Collection: Hand-rearing feed and accessories

Hand-Feeding Formula & Accessories: Safe Rearing from the Very Beginning

Hand-rearing bird chicks is one of the most demanding tasks in bird keeping. Whether it is a planned rearing in breeding, an orphaned or rejected chick, or a sick adult bird that needs supplemental feeding – in all these situations, you need reliable hand-feeding formula and the right equipment. In this category, you will find both: proven rearing formulas from leading brands as well as the appropriate accessories for safe feeding.

And just as importantly: you will find a contact partner here. Behind the Dr. Bürkle Shop stands 45 years of experience in bird keeping and breeding. If you are unsure, for example during your first hand-rearing or in an emergency situation, please feel free to contact us by phone. Especially when rearing chicks, small mistakes can have major consequences, and a quick consultation is always better than just trying your luck.

What is Hand-Feeding Formula and When Do You Need It?

Hand-feeding formula is a specially developed, complete food in powder form that is mixed with warm water to form a mash. It is tailored to the needs of growing chicks: easily digestible, high in energy, and packed with all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals required for growth, plumage, and bone development.

Typical Use Cases:

• Planned hand-rearing in breeding, for instance, to obtain particularly tame young birds or to secure valuable clutches
• Emergencies: orphaned, rejected chicks, or those not sufficiently fed by their parents
• Supplemental feeding of weak nestlings that are lagging behind in the clutch
• Nurturing sick or weakened adult birds that are temporarily unable to feed independently

Nutribird & Tropican: The Proven Formulas in Comparison

We offer the two established hand-feeding formula lines that breeders in German-speaking countries have trusted for years:

Nutribird A19 & A21 (Versele-Laga)

Nutribird rearing formulas differ primarily in their energy and fat content. Nutribird A21 is the standard formula for most parakeet and parrot chicks. Nutribird A19 is more energy-dense and is suitable for species with higher fat requirements, traditionally macaws, African greys, and cockatoos. Which formula is right for your chick therefore depends primarily on the bird species.

Tropican Hand-Feeding Formula (Hari)

Tropican Hand-Feeding Formula is the rearing formula developed by Hari (Hagen Avicultural Research Institute) and is used across various species for parrot chicks. It can be mixed into a very fine texture and is also a reliable companion during the transition to solid food.

The Right Accessories for Hand-Feeding

Good formula alone is not enough; the feeding technique determines success:

• Disposable syringes in various sizes (up to 60 ml with catheter tip) are the standard tool for mash feeding. They allow precise dosing and can be hygienically replaced after each feeding.
• Crop needles/gavage tubes allow experienced keepers and breeders to feed directly into the crop, for example with very young chicks or when administering medication and food to sick birds. Important: Gavage feeding requires proper training. Have an experienced breeder or an avian veterinarian show you the technique before attempting it yourself.
• Syringe attachment cannulas complete the equipment for hygienic, repeatable feeding.

📌 Particularly practical for beginners: Our Breeder Set with Hand-Feeding Formula, Crop Needle, and Syringes – the essential basic equipment in one package.

To support the sensitive digestion of chicks, we also stock Ac-i-prim Lactobacilli (probiotic gut support) and Gladiator Plus to strengthen the organism during challenging phases.

The Most Important Basic Rules of Hand-Rearing

A few points from decades of practical experience that make the difference between success and failure:

• Temperature is critical: The formula should be fed lukewarm (usually around 37-40°C / 98-104°F, please follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific formula). Formula that is too hot can cause severe crop burns, while formula that is too cold is poorly digested and can lead to crop stasis. A thermometer is therefore part of the basic equipment.
• Strictly maintain hygiene: Freshly mixed formula for every feeding, thoroughly cleaned or replaced syringes, and clean hands are mandatory, as a chick's immune system is not yet fully developed.
• Adjust consistency and volume to age: The younger the chick, the thinner the formula and the more frequent the feedings. Adhere to the dosing guidelines of the respective manufacturer.
• Monitor weight daily: A scale accurate to the gram will show you early on whether development is on track. Stagnation or weight loss are warning signs; in such cases, consult an avian veterinarian promptly.

📌 These instructions do not replace individual guidance. If you are hand-rearing for the first time, seek support – by phone from us, from an experienced breeder, or through our webinars and seminars on bird keeping and health.

Buy Hand-Feeding Formula from Dr. Bürkle: Experience That Counts

All products in this category have been tested by us in practice; we only sell what has proven itself in our own keeping and breeding. From our location in Achern on the edge of the Black Forest (Ortenaukreis, Baden-Württemberg), we ship quickly and reliably to bird keepers and breeders throughout Germany and Europe. Especially with hand-rearing, time is of the essence: it is best to order your rearing formula well in advance so that you are not left without it at the decisive moment.

Do you have questions about the right formula for your bird species or about feeding techniques?

• You can find our veterinary practice here: Dr. Bürkle, Eisenbahnstraße 32, 77855 Achern, Germany
• The contact form can be found here: To the contact form