Kaytee exact hand feeding for baby birds

KAYTEE Exact Handfeeding Baby Bird Food, 22-lb pail

By Kaytee

Rated 4.8571 out of 5 stars

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Size

22-lb pail

7.5-oz bag

18-oz jar

5-lb bag

22-lb pail

Size

22-lb pail

7.5-oz bag

18-oz jar

5-lb bag

22-lb pail

$124.99Chewy Price

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About This Item

A balanced, high- nutrient formula that helps babies grow faster, wean earlier and develop better plumage
Added probiotics are specially selected to encourage a healthy population of intestinal microorganisms
Made with Omega-3 fatty acids for healthy heart, brain and eye development
Digestive enzymes ensure proper digestion carbohydrates and proteins
A complete formula that does not require any other added vitamins or mineral supplements

Learn More About Kaytee From Our Team of Experts

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Questions & Answers

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20 Customer Questions

Is this a good food for baby pigeons?

Answer by

Chewy

•

Dec 16, 2020

This product is formulated for use with: Baby Parrots (including Parakeets, Lovebirds, Cockatiels, Conures, Cockatoos, Macaws, Amazons, African Greys, and other Psittacines) and Baby Passerines.

I have successfully used this on baby doves, chickens and finches as early as one day old, so what is in this baby bird food that makes it formulated for hookbills?

Answer by

Chewy

•

Oct 16, 2017

The Baby Formula contains probiotics, prebiotics, digestive enzymes to ensure healthy digestion and a balanced, high- nutrient formula that helps babies grow faster, wean earlier and develop better plumage.

Is it good for baby sparrows

Answer by

Chewy

•

Jul 07, 2019

This food can be used with baby sparrows.

Is this formula good for parakeets? thx! :)

Answer by

Chewy

•

Oct 16, 2017

This formula will work for Parakeets.

4.9

Rated 4.8571 out of 5 stars

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8.9286

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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By Idunno on Jun 19, 2022

formula helpful for omnivores too

Rgregarding other reviews as to not for wild birds or, not for starlings… yes starlings need approx 33%. Protein, but add protein to this, or rather ,add This to protein , as it has the -biotics and enzymes that can help. Wit h any bird consider complete nutritional needs. And consider the specific situation, we don’t always have access to the exact ingredients we want. So we do our best with what we have available.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

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By Hanna on Jul 9, 2022

outdated item

Called the Chewy , about outdated product They said , they would take care of it . GOOD RESPOND !! All their products are always fresh , this was just an over sight would order from them again when i needed too . Good customer responds

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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By Pakeer on Jan 15, 2022

Excellent product and service

Very good prices, easy to buy, high quality, and employees were very accommodating. I will be buying from here again if I can get a wholesale deal. If there is any wholesale deals available, let me know

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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By Rhoneclem028 on Dec 22, 2021

If Mommy can't

If the parents aren't able to care for their babies this is the best way to go. I have used this formula for quite a few babies and they all have done great with this

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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By Smitty on Sep 18, 2021

First experience a total success shopping rexexw5

I was so pleased when my order arrived so quickly. I had run out of food for my baby. I had traveled 40 miles to town to pick some up but stores were all out. I should have placed my order sooner!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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By Sandee on Oct 19, 2021

I love shopping at Chewy

Can’t get a better price, great quality and very efficient with delivery.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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By pigeonpete on Sep 11, 2021

Kaytee Exact Hand Feeding Formula Baby Bird Food

Kaytee Exact Hand Feeding Formula Baby Bird Food is the standard the business

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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By Catwoman06 on Sep 8, 2021

Baby Bird Formula

Very good value.. Baby birds grow very fast and look very healthy on this food

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

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By MickeyNz on Jan 22, 2021

Not appropriate for ALL baby birds - Insectivorous or Omnivorous Wild birds.

Hi there, Baby Starlings & Sparrows need a baby diet high in animal protein. Yes as adults they also eat seed but to develop as nestlings & fledglings they need a diet 33% and higher in animal protein. Kaytee is only 22% protein and its from plants. Your rescue baby starling and sparrow needs more than that. Check back of cat or dog biscuits - first ingredient needs to be chicken and check the percentage of protein. Soak in hot water and mush it up completely like porridge so the baby doesn't have blockages in its corp when you feed it. Needs calcium and bird vitamins as well, not just protein but that will get you far!. I do recommend Kaytee for Pet Parrots etc and the ones that it mentions on the back of the package.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

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By CBMorgan on Feb 13, 2021

No sugar added!

