Parrotlets can be fed with a spoon or syringe. Ten-day old babies generally take between one and two cc s per feeding, gradually working up to a maximum of six by the age of three weeks. As with any good breeding program, accurate records are a must. Each baby should be closed-banded and all information as to parent identification, date egg was laid, date of hatch, date baby was pulled and medical or veterinary information should be recorded. In addition, babies should be weighed each morning prior to their first feeding so as to monitor gains and losses.
Babies show an interest in solid foods when they are approximately four to five weeks old.
They should be given millet spray, finely chopped fruits, vegetables and greens, whole grain bread, small seeds such as finch and cockatiel, pellets, cooked rice and pasta. The temperature in the brooder is gradually lowered to room temperature as the babies feather out. At about five weeks, they are placed in a large weaning cage with low perches and food is fed on paper plates or small flat dishes placed on the bottom of the cage. By the time the birds are six weeks of age, they are usually completely weaned. It is better to continue feeding a few more days than have a tragedy.