How to Give a Chick Safety and Trust
You'd almost forget it, but every large parrot starts small. Very small. So small that the body doesn't have any feathers yet, and sometimes only a little down is visible. Their eyes are just open when they're about 14 days old, while the world still seems vast, cold, and strange. Like this tiny golden conure, safely nestled against the cup of a caring hand.
In the wild, a chick belongs with its parents. There it receives warmth, food, and security. But that's not all. Parents also teach their young how to be a bird. They pass on social skills that are essential for later life: how to express yourself, how to communicate with others, and how to recognize and respect boundaries.
Yet, sometimes things don't work out. Sometimes we have to intervene, not because we want to, but because, unfortunately, there's no other option. Parents don't feed their young (enough), there are too many chicks in one nest, or one parent dies, making the care unsustainable. In such situations, the responsibility falls on us humans.
But let there be no misunderstanding:
a parrot doesn't have to be taken out of the nest to become tame. Even birds that were raised with their parents and only come into contact with people around or after they became independent can develop a warm bond with their caregiver. It's not an "either-or," but rather a both-and... growing up naturally and a loving, tame bird.
A bird that is not only tame, but also allowed to be itself.
Responsibility: warmth, food, and care
More often than you think, care and hygiene are crucial. Here's what you really need to know:
Heating cabinet: Maintaining a precise temperature isn't easy: too cold weakens the chick, too warm makes it burn energy.
Nutrition: Prepare baby food precisely, the right consistency, the right temperature, freshly prepared for each feeding. An incorrect mixture, too fatty or too lean, can be fatal.
Weight and leg position: weigh daily and check for straddle. Early intervention prevents problems later on. Syringe vs. Spoon: Syringe feeding can be dangerous in the wrong hands
Syringe vs. Spoon: Which is safest?
Spoon preferred
Research and practical experience show that a prepared spoon, often a metal or silver spoon with a raised edge, is preferred.
The biggest advantage is that it offers a gentle touch without pressure, and you can feel exactly how much food is being taken. Because every bird is different, just a little bigger, a little more delicate, a little more active, and that's reflected in their feeding.
And importantly, the chick latches on and unconsciously stimulates the mother's beak, a trigger that is mentally triggered. I compare it to a baby and the pacifier versus the nipple.
That's why I personally think that a standard size, for example, 10 cc, is too standardized a size for this.
Syringe with risks
A syringe, especially in inexperienced hands, can accidentally go too deep, causing food to enter the trachea or lungs and cause aspiration. This can lead to choking or serious pneumonia. Even small amounts of air or food can be toxic.
Professional Techniques
Experienced growers sometimes use a soft, flexible tube attached to a syringe to feed more deeply and safely, but this requires training. Experts advise only doing this if you are experienced and have mastered a good method!
A gentle start: what really matters in the first weeks
When working with a young chick, safety and knowledge are key.
A soft surface (such as a turquoise towel) provides grip and comfort.
Let the chick feel safe in your hand.
Gently scratch its head, if it allows it, and speak softly.
Use a spoon if possible; only syringe under expert supervision.
Weigh daily; check the legs.
Carefully plan feedings and keep the warming box stable.
Why it all matters
These first weeks lay the foundation for a healthy, confident bird that trusts your hands. It's about:
Physical health: proper temperature and nutrition prevent complications such as aspiration and growth retardation.
Emotional bond: gentle touch and sounds create comfort and trust.
Long-term health: daily weight monitoring and leg checks prevent later problems such as straddling.
Practical checklist
Warm box at the correct temperature (consult a specialist).
Daily checks: weight, leg position, breathing. Feed your baby exactly as instructed, fresh, and body-warm.
Use a spoon; avoid syringe feeding unless you are proficient at this.
Gently scratch the head, allowing the chick to touch you.
Support yourself: share your doubts and questions with another caregiver or veterinarian.
The emotional side: recognition and support
Caring for a baby chick isn't just practical. It's deeply moving.
Allow yourself to feel what you're feeling. Seek support if you have questions from other caregivers in your network or a veterinarian. You do everything for that little life. And that deserves respect.
Finally,
The little moments are the big moments. When they snuggle up to your hand, when they remain calm during weighing or feeding, when they close their eyes in your presence.
Would you like to know more about this phase if necessary?
I'm happy to help. Resources and background information
Spoon feeding preferred for safety and tamer contactHome - Hagen Avicultural Research Institute
Spray feeding carries risks of aspiration and pneumonia
Experienced breeders who use tube feeding emphasize expertise
Love, Malenthe