I haven’t used this yet, but it was the only hand feeding formula that has good mixing consistency (per reviews) that surprisingly does not contain added sugar! Though I have read many people complaining about Kaytee in general, their formula is as complete as you could hope for considering today’s pet-feeding standards, and is not grainy like Harrison’s, and a fraction of the price.

KAYTEE Exact Hand Feeding High Fat Formula Baby Bird Food, 5-lb bag

By Kaytee

Rated 4.8077 out of 5 stars

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$37.99Chewy Price

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This Item - Kaytee Exact Hand Feeding High Fat Formula Baby Bird Food, 5-lb bag

Rated 4.8077 out of 5 stars

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Buy 3, Get 4th Free- Mix & Match

Kaytee Supreme Parakeet Food, 25-lb bag

Rated 4.5758 out of 5 stars

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$27.95Chewy Price

Higgins inTune Hand Feeding Hi-Energy Bird Food, 5-lb bag

$29.07Chewy Price

Total Price: $0.00

About This Item

A balanced, high- nutrient formula that has 75% more fat than the original formula to support chick growth
Added probiotics are specially selected to encourage a healthy population of intestinal microorganisms
Made with Omega-3 fatty acids for healthy heart, brain and eye development
Digestive enzymes ensure proper digestion carbohydrates and proteins
A complete formula that does not require any other added vitamins or mineral supplements

Learn More About Kaytee From Our Team of Experts

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Kaytee Exact Handfeeding Baby Bird Food, 18-oz jar
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Questions & Answers

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3 Customer Questions

Would this be suitable for a baby cardinal?

Answer by

Chewy

•

May 11, 2022

This Bird Food is suitable for Baby Parrots (including Parakeets, Lovebirds, Cockatiels, Conures, Cockatoos, Macaws, Amazons, African Greys, and other Psittacines) and Baby Passerinos.

can i feed the mother of lovebirds babies, so she can feed them

Answer by

Chewy

•

Feb 26, 2019

This high-nutrient formula that has 75% more fat than the original formula was designed to be hand fed to baby birds.

If I order now what will be their expiration date?

Answer by

Chewy

•

Mar 11, 2018

Every expiration date will be different for each bag, as different batches are constantly being produced. The expiration date will be stamped on the back of the bag.

4.8

Rated 4.8077 out of 5 stars

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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By Joser on Sep 30, 2021

First timer

Being my first time ordering from chewy, it was a great experience got my baby bird formula quick and on time best experience ever definitely ordering from here for all my animals all 80 of them

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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By Kaydon on Nov 8, 2021

Babies are growing fast

I am feeding 4 baby parrotlets with this and they are thriving. Should be weaned in a couple weeks.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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By Sassy on Nov 3, 2021

Perfect as always

Product is always good and the personnel are a pleasure to talk to. Thanks Chewy!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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By Help on Jun 17, 2021

Babiesbirbs

I have been using this formula for about 2 1/2 weeks now for finches and they enjoy it. They are developing wonderfully and are full of life.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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By Monkey on Jun 15, 2021

Hight recommendation Exact handfeeding formula

Keep your babes birds happy and healthy with this product !! Thank you

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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By Leslie on Mar 29, 2021

Happy Cockatiels

Our cockatiels thrive with this great handfeeding product.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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By mamaduck on Oct 19, 2020

Chewy always comes through!!

I had an issue with my first delivery (manufacturer, certainly not Chewy's fault) but Chewy fixed it immediately. As always their customer service is friendly, cheerful, and delivery is swift.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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By KimSnowden on Aug 31, 2020

My babies love it.

My babies love it and it helps them grow as they should.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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By Freddy on May 8, 2020

very satisfied

My baby bird loves this formula ! I’m about to order a second bag ! Thank you so much for the great deals and amazing customer service!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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By bullies on Apr 7, 2020

Thanks Chewy!!

