Could Use Some Advice

I'm currently fostering two Indian Ringneck babies. There were three in total, however the person who wanted the blue one took that one home to foster but it sadly passed away. I have the other two and here's the problem with these babies.

The person that I help foster and handfeed babies got them from someone who pulled them out of the nest box entirely to late and they are terrified of human contact, and they are far from being weaned.

Now I believe that the person who had the blue one probably aspirated the baby or the baby simply did not eat, and sadly passed.

I have been having better luck with these babies as I am feeding them but it's taking a lot of patients. The green one is bar far the most difficult one to feed as he rather fight me the entire way, sticking his little tongue into the syringe trying to get away, etc.. However he is easier to get a hold of. He's scared but is not as terrified as the little gray one I am fostering. The gray one, she's so scared she'll run and try and duck under bowls etc and just scared out of her little mind. I don't want to overwhelm these babies and of course I don't want to aspirate them, however they don't eat their fate is sealed as well. So if anyone has any helpful tips to make it easier on them I would appreciate it.

When I do feed them I keep they wrapped up in a towel, and keep them close to me, I speak softly to them and take my time feeding them just so they don't aspirate. Afterwards I can have the green one perch on my finger and pet him but you know he's terrified but he does settle after a bit. The blue one, she dashes away and will do anything to get away from you(besides bite) so I just want to do my best in making them feel comfortable as well as help them trust human contact.

Thanks in advance

Awww they are so cute... I have no advise but looks like your doing ok with the circumstances you have. Nice job

How long have you had these babies??? Yes they're being removed a bit late to start the hand feeding process. But the breeder could of play with them while in the nest box. Keep being patient with them as they will recognize the syringe is their friend as food comes out of them.

Wrap them in a towel to sit with you is the perfect thing to do to get them adjusted to you! I'm sure they'll turn out just fine from what you've done so far.

MikeyTN said:

How long have you had these babies??? Yes they're being removed a bit late to start the hand feeding process. But the breeder could of play with them while in the nest box. Keep being patient with them as they will recognize the syringe is their friend as food comes out of them.

Wrap them in a towel to sit with you is the perfect thing to do to get them adjusted to you! I'm sure they'll turn out just fine from what you've done so far.

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I'm working on my fourth day having these babies. The person that got them from the breeder who asked me to work with these babies had only had them for about two days, the person with the third chick got that baby the same day the person I assist and it died after one day. So yes they have been bounced around and they are probably a little, if not a lot traumatized.

Each morning when I lift their blankets to check on them and see them bright and alert I feel more confident. I just want to make sure there's nothing else I can do to make it a bit easier on these two.

I think your doing just fine caring for them. As time passes by they will get more adjusted to you hand feeding them. One thing I will suggest, due to them being untrusting, if you do put them into cages I would suggest in doing separate cages to keep them apart if you want any chance of taming them down. Cause sometimes even though they were being good accepting formula, during weaning time that may change as they revert back to how they were before. It's easier if you have a one on one type of deal.

MikeyTN said:

I think your doing just fine caring for them. As time passes by they will get more adjusted to you hand feeding them. One thing I will suggest, due to them being untrusting, if you do put them into cages I would suggest in doing separate cages to keep them apart if you want any chance of taming them down. Cause sometimes even though they were being good accepting formula, during weaning time that may change as they revert back to how they were before. It's easier if you have a one on one type of deal.

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At first I did separate them however the green one was giving me such a hard time at first when I was feeding him and the Gray/Blue one was starting to nibble on Millet I thought for at least this week they could stay together and hopefully the Gray/Blue one would spark the Green one's curiosity to nibble on the Millet as well, so he had something in his crop or something more in his crop between feedings. I've caught him playing with the Millet but not nibble on it yet, however this weekend I do plan on making the split between them in hopes of better socializing them.

By splitting them apart you really would have better luck in socializing them. Yes they could learn from one another to eat, I do that often by having a older bird with the younger ones to teach them to learn how to eat on their own. IF you have a open bottom cage, remove the grate and have food dishes on the bottom of the cage, you'll have better luck getting them to learn how to eat that way. Once fully weaned then you can put the grate back in and just have food in the dishes where they belong.

By putting them in a towel and forcing them to be with you, it's not exactly 'trust building'.


I don't really have any good experience with hand feeding, but is there any way you could try changing the way you are feeding them? Maybe go slower? Wait until they are a little hungrier?

The towel thing does work somewhat!

The feeding part like Monica suggested does work too cause I've done it.

Here's an update.

They are no longer wrapped in the towel but more of sitting on the towel while I help hold them and feed them slowly, as I always have. The gray one is eagerly seeking the syringe now. The green one is trusting easier, will perch on your finger and your shoulder and rest with you. Been working and socializing with both of them and they are both doing well. I'm trying to keep on the good fight with these babies.

So I have bad news. The green Indian Ringneck got his leg caught in the bottom of the cage and from what we can think of flailed around and got himself stuck between the water dish and the cage forcing his crop against his chest because it was a close pinch and he still had food in his crop when he died I feel horrible.

The gray one is doing well however, now looking for the Syringe but still skittish, just working one day at a time.

Sorry to hear you lost one!


Hopefully, there are no further accidents and the last remaining chick thrives.

It's been a while and I'm happy to report that the Gray one is doing wonderful and is weaning and now will step up onto your finger and will cuddle with you. It was a long road but well worth it all.