Parents of newborn birds face a challenging situation if their chick does not open its mouth to be fed. Baby birds rely completely on their parents to provide food in the first days and weeks after hatching. If a chick refuses to open its mouth or eat, it could have serious health consequences or even die. As a parent bird, it’s important to understand why a chick might not open its mouth and what can be done to encourage feeding.
Why Might a Chick Not Open Its Mouth?
There are a few key reasons why a baby bird may not open its mouth to be fed:
Stress
Raising young is stressful for parent birds. Unnatural conditions, disturbances, and handling by humans can cause chicks acute stress. High stress levels may inhibit their natural begging and feeding behaviors. Removing causes of stress and providing calmness and comfort is important.
Low Body Temperature
Chicks cannot regulate their own body temperature after hatching. They rely on parent birds to brood them. If a chick becomes chilled from lack of brooding, it may become lethargic and weak. Warming the chick slowly with a brooder or the parent’s body heat may provide the energy needed to beg for food.
Developmental Issues
Birth defects, muscle weakness, gastrointestinal issues, or other medical conditions could affect a chick’s ability to open its mouth and swallow food. Consulting an avian veterinarian can help diagnose underlying issues.
Neglect
Sometimes, parent birds may not properly feed newly hatched chicks. Inexperience, lack of resources, or health issues in parents can cause neglect. Providing supplemental feeding and care may be needed.
What to Do if a Chick Isn’t Opening Its Mouth
If a baby bird is not opening its mouth to be fed, bird owners need to take action right away to help encourage eating. Here are some tips:
Warm the Chick
Use a brooder or your own body heat to gently warm the chick until it is active. Chilling will further weaken it. Do not overheat – watch for panting.
Hydrate the Chick
A dehydrated chick will not beg for food. Use an eyedropper to give it water. Gently open the beak and squeeze drops along the side of the mouth.
Try Different Feeding Techniques
Tap the chick’s beak, wiggle fingers, or gently stroke its throat to stimulate begging. Offer food on fingers, tweezers, or different utensils.
Assist the Parents
Set up a nesting area that makes the parents feel secure and comfortable feeding. Stay nearby to observe feedings and step in if parents are not responsive.
Provide Emergency Hand-feeding
Get advice from an avian vet. Grind up species-appropriate food and slowly syringe-feed. Get help from a rehabber or experienced breeder if needed.
Consult a Vet
Schedule a veterinary visit as soon as possible. Medications, crop feeding tubes, or other treatments may help stabilize the chick.
How Much Time Do You Have to Help a Non-eating Chick?
A baby bird’s survival depends on getting quick nourishment after hatching. Here is a general timeline:
0-2 hours
Focus on rewarming the chick and reuniting it with parents for natural feeding.
2-8 hours
Begin actively assisting feeding with the parents. Provide supplements like hydration and sugar water.
8-24 hours
Hand-feed very small amounts of food every 15-20 minutes if parents cannot feed. Get emergency help from a vet or rehabber.
24+ hours
Seek vet care immediately. The chick is in critical condition and will need medications and intensive supportive care to survive.
The younger the chick, the less time it has to go without food. Quick action in the first day is crucial!
What Are Signs of a Hungry Chick?
Knowing when a baby bird needs to be fed is key. Here are signs to watch for:
- Loud cheeping or peeping noises
- Rapid breathing
- Mouth open with neck stretched up
- Wings fluttering
- Constant begging motions
- Pecking or biting at parents’ beaks
Chicks use these behaviors to signal the parents that they are ready to eat. If you observe these signs but the parents are not feeding, step in to assist.
What Are Signs of Illness in Non-eating Chicks?
Along with refusal to eat, watch for these symptoms of underlying health problems:
- Lethargy/weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Swollen stomach/crop
- Discharge from eyes/nose
- Trembling/seizures
- Irregular feces
Sick chicks need veterinary assessment to diagnose and treat illness, in addition to supportive care like heat, hydration, and assisted feeding. Call your vet immediately if you observe any of the above symptoms.
How Much and How Often Should Chicks Eat?
Baby birds need to eat small amounts of food very frequently in the first days after hatching. Here are some general feeding guidelines:
Hours after Hatching
Age | Amount | Frequency |
---|---|---|
0-24 hours | 1-2 mL | Every 15-20 minutes |
24-72 hours | 3-5 mL | Every 30-45 minutes |
3-7 days | 5-10 mL | Every 1-2 hours |
*Amounts based on songbird-sized chicks
The crop should feel full but not tight after feedings. Adjust amounts based on chick’s weight and crop fullness. Gradual increases in volume will accommodate the growing stomach.
Weeks after Hatching
Parent birds naturally reduce feeding frequency as chicks grow. By 2-3 weeks, they may feed only 6-10 times per day. Chicks also start picking at food in the nest around 7-14 days old. Continue supplementing if parents are not meeting the chick’s needs.
What Kinds of Food Should Be Fed to Baby Birds?
Proper nutrition is vital for growing chicks. Here are some age-appropriate diet options:
Hours after Hatching
– Electrolyte solution
– Diluted maple/corn syrup
– Commercial chick starter formula
– Pureed hard-boiled egg
Days after Hatching
– Mash of feed mixed with water
– Finely chopped greens/sprouts
– Soaked dry cat/dog food
– Diced cooked meat
– Live mealworms
Weeks after Hatching
– Finely chopped fruits/veggies
– Species-specific dry food
– Chopped nuts/seeds
– Insects
– Pellets and greens for young parrots
Consult with an avian vet about the best diet for each species. Meet the chick’s needs for protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
What Are Some Common Hand-feeding Dangers?
When assisting baby birds, improper techniques can be dangerous. Here are hazards to avoid:
- Overfilling the crop – Regurgitation and aspiration can occur
- Underfilling the crop – Leads to dehydration and hypoglycemia
- Feeding too quickly – Risk of aspiration or choking
- Using the wrong food – Can cause digestive upset or malnutrition
- Feeding cold formula – Can cause crop stasis
- Poor hygiene – Bacteria transfer can make chick sick
Go slowly, warm all food, and use proper hand-feeding tools and clean technique. It takes training and practice to hand-raise chicks – always seek guidance if you are inexperienced.
What If a Chick Starts Refusing to Eat Again?
Sometimes a chick will begin eating well then suddenly stop again. If this occurs:
– Check body temperature and rewarm if needed
– Make sure food is being offered at proper temperature
– Try different food textures/formats if boredom is suspected
– Check for oral injuries or developing infections
– Have the chick assessed for underlying illness
– Consider treatment for sour crop if present
Troubleshoot diet and environment. Call your avian vet for an urgent appointment to identify causes. Getting nutrients into the chick should be top priority.
Conclusion
Parent birds have strong natural instincts to care for their chicks after hatching. But there are many factors that can disrupt normal feeding behaviors. As a bird owner, being prepared to step in if a chick stops eating is crucial for its survival. Address stressors, provide warmth, offer fluid and nutrition, and get veterinary help right away. With supportive care and persistence, non-eating chicks can be nursed back to health. Don’t give up! With dedication, most can be rehabilitated to thrive. The future of the vulnerable little life depends on you.