Hand-Feeding Schedule Calculator
Per-feeding amount, frequency, formula consistency, and weaning windows — calculated from chick age, weight, and species.
Hand-Feeding Schedule Generator
Get the per-feeding amount, frequency, formula consistency, and weaning window for any parrot chick.
Day 7 feeding plan
Feedings / day
8
Per feeding
4 ml
Daily total
32 ml
Consistency: Thin (15% solids).
Eyes still closed for most species. Frequent crop checks before each feeding.
Expect to fully wean a cockatiel between 7–9 weeks. Target fledge weight ≈ 80 g.
| Age (days) | Feedings / day | % body weight | Consistency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–2 | 10 | 5% | Very thin (10% solids) |
| 3–7 | 8 | 10% | Thin (15% solids) |
| 8–14 | 6 | 12% | Pancake batter (20–25% solids) |
| 15–21 | 5 | 12% | Thick batter (25–30% solids) |
| 22–35 | 4 | 10% | Thick batter (30% solids) |
| 36–60 | 3 | 8% | Thick (30% solids) |
| 61–120 | 2 | 6% | Thick — supplemental only |
Conservative starting points only. Always weigh chicks at the same time each day, monitor crop emptying, and consult an avian vet if a chick stops gaining weight or refuses feedings.
Free forever for up to 10 birds — no credit card required
Hand-feeding fundamentals
Hand-feeding is a daily routine of weighing, mixing, and feeding chicks at body temperature on a tightening schedule. The calculator above gives you starting amounts scaled to the chick's current weight, but every chick is an individual and adjustments based on weight gain matter more than hitting an average.
Three rules cover most success: weigh every morning before the first feed, never feed a chick whose crop has not emptied, and always check formula temperature with a probe thermometer. Crop burns from hot formula and crop stasis from cold formula are the two most common preventable causes of death in hand-fed chicks.
Use the schedule as a guide, not a rule. A chick that is still demanding food after a full feeding may need more frequent meals; a chick refusing food is signalling something wrong long before clinical signs appear.
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