Do 3-day-old baby cockatiels need vitamin or calcium supplements?

Thanks for reaching out about Naoki. If providing a wide range of vegetables, beans and pellets, does not need vitamin drops or calcium powder. Fruit should be considered treats as mostly water, fructose and some other nutrients. Good luck.

Unless your vet recommended it specifically, I would be giving eggfood or even cuttlebone/oyster shell as a calcium alternative to the Tums if you need a long-term calcium boost (Tums is great for short-term after an egg-binding episode, but longer term eggfood or oyster shell may be easier on your bird's GI tract). Otherwise, her diet and routine looks pretty good!

Removing the nest and current eggs won't replenish any currently lost calcium, but it may discourage Phoebe from laying more. If she doesn't have a mate, the eggs aren't viable and should be removed anyway. If you suspect she may lay more eggs, adding in a calcium supplement such as oyster shells or a cuttlebone (you can also use cooked eggfood, there are lots of recipes online) can help replenish calcium in addition to feeding her regular diet.

Birds require calcium for more than just egg laying. It strengthens bones, aids in enyzme and hormone function, muscle development, nerve transmission and certain metabolic processes among other biological functions. A cuttlebone or mineral block should always be available. Limit dehydrated fruits that can be high in sugar. Fresh fruits, vegetables and greens would be preferred. They should make up no more than 25% of the diet. Pellets should make up the majority of her diet at 75%. Fresh foods can make up the remaining 25%. Generally, anything good for you is good for her except for chocolate, caffeine, alcohol and avocado.

First time and young parents may not know what to do with a baby and may need assistance from you. It may also be that she is still focused on the unhatched eggs instead of the baby. Purchasing a syringe and some baby bird formula (most pet stores will carry this) is best. The formula should have instructions for how much to feed and how often depending on your bird's size, age and breed, however most baby birds will need to be fed frequently. You can check how full they are by looking at the crop, which is a sort of "balloon" just under the chin that is usually more visible before their feathers come in-- when full, it will fill up, and when hungry it will be empty. If the baby doesn't seem to be getting fed enough, stepping in with supplementation can help. If the mother and father are picking on the baby heavily, or kicking it out of the nest completely, you may need to move him to a separate cage that is kept warm with a nest and heat lamp, and provide all feedings yourself.

Too much calcium COULD cause a concern, but maybe taking an occasional blood sample to measure circulating calcium, would be a good idea. This might indicate over supplementation of calcium. Normally birds regulate calcium absorption through the intestines and supplementation is not a problem. Monitor defecation and urination. Keep in contact with your veterinarian. Good luck.

It is possible that there was something in the vitamins that made him ill, was in too high of a dose, or they weren't administered properly. Since he is now reacting to them, it would be best to seek out his vet or an emergency vet clinic in your area ASAP to get him seen and treated. Until you can get to the vet, keeping him warm and calm and on his regular baby bird food may help, but if he is acting very ill after being given a medication he needs to be seen by a vet ASAP. In the future, it is best not to give any extra supplements or medications to your birds unless instructed by a vet to ensure they are the right dosage and type for your bird to handle.