Proven Ways to Feed a Baby Finch

If you have a breeding pair of finches, chances are they will abandon their young in the nest or simply nudge them out of the nest. I have found countless finch babies laying on the floor of my finch aviary over the years. I suspect this is the way a finch disposes of imperfection or perhaps the parents just don't want to be parents. After all, they can't put their young up for adoption or let the grandparents raise it!

Some younger finches don't know what to do when their chicks hatch out of the eggs and are sitting in the nest crying for food or warmth. The parents simply respond to this by nudging or throwing them out of the nest. You know...that thing we wish we could do sometimes do when our kids won't hush! However, most finch parents do eventually catch on and figure out how to raise their chicks. Zebra and Society finches make excellent parents.

Whether you believe this or not, finches are likely to experience stress just like humans. They don't understand why you might check the nest on a daily basis to see if the eggs have hatched. If there are several in the same aviary or cage they may compete for territory. Overbreeding can also be stressful. If you see them sitting on eggs non-stop but chicks never hatch then the eggs may not be fertile. Take the nest away and let the birds rest for a couple of months.

Now... if you happen to see a chick on the floor, return it to the nest. Watch the chick from afar to see if the parent nudge it out again. There have been times when I've put the chick back in the nest and the parents begin to feed it. Then again there are other times when they just don't want it. Rather than subjecting the chick to multiple rejections, I would take it out of the aviary after it is rejected the second time. Roll up a cotton sock into a sock ball. Use your thumb to make a divot in the sock. I place the sock on top of a heating pad with a low setting. I usually put this in a box with sides in case the chick accidentally falls out. Next I place the chick in the sock ball divot in a box under a small table lamp. I place a light weight handkership over the top of the box (not touching the chick) to shield the chick from the bright light. He gets some light but not harsh light. This should keep the chick nice and toasty.

To feed the chick you will need to get some baby bird food from the pet store. The clerks at any pet store will help you find this. Because finches are so small and don't eat much, take some out and put in a baggie for immediate use and put the rest in the freezer. It will keep a very long time this way. I put a pinch of the food into a tablespoon. I use a medicine dropper to put drops of warm water on the food. I use a toothpick to stir the food to an applesauce consistency. Sometimes I try to hold the chick between my thumb and forefinger to feed it but often times the way he's laying in the sock ball is good enough so I don't pick it up.

Tear off the end of the toothpick so it's not pointy. Use the blunt end and dip it into the food. Touch the toothpick to the chick's beak. He may only get a tiny bit on his beak. Try this again. After two or three tries, let the chick rest. It's very tiring for him to try and figure out what this foreign object is going next to his mouth. After about 30 minutes, try again. It will only take once or twice of him actually swallowing some of the baby food before he realizes he should open his mouth and take the food. They don't eat very much and usually stop when they are full. Do not reuse the food. Make a new mixture each feeding.

Since finches are not birds you can bond with and hold, I try to touch them very little. I feed the bird from the sock ball as long as he will allow. If he survives, and hops or flies out of the sock ball divot, he's ready to join the others and can fend for himself.

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8 Proven Ways on Feeding Your Rabbit

Feeding your rabbits is fun. Through this way, you may also bond with your pet rabbits. Rabbits are great chewers and would chew almost anything their mouth would get. Rabbits like humans need proper diet too to have a long and healthy life. Too much of everything can cause health problems. Feeding your rabbits will depend on how they will live their life. Rabbits do need nutrients and vitamins as well as minerals they could get form the food they eat.

Feeding your rabbits means a balanced diet. You should see to it that what you feed them is right both with the kinds and amount. Some food could also make them very sick or worse could even poison them. Rabbit owner / breeders should be aware on what they are feeding with their pet rabbits.

In feeding your rabbits, make sure you give them food rich in fiber. Fiber is one of the important nutrients your pet rabbit needs. By feeding your rabbit the right kind of food, you are giving them long and happy life with you. Pregnant rabbits have different diets compare to newborn and aged rabbits.

Here are some important reminders regarding feeding your rabbits:

1. Timothy hay and oats should be given in an unlimited amount. These foods will help your pet rabbit's digestion.

2. Veggies play a big role in your pet rabbit's diet. Feed them veggies regularly.

3. Give your pet rabbits a cup of pellets daily. If you have pregnant rabbit, you must give her extra cup daily to nourish her body and so as her litters.

