feeding my baby

Question
I just got a baby cockatoo to hand feed.  I am to fill the crop and how often and with what.  I am confused i have done this before but has been some time now, please advise me.

Answer
Hi, Susan.  Thanks for posting your question.

Hopefully, you didn't buy this bird not knowing what you were getting yourself into.  I recommend you start educating yourself on these birds, as they REQUIRE much human attention.  And there's a right way and a wrong way to handfeed a baby bird.  If you do not know what you are doing, you can kill this baby in a matter of minutes.  If you can contact a local pet shop, avian veterinarian, or breeder, I'd suggest you do so asking for immediate help in teaching you what you need to do with this baby.  

It depends on how old the baby cockatoo is.  The bird's age determines how often, when, etc., it should be fed.  Send this information back ASAP and I'll help you.  If you do not know age and can't find out, tell me EXACTLY what the bird looks like, as in is it bald, does it have any feathers and if yes, where.  Tell me in inches how big it is (without tail and with tail), tell me how big it's beak is (1", 2", 1/2").  Do you know what kind of too it is (umbrella, moluccan, goffin, rosella, sulfur crested, etc.)?

In the meantime, you need to go to a pet shop (PetSmart, Jack's Aquarium, or parrot breeder, etc.) that sells baby parrot handfeeding formula (don't get the kind for feeding macaws...get the regular).  I use Kaytee Exact, but Pretty Bird sells this, as well as several other companies.  You will also need a thermometer to test the temperature of the formula (something you can insert into hot liquid, like an aquarium thermometer or meat thermometer), depending on the too's size you'll need a medium and large handfeeding syringe (should have at the pet shop) or some people feed with a spoon made especially for handfeeding large parrots again depending on the age of the baby, and depending on the age you might need weaning food as well as dishes, etc., depending on age.  Depending on age, you might need a heating pad or brooder or something to keep the too warm at all times, etc.  

I really need to know AGE to help you further, but some of the above applies at any age.  

Chrys