When I was unable to source my handfeeding food locally, i ordered from chewy, it was less expensive, fresher and so convenient! I'll never be out of baby food again! Thanks Chewy.

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diet in the first days of life, chicken feed norms

The diet of chickens, especially small ones, is different from the diet of adult chickens. Many breeders who raise chickens in the household are interested in how and what to feed the chicks so that they develop properly.

For healthy growth, chickens require a balanced diet in sufficient quantities. The composition of the products depends on the direction and age of the chicks.

Content:

What does a healthy chicken diet consist of?
General rules for formulating diets
What to feed chickens?
General rules for feeding
Feed for chicks of all ages
Feeding frequency
Feeding Features
Farmer's Councils

What does healthy chicks eat?

Sources of proteins, vitamins, micro and macro elements are products of plant and animal origin, as well as substances synthesized in the laboratory. For the production of finished formulations in the factory, only high-quality proven raw materials are used. In feed for laying hens and broilers are introduced:

amino acids,
vitamins,

minerals,

probiotics,
antioxidants,
prebiotics,
coccidiostats,
mold inhibitors.

It is quite difficult to independently calculate the proportions and mix the components thoroughly without the appropriate equipment.

General dietary guidelines

The terms of growing meat breeds are 1.5-2 months, laying hens - up to six months. During this time, the bird should gain weight of 2.5-3 kg. To accelerate the growth of muscle mass in broilers, it is recommended to use specialized feed. It fully meets the needs of the bird in proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. The composition and consumption of feed should be appropriate for the age of the chicks.

At 1-2 weeks of life, the foundation of the skeleton is laid in chickens, muscle mass increases at an average pace. At this time, it is necessary to introduce a sufficient amount of proteins, fiber, and mineral components into their diet.

In the growth phase, chickens are gaining weight intensively. They need as many amino acids and proteins as possible, which act as a building material for cells, as well as complex carbohydrates. The dose of vitamins and minerals received with food is increased.

At the finishing stage, the amount of carbohydrates is reduced so that the broilers gain more muscle mass, and not fat. At this stage, it is important to prevent weight loss. For these purposes, finishing compound feed is introduced into the diet.

What to feed chickens?

Cereals form the basis of the diet.

Corn	One of the most useful and nutritious ingredients. Corn is the leader among grains in terms of protein content, while it contains less fiber than other cereals. The product is easily digested and well absorbed.
oats	Source of many amino acids. It is considered a dietary product, but contains a lot of fiber. In large quantities, it causes blockage of the intestines, so its share in the composition of the feed does not exceed 20%. Oats are given in a purified form, completely removing the film from the grains. The size of the fraction depends on the age of the bird. Sifted oatmeal is usually added to prestarter formulations.
Wheat	Contains a large amount of vitamin E, B. Feed wheat is usually used in bird feed. The percentage can be up to 30%.
Rye	It is a source of a number of useful proteins, but contains too much mucus, which negatively affects the digestive system of chickens. It is added to some feeds in small quantities.
Barley	Practically not inferior to oats in useful properties, but also contains a lot of fiber. It is introduced into the composition only in a purified and sifted form.
Buckwheat	Despite the fact that the product contains components useful for poultry, it is rarely used. Basically, it is added to granulated feed, because. in loose form, chickens do not peck it.
Bran	Products of processing grain crops are introduced to increase the caloric content of the diet. By themselves, they have no nutritional value, so they are rarely used.

Peeled vegetables are used as succulent feed.

Potato	Improves poultry digestion, promotes the absorption of nutrients. It is introduced in boiled dehydrated form. In the process of preparing food, it is unacceptable to use green potatoes, since poisonous solanine has formed in them.
Beet	It normalizes the work of the intestines, prevents its blockage, provides the needs of chickens for vitamin B2, carotene, sugar. It can be given both fresh and boiled. The content of beets in the diet is about 15%.
Pumpkin	It contains a lot of vitamins and microelements. The product is added in an amount not exceeding 15% of the total volume.