4. Fruits are great treats. Give these to your pet rabbit as reward every time he do his pooping business well.

5. Do not be tempted to feed your pet rabbits with any human sweets. These may be delicious and tasty but these are very poisonous for them and could kill them instantly.

6. Give your pet rabbit fresh and clean water. Rabbits love to drink fluids so make sure they are drinking clean water. Always check their water bottles if you need to refill or change the water on it.

7. Never give your pet rabbit any softwood shavings such as cedar and pine.

8. Fruit juice is also not allowed.

Feed your pet rabbit right. They are much like us that also need proper diet and right kinds of food. Make sure that whatever you are going to feed to your pet rabbits, see to it that all of these are approved by your vet and if these are safe for your pet rabbits.

Anthony Carle is a rabbit expert. Do You Want To Know How To Take Care Of Your Pet Rabbit & Build Great Friendship With Her? Discover more information about Feeding Your Rabbit, visit http://www.petrabbitcaresecrets.com.

Pet Health Care Basics - The 3 Best and Proven Methods For Getting Pets to Take Pills

Have you ever tried to give your pet a pill?

Sure can be tricky...and scary too!

But when your pet is sick, it often has to be done. That's all part of pet heath care.

Next time you have to give your pet a pill, here are the 3 best, proven methods and some tips and tricks for each to make the job easier - for both you and your pet!

Method 1. Encapsulate the pill in food. If the medication can be taken with food, this is generally your best bet. The best foods for dogs are butter, cheese, cream cheese, peanut butter, lunchmeat, liverwurst, bread, and bacon. For cats, butter, tuna, cream cheese, baby food, and canned cat food work well. Liverwurst works for cats too.

Experiment with different foods until you find something your pet likes and always praise them when you give it to them. With the right combination, your pet may actually look forward to pill time.

Use a small bite-size amount of food. Don't bury the pill in your pet's full meal portion because if he doesn't finish it, he may not get the medication.

It's often a good idea to occasionally give your pet the food without the pill, so he gets used to eating it quickly. What you want is for your pet to gulp it down without a second thought.

Method 2. Grind up the pill and blend it into some moist food. Again, ensure that the medication can be taken with food. Also, check with your vet to make sure crushing is OK. The crushed pill will dissolve much faster in your pet's stomach and some medications are intended to be digested slowly.

The best foods are those that are a little sticky and have a strong flavor of their own. These include cream cheese, butter, peanut butter, liverwurst, and honey. Again, use only a small portion size.

You can have your pet lick the food containing the ground medication off of your finger, or you can put it in their food dish, or spread it on a treat you already know they like.

Again, experiment until you find something your pet really likes and occasionally give them some of the food between pills. Praise them lavishly whenever you give them the food, making it seem like they are getting a special treat.

Method 3. Feed the pill to your pet directly. Use this approach if the pill must be given on an empty stomach or if the pet won't accept the pill hidden in their food. Be careful though, as some pets can react badly to having the pill force-fed to them. With cats, it is generally a good idea to wrap them in a towel to protect against getting scratched.

First, tilt your pet's head back slightly, then carefully open their mouth and place the pill in the back part of their mouth. Gently hold their mouth closed and slowly stroke them on their throat or blow on their nose until they swallow the pill. With cats, it is a good idea to follow the pill with a small amount of water given from an eyedropper or syringe (no needle please). This helps them to swallow the pill and protects against the pill abrading their esophagus. Always be calm and gentle. This will help your pet remain calm.

Whatever method you use to administer the pill, always check to make sure your pet has swallowed it. Pets can be pretty clever in disposing of the pill when you aren't looking, so never just assume it went down.

Important: Learning how to administer pills is an important part of pet health care. Find a method that works for your pet and always make sure your pet gets his or her meds on time every time. As a pet owner, that is your responsibility.

The health of you pet is important. They are members of your family too! All natural, holistic pet health care products and supplements are an excellent way to keep your pet happy and healthy at all stages of their lives. Check out some of the great all natural pet health care products available at http://www.PetHealthEtcetera.com.