richardtheincredible]

why do bird raisers allways have piercings on their faces. All the ones that I know have them, is it like a cult thing?

[birdguy888]

LOL, I don't know, and to be honest I'm the only one I've seen with facial piercings. I also own a piercing/tattoo studio which is my main job.

[najibnabeel]

where did you get the baby at i want one please tell me

[birdguy888]

I raise parrots as part of my income. If you are interested in getting a large hookbill you need to do some research on them. They can be EXTREMELY loud and they are VERY destructive and with 1 bite can rip a hole in your carpet, your wall or cupboards and quicly shred drapes and blinds.

[dakidmark90]

can you help me with breeding greys

[pencilpush]

It most certainly is NOT a myth! You ask a vet or any breeders who have been doing this for any number of years. I know of MANY people who have aspirated a baby because they were feeding incorrectly. Your baby is darling. Don't you want to make sure he/she will be ok? As the bird faces YOU, You put the syringe in the *birds" left side of it's beak. If you do it wrong you *CAN* kill him. I'm not trying to start anything her except to see you raise healthy and safe birds.

[birdguy888]

I understand and I'm not taking it wrong, trust me. I love my birds like you love yours! I've hand raised hookbills for 27 years and this is how I've always done it. The only time it changes is when the baby gets bigger and changes directions on me and I'll feed whatever way it is facing. I've never had one aspirate and all 4 of my avian vets have seen me hand feed and everything is fine with my procedure. Thanks for the concern though; nice to know someone else cares too!

[redgator12]

thats so cute i have an Umbrella Cockatoo named Tut and he is the cutest, nicest, and most cuddley bird EVERY!!! you don't even nedd to wrap him in a towl to clip his wings or talons you just show him a pair of scissors and he opens his wing, and you show him a nailfile and he'll give you his talons. it's so cute!!!!

[birdguy888]

Yeah, they are intelligent and those are common attributes for large hookbills, especially if they have never had it done the wrong, painful way. U2's are awesome birds!

[pencilpush]

are you aware that you are feeding the wrong way, from right to left and it should be left to right? You can aspirate the baby that way.

[birdguy888]

That's a myth, like splitting a birds tongue to get it to talk. The left/right direction only applies with emergency tube feeding.

[lovinda8]

Aaw! That's soo cute! :)

My Goffin cockattos have just laid their first egg! I'm not sure what to do with it.. Should I let them take care of it, or should we take it away? And how do I feed the chick?

[birdguy888]

Leave it with them. If you take it away they might feel robbed and will destroy future eggs. They usually feed in captivity, if not then you'll need some syringes w/out the needle and formula for parrots.

[lovinda8]

Thank you very much! :)

[mooshy1]

hi, did you have a fertelised egg that you had to incubate? I am thinking of breeding cockatoos, where do you get fertelised eggs? what what do you have in the formula to feed the babies?

[birdguy888]

You cannot buy fertilized parrot eggs. You must have a breeding pair of birds. The formula is an actual parrot hand rearing formula. You also need the right size breeding cage and correct nest box.

[cpsinutah888]

Adorable! With that much delicate work I can understand why they are expensive members to add to a family!

[birdguy888]

That is very true. A lot of work and TIME goes into properly raising any parrot wheather it is a budgie, cockatiel or a cockatoo or macaw!

[birdguy888]

They are kind of cute. He is 19 days old now and is just getting his quils and looks like a pink and white porcupine! LOL

[marieoconnell1]

nice never really had an experience with that type of bird but very cute