Hi HowieDawn,

If you have the time then handfeeding is the most beautiful experience. There is alot to learn about it, and it will take some getting used to. If it's at all possible, try to find someone who handfeeds and watch them do it, so you can get some good pointers. I am very visual and watching it done by a veteran helped me feel confident enough to try it myself. I handfed 2 clutches of babies, (and I also fostered many orphaned wild bird babies, but don't think that counts) and it's truly wonderful. The only downsides, becides needing the time to do it, are these:

1) you have to take the babies away from the parents. It always broke my heart. I felt horrible doing it but I always did it anyway.

2) you get so attached to those babies, getting homes for them is so much harder, they really become a part of you, almost like your very own offspring.

I suggest alot of cooked rices and pastas for the parents now. When the babies hatch (but don't get your hopes up to high on this since it's the first attempt) you really will want to limit the seed and increase daily cooked stuff.

As for brands of foods that I recommend: I am taking a wild stab at the spelling...Lafebers Nutri-Berries is a good food. It's shaped like a little ball and it's got honey, grains and seeds all stuck together. It's fun and interesting for the parents and it's nutritious. I always mixed Lafebers Nutri-Berries with Topper Bird Ranch Diet seed. The better feed stores will carry both brands. Topper is so loaded with nutrients, the ingredients go on and on. It's just a seed diet but it's a seed diet packed with vitamins and minerals. With mixing both of those seeds together you will have a great base diet.

Gosh, I wish I could see those babies when they are hatched I miss baby birds so much and I will always treasure having the opportunity to hand feed. You are in for such a treat. If you have any more questions or problems please feel free to email me or post on Pet Talk anytime.

The best to ya,

-Leslie