Protein components provide the daily requirement for amino acids. Protein sources are also rich in vitamins and minerals. They can be of plant and animal origin. Amino acids are well absorbed by the body. Animal proteins are obtained from various types of flour:

fish. This product makes up to 8% of the diet, but is not used in broiler feed so that the meat does not have a specific smell;
bone. In terms of the amount of proteins, it is not inferior to cereals, and at the same time it is rich in fats (11%) and vitamins A and E. It is given to chickens from a month old;
blood. The product is rich in essential amino acids, but in high concentrations it provokes indigestion. Its share in the diet should not exceed 4%;
feather. This component is used as an available source of protein to balance the feed composition. It is added in small amounts (up to 2%).

Dairy products are also a source of well-digestible animal protein: cottage cheese or whey. Their inclusion in feed mixtures for laying hens increases the egg production and fertility of chickens.

Legumes are richest in vegetable proteins:

soy is practically not inferior to animal products in terms of percentage and qualitative composition of proteins and amino acids, it also contains vitamins and minerals;
peas also provide the protein requirements of poultry, although to a lesser extent; chickens do not eat it well because of the specific smell and taste, therefore, no more than 10% is introduced into the feed;
soybean and sunflower meal and cake are an inexpensive, highly digestible source of amino acids. In compositions for adult chickens, their share is 15-17%, for chickens and young animals - 10%.

General feeding rules

Each individual should consume approximately 15-30 g of food per day: how much depends on the breed, weight of the chicks, and the intensity of their development. In general, the amount of feed each time should be such that the young hens will eat it in 30 or 40 minutes. The remains must be removed from the feeders so as not to deteriorate, and the feeders themselves must be washed and dried.

If the chicks do not eat the feed given to them often, then its rate should be reduced. If, on the contrary, the food is eaten quickly, then it is desirable to increase its volume.

Feed for chicks of all ages

PC-2	Designed for chicks under 7 weeks old. It is produced in the form of finely ground grains, designed for an insufficiently unformed digestive system, easily digestible, contains all the useful trace elements.
PC-3	Balanced mix for young animals 8-20 weeks old. Promotes rapid growth and proper formation of the reproductive system. It is produced in the form of grains with medium-sized fractions.
PC-5	Designed for broiler chickens from 2 weeks to 1 month of age. It consists of a complex of easily digestible components that stimulate a set of muscle mass.
PC-6	It has similar characteristics, but is designed for broilers older than a month.

All types of feed can be divided into three groups:

carbohydrate	Protein	Vitamin
Promote accelerated growth and muscle mass gain. Their composition is dominated by cereals and vegetables. Chickens digest foods high in carbohydrates well, which cause a slowdown in metabolism and rapid weight gain. Such feeds are designed for broilers and increase the average carcass weight.	Such compound feeds are developed mainly for laying hens. A large amount of protein increases the productivity of the bird, improves the palatability of the eggs, and makes the shell stronger.	Strengthen the immune system, help to survive the winter period. Usually produced in the form of concentrates, which enrich the main diet.

According to the form of release, the compositions are of 2 types.

Loose ones consist of fine-grained components. The disadvantage of such compositions is that they are worse absorbed. The chicken chooses tasty crumbs from the feed, and the less appetizing ingredients are thrown away. As a result, the bird receives less nutrients. In addition, a lot of dust remains in the feeder. However, it is impossible to completely abandon loose compositions. Chickens in the first weeks of life are not able to swallow and digest large granules, therefore they can peck only small grains. For broilers, loose compound feed can be introduced into the diet from the first days of life, and for laying hens - from the second week. When using dry mixes, it is important to provide the hens with sufficient drinking water.

Expanded feed is produced by short-term heat treatment under high pressure. Nutrient mixtures are in the form of granules and contain liquid components in their composition. The advantages of expanded compositions include:

neutralization of pathogenic microflora (Salmonella, Escherichia coli) and mold spores due to exposure to high temperatures;

However, when heated, some of the vitamins are destroyed.

Feeding frequency

The first time chickens are fed on the same day they are born. Then, until the age of 7 days, the chicks of meat breeds are fed 6-8 times a day, from the 2nd week of life - 6 times, from the 3rd - 4 times a day, by the age of one month, chickens are fed three times a day. Chicks of egg breeds up to 1.5 weeks are fed 5-6 times a day, and by the month they are gradually transferred to 3 meals a day.

