Guideline Feeding Amounts for Juvenile Formula

Best product results are obtained with enteral feedings (2-4 feedings/day). Chicks should consistently gain weight until they reach adult size. Chicks may require additional calories during fledging. 

For hatchlings less than seven days old, or for specific species of all ages (see below), use Harrison's Recovery Formula. 

After seven days of age, for suitable species, switch gradually to Juvenile Formula (mix the formula and reduce the quantity of Recovery Formula in the mix over a number of days). 

It is usual to start feeding a dilution ratio of 1:3 (1 part Recovery to 3 parts water by volume). As the chick ages, or if the initial volume to feed becomes limiting, less dilute formulas (through to 1:2) will provide the same calories with less volume but may not be compatible with all feeding methods.

The below table gives the usual feeding amounts for psittacines of certain weights.

Feeding directions

Caution: The correct feeding technique must be used in order to prevent injury to the bird or inhalation of the formula that could result in pneumonia or death.

Directions:

Step 1: Gently feel the crop to determine that it is almost empty before feeding.

Step 2: Mix fresh: 1 part dry formula to 1-3 parts “drinking water” heated to approximately 103°F (39°C), or as directed by your avian veterinarian. Do not microwave. Allow to cool to lukewarm. 

Chicks with their eyes opened should be fed 3-4 times daily, and birds with feathers emerging, 2-3 times daily.

Step 3: Feeding with an irrigation syringe is probably the most universally successful technique. As one faces the bird, position the syringe to enter the oral cavity from the left side of the bird’s beak and direct it toward the right side of the bird’s neck. Deposit the food into the bird’s mouth and, as it swallows, the normal feeding response closes off the trachea and prevents aspiration of the formula into the lungs.

Step 4: Feed the bird until the crop is full but not overstuffed and clean the excess formula from the bird’s beak, feathers and enclosure.