How can I get my bird to eat

[deedance]

My sister gave me her bird to take of it & this bird is very malnurished & does not want to eat. He is vey skinny & the vet said he can die. What can I do to feed this bird?????

[Tari]

Can you get some instant ounces? Well he eat peanut butter? Have you tried many different textures?

At this point even seed would be a good way to get weight on. Can you spoon fed? Do you know how to hand fed? How come the vet did not keep him and tube fed for a few days? Was it an avian vet? If not you should find one and make an appointment. Did he do blood test?<br><br>Post edited by: Tari, at: 2007/07/06 15:22

[deedance]

Thanks for your comments. No, the vet did not keep him because my brother inlaw indicated that I was keeping him now. But I can't get him to eat. I guess it's a new enviroment/surroundings & he's still not comfortable. But I really want him to eat. I put a piece of banana on my hands & I did try to feed it, but he grab it & threw it out. I'll try with the peanut butter.

Thanks!

[Guest Lidia]

Get a syringe (minus the needle) and give him soft food (mashed potatoes, porridge, baby food, that sort of thing) with it. If he won't take it by syringe, give it to him on a spoon. That might work. You have to keep at this, probably hourly, until he regains his condition. If the vet said he could die, be very careful.<br><br>Post edited by: Lidia, at: 2007/07/06 15:39

[Talon]

Lidia is absolutely right! Keep at it, try warm cream of wheat, applesauce, peanut butter on toast. Hand feed him anything he will eat. If he doesn't eat anything today, take him to an avian vet asap, and insist they help nourish him until he will eat something on his own. Please keep at it, be persistent with him. And PLEASE keep us updated on his progress. Our thoughts are with you, and the best of luck today!

[Richardsmommy]

Spend a lot of time holding him and loving him. Speak to him often. Make physical contact as often as possible, offering food at frequent intervals.

 

He may be afraid to eat because he doesn't trust you and he might have to gain that trust.

 

He could also be mourning the loss of his previous environment and owner's presence; in which case, loving him and bonding with him could reinforce the fact that he's still loved and can adapt to his new environment.

[dblhelix]

First off, how old is this bird? Knowing that is important to determine the best course of action. What diet was it being offered previously? It will likely be stressed for a few weeks in a new environment adding to the challenge. Once they know you and trust you they generally respond well if you lead by example and show them (by eating the food yourself) that it is good...Keep us posted, it is worth the effort to provide a new and better home for a bird. If you stick it out you will have an amazing friend for life.

[imran]

try to get sunflower seeds..

thy love it..

till he gets better and gains weight give him that for survival..

[judygram]

This is so sad to hear, my heart breaks hearing that this little bird doesn't want to eat, try some warm baby food, anything to get some nourishment into its little body. Keep us informed. I'll pray for it.

[Richardsmommy]

What about something like Insure? Would that help, or is there something in it that would make him sicker? Or perhaps baby formula?

[judygram]

I don't know about that Richardsmommy, it might have too much sugar in it, they can't have much sugar, but its a thought.:unsure:

[Tari]

There are baby foods with no additives. Cost more but they are out there. I buy them when I'm weaning out babies.

BTW any luck Dee?