When choosing a mixture, it is recommended to give preference to complete formulations. However, if the breeder has enough of his own food, you can limit yourself to concentrated additives to enrich it. Such compositions are marked with the QC marking. Concentrates for meat and egg-bearing breeds solve different problems:

for broilers	for laying hens
reduce the percentage of marriage in the livestock, increase the average daily weight gain, strengthen the skeleton, promote the growth of muscle tissue, not fat, improve the taste characteristics of meat	prevent joint deformities, prevent pen loss, increase the number and size of eggs, increase shell hardness, improves the nutritional quality of eggs, increase hatchability of chicks

It is unacceptable to use concentrates as the main feed, since an excess of nutrients is no less harmful than their deficiency. BVMB is introduced into the composition of the mash, taking into account the age of the chickens.

Feeding considerations

1st day of life	Feeding of chickens of egg breeds begins immediately after they dry out. The first food for newborn chickens should be a hard-boiled egg. It is cut as small as possible so that the chicks can swallow small crumbs and roll it in semolina to prevent pieces from sticking to the paws and fluff. In the brooder where they are, they put a drinker with clean, boiled and cooled water. Newly hatched chicks are also fed boiled eggs under the brood hen.
2nd day	On the 2nd day, the chicks are already given a mash of eggs and homemade low-fat fresh cottage cheese (the ratio of ingredients is 1 to 1). The formula for feeding day-old chicks should be fresh and fed every 3 hours.
Week 1	From the 3rd day, chickens are fed with a more varied mixture of cottage cheese, boiled eggs, crumbly porridge from corn, oat or wheat chips (the share of cereals should be 65%). Finely chopped greens and boiled red carrots grated on a fine grater are added to them. You can give germinated grain or grass flour at the rate of 2-3 g per chicken per day. More than 5 g of such flour cannot be fed due to the high content of fiber in it. Separately, a little skimmed milk or yogurt is poured into the container; it is better not to add them to the mixers. Twice a week, a few crystals of potassium permanganate are added to the water so that it becomes slightly pink. Keep it in drinkers for no more than 0.5 hours, and then replace it with clean water. This protects chickens from stomach diseases. You can feed the chicks with special industrial compound feed for chickens from the first days of life. It is made up of products that are easily absorbed by the body of small chickens and fully satisfy all their needs.
2-4 weeks	From 1.5 weeks of life, a little sunflower or soybean meal (3-4% of the total food volume), chalk or shells, bone meal (5-7% of the feed amount or 2-3 g per 1 chick). Particles of top dressing should not be more than 1-2 mm. Very fine gravel or sand washed in water is placed in a separate container. After 10 days, eggs are removed from the diet, but other components are introduced, for example, root crops (boiled potatoes, etc.). Salt, rice, rye, wheat bran (up to 10%), herbal flour (6-10%) are introduced into the menu of two-week-old chickens. From 3 weeks old, chicks gradually begin to accustom themselves to whole grains.
1 month	At this age, the young are already quite strong, they can spend time walking, where they independently find greenery, seeds of various plants, worms and beetles. If the birds are in a closed aviary and cannot pluck the grass, then they need to be given it along with grain and vegetables. In general, the share of green grass in the diet of one-month-old young animals should be about 1/3 part, no less. Grain can be given both ground and whole: the birds are already able to peck it. It can be anything: wheat, barley, corn, oats, etc. At this age, legumes can also be fed: peas, chickpeas, small beans, etc. In addition to grain products, you can feed root crops, fresh or boiled, to monthly chickens, vegetables from the garden and their tops, kitchen waste of both plant and animal origin, bran, meal and cake, compound feed. From mineral additives - bone and fish meal, chalk or lime, shell rock, salt. In addition to food, young animals should always have clean water in drinking bowls and pebbles that the bird needs for normal digestion.

Chickens of meat breeds differ from egg breeds in that they need more complete proteins and vitamins, so their diet should be tailored to this feature. Therefore, it is necessary to give more protein feed, such as legumes (grains and green mass), meat and bone and fish meal, fresh kitchen waste. It should also be borne in mind that they eat more, so they need to be fed more often, especially in the first days of life.