What's the best way to feed gruel to my Indian ringneck parrot chick?

You could but it would not be a balanced diet. A commercial handfeeding formula would provide complete nutrition for your growing chick. You can purchase it at most pet stores or online. If you can't find one, a better recipe can be found online using your preferred search engine. Follow the link for an example. http://www.indianringneck.com/forum/viewtopic.php

Baby parrots do not eat milk and it would not be nutritious and may cause diarrhea or other digestive upset that could lead to dehydration or death. Baby birds, if not being fed by their parents, should be fed a specially formulated baby bird food. Many pet stores will carry this and it can be added to a syringe to feed your baby parrot with. Most will come with feeding instructions depending on your baby birds age and size.

Ringnecks should be fed a wide variety of foods. A high quality dry food mix that contains seeds, grains and nuts should be available at all times - a Small Hookbill or Cockatiel should be suitable for them. Clean, fresh water for drinking and bathing should also be provided. Their diet should also include a good amount of leafy dark greens and vegetables (i.e. chard, kale, carrots, corn, celery, squash), as well as fruits (i.e., applies, grapes, pears, persimmons, pomegranates, figs, grapes, bananas). Wild-picked green foods such as chickweed, seeding grass, dandelion (flowers, roots and leaves), shepherds-purse and sow-thistle make excellent additions to a healthy diet. Germinated or sprouted seeds are especially important for the breeding season. They should be fed fresh making sure that it is not contaminated by bacteria or molt. It should have a sweet smell. If it smells foul or sour, discard. Frequent rinsing will help prevent spoilage. Sprouting: The Easy Way. Calcium supplements, such as cuttlefish, shell grit, crushed oyster shell or calcium blocks should be available - particularly during the breeding season. Millet spray makes a nutritious treat.

If you just bought the birds yesterday they may still be a little stressed causing some fearful behavior and a reduction in appetite. Making sure their cage is in a calm, quiet place, is free from drafts or extreme temperatures and the food offered is appropriate for their needs is a good first step. If your bird continues to not eat, remains listless or has worsening symptoms, seeking veterinary care ASAP is best.

Make sure Lulu is warm as a cold chick will not eat. Mix up fresh handfeeding formula each time and make sure it is warm as well. Check her crop for emptying before each feeding. If her crop is full or slow to empty, have her examined by your veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian to diagnose infection or injury.

Look for a commercial pelleted diet (Harrison's, Lafeber, Pretty Bird, KayTee Exact or Roudybush). These can be purchased online or in most pet stores. Discontinue the almonds and dry fruit. As you know, these do not make up a balanced or healthy diet. Instead, supplement with a bit of a fortified seed mix, fresh fruit and vegetables and cooked grains and beans. You can let her eat rice or cooked eggs off your plate (or from her own plate with you at the table) to get her interested in other, healthier options.

It's possible the baby got a bit chilled from being wet. Making sure he is in a cage that is kept warm, and adding in a heat lamp as needed to help him dry off and warm up may help, as well as making sure he is still eating and drinking. If he continues to weaken, is showing other signs of illness, or isn't improving, seeking veterinary care in person ASAP is best as once birds are showing signs of illness, it is typically serious enough to require care in person.