Is mouth feeding my pet bird harmful? How do I get it to eat?

Hi and thank you for your question, It is best not to feed Carino mouth to mouth. This is because of the different bacteria (and sometimes fungi) that people and parrots have in the saliva, and also because it makes her see you as her partner, which may cause her in the future to lay eggs. This can lead to all sorts of serious problems and is best avoided. Regards

Thanks for reaching out about Cheeku. If she is not eating, she needs to see a veterinarian. Crop/esophageal infections or obstruction (ingested foreign material) can cause serious problems. Maintaining proper husbandry (i.e. environmental temperature) is important for sick birds, to conserve their own energy to fight illness. Veterinarians attempt to place ill birds in incubators fo 80-85 degrees, 24/7. Attempt to syringe water, as dehydrate is a more immediate concern than starvation. Good luck.

If you attached photos, they didn't go through with the question, so I can't see them! You are welcome to ask again with photos attached. If Buddy is of the age where you can start weaning her, you may want to start offering regular food in addition to syringe feedings to see if she is interested. If she seems very ill, becomes lethargic, or won't eat anything offered to her at all, seeking veterinary care to rule out any health issues is a good idea.

It sounds like there may be something stuck in Jerry's mouth or throat/crop, or there may be a functional deformity that is preventing him from being able to eat and drink properly. While baby birds may still be occasionally fed by their parents at this age, they should be exploring, eating and drinking on their own for the most part. It would be best to bring Jerry into a local avian clinic so that they can examine him safely and check for illness or physical issues.

Continue attempting to contact your veterinarian. Amphotericin is used to treat bacterial and yeast infections in birds, but you'll need an appropriate dose for the second bird. This you'll have to get from the vet as we are legally prohibited from recommending doses for prescription medications. If you don't have experience handfeeding, contact a local breeder or avian vet. In the meantime, a soft diet (such as a handfeeding formula) can be offered. Keep the bird warm and as stress free as possible.

Thanks for reaching out about Zazu. A major concern would be aspiration of food making it difficult for Zazu to breath. A veterinary visit is highly recommended as soon as possible. Heat support, antibiotics and possibly anti-fungal medications, fluid therapy and nutritional support are needed. Aspiration of the trachea to clean might also help. A veterinary visit should be scheduled as soon as possible. Good luck.

If the chick is 3-5 weeks old, he can be removed from the cage. Use an appropriate hand feeding formula and feed 2-3 times daily. The formula should be warm (not hot) as most chicks will refuse cold food. He should also be kept warm. A cold chick will not eat. By 7-8 weeks, he should be eating seed, pellets and other foods on his own.