How to Raise Parrot Chicks? Feeding Methods and Precautions

At the mention of parrots, everyone is surely familiar with them. They are not only lively and cute, but after being kept for a long time they will even learn to talk like people, making them very endearing. So how do you raise parrot chicks?

1. Temperature requirements

For chicks 1-14 days old, the appropriate temperature is 36.5-34 degrees; from 15 days old until the initial feathers grow in, the appropriate temperature is 32-30 degrees; and from when the initial feathers have grown in until the weaning stage, try to maintain the rearing environment at around 28 degrees.

2. Feeding requirements

When feeding, try to use formula milk powder, and keep the appropriate temperature of the mixture and the feeding at between 38-40 degrees. When feeding, it is best to use a special spoon or syringe held close to the chick's beak. Generally, when a chick touches the spoon or syringe it will automatically open its mouth to beg for food, but when a chick is unwilling to open its mouth to eat because it is nervous or not yet accustomed, we can use the spoon or syringe to gently pry open the chick's beak and then inject a small amount of warm formula milk, which helps the chick start begging for food on its own. As for the few chicks that still do not beg for food on their own, you just need to try several more times.

The specific feeding frequency is: those 0-2 weeks old are generally fed once every 3-4 hours; those 2-4 weeks old are generally fed once every 4-6 hours; those 4-6 weeks old are generally fed four times a day; those over 6 weeks old are generally fed three times a day; those over 8 weeks old can begin weaning training, but it is recommended to still feed some formula milk in the morning and evening, with fruit or pellets for the midday meal; and by the time they are over 10 weeks old, the bird has been trained to wean, but it is recommended to feed formula milk once more in the evening.

3. Growing environment requirements

You can choose a cardboard box, a plastic storage box (storage boxes are sold in supermarkets) or a plastic aquarium (sold in aquarium shops). Normally, as the chick grows you gradually switch to a larger pet box, but if conditions do not allow it, you can choose a larger box from the start to make it easier for the chick to move around. Place a mesh grate at the bottom to separate the droppings and to prevent the risk of the chick accidentally eating them or them sticking to the cloaca. Providing the chick with a clean and comfortable environment is positively helpful for its healthy growth. If the chick is older (already practicing weaning), you can also place a perch at the bottom of the box or cage at the same time, letting the bird start practicing standing on a perch, which is greatly beneficial for the development of its feet and for adapting to a perch stand later on.

4. Lighting requirements

Apart from using a professional incubator, ordinary bird keepers can use ceramic bulbs or frosted bulbs instead, generally using 10W-40W bulbs (depending on the size and ventilation of the pet box). Because the surface temperature of the bulb is relatively high when in use, it is recommended to fit a lampshade or hang the bulb a little higher before use, so as to avoid the chick being accidentally burned. It is recommended to install the bulb in the corner of the box. Once the chick's feathers have fully grown in, you can move the bird into a bird cage or a larger space to provide a better living environment. At this point, if the room temperature can reach above twenty degrees, there is no need to take heat-preservation measures, but when the low temperature falls below twenty degrees, heat preservation must be resumed.