Feeding Guide By Age 

Feeding is the most critical part of hand rearing budgies. It's where most mistakes happen — and where lives are saved. A budgie chick’s needs change fast depending on its age, size, and development. Here's everything you need to know to feed safely and correctly.

🍼 What You’ll Need

Before you begin feeding, you’ll need a few essential items:

• Hand-rearing formula: Choose a high-quality brand made for parrots or budgies (e.g., Vetafarm, Kaytee Exact, or Passwell).

• Syringe: 1 mL–5 mL syringes with a soft tip or curved feeding needle. Don’t use a spoon or dropper unless experienced.

• Sterile water: To mix formula and clean tools.

• Thermometer: To check formula temperature and brooder temp.

• Clean towel or cloth: To rest the chick on while feeding.

• Brooder or heating pad: To keep the chick warm between feeds.

🌡️ Formula Temperature Matters

The formula must always be warm, never hot or cold. If it's too cold, it won’t digest properly. If it’s too hot, it can burn the crop and kill the chick.

• Ideal temperature: Around 38–41°C (100–105°F)
  Always test the temperature before feeding — place a drop on the inside of your wrist. It should feel warm, not hot.

🕐 How Often to Feed

The number of feedings per day depends on the chick’s age and crop emptying speed. Younger chicks need to be fed more frequently. Here's a general idea:

• 0 to 1 week old: Feed every 2 to 3 hours — including overnight

• 1 to 2 weeks: Every 3 hours — usually 6 to 7 feeds a day

• 2 to 3 weeks: Every 4 hours — 4 to 5 feeds per day

• 3 to 4 weeks: Every 5 hours — 3 to 4 feeds per day

• 4 to 5 weeks: 2 to 3 feeds per day — begin offering soft foods

• 5 to 6 weeks: 1 to 2 feeds per day — most feeding is optional

• 6+ weeks: Should be weaning — formula no longer needed if eating well

Chicks should not be fed again until the crop is mostly or fully empty. Overfilling can cause sour crop, infection, or death.

🧪 How to Mix Formula

1. Read the label on the formula brand you’re using. Ratios can vary.

2. Always mix with pre-boiled, cooled water or sterile water.

3. Stir well until smooth — no lumps!

4. Let it cool slightly to 38–41°C before feeding.

5. Discard any leftover formula after 20–30 minutes — bacteria grows fast.

Never microwave formula in the syringe — it can create hot spots that burn the chick. Warm the water separately, mix, and stir thoroughly.

🤲 How to Feed Safely

1. Wrap the chick gently in a cloth or paper towel, so they stay steady and safe.

2. Hold the chick in an upright position — never feed lying on its back.

3. Insert the syringe from the left side of the beak (your right) and slowly release the formula.

4. Watch the crop fill up — it’s a small pouch at the front of the chest.

5. Stop when the crop is full but not tight or stretched.

Watch carefully during every feeding. If formula goes into the wrong place (the windpipe), the chick can aspirate and die. Go slow and be gentle.

🧼 Hygiene Is Critical

• Wash syringes after every use.

• Use boiled water to mix formula.

• Keep your hands clean and your feeding area sanitized.

• If you’re feeding multiple chicks, use different syringes or sterilize between each chick.

Sick or slow-growing chicks are often the result of poor hygiene — be obsessive about cleanliness.

⚠️ Signs of Feeding Problems

Contact a vet or experienced breeder if you notice any of the following:

• The chick cries constantly or refuses to feed

• Crop does not empty between feeds

• Crop is squishy, smelly, or feels sour

• The chick loses weight or doesn’t grow

• There’s formula coming from the nostrils or beak