Passwell Hand Rearing Food 1kg – Formula for Parrots, Finches, Pigeons & Doves

Passwell Hand Rearing Food 1kg: Hand Rearing Formula for Parrots, Finches, Pigeons & Doves

Passwell Hand Rearing Food is a nutrient-enriched formula for hand-rearing all parrots, finches, pigeons and doves, from hatching right through to weaning. It mixes into a smooth, creamy consistency that's ideal for spoon or crop feeding, and it's built to give chicks everything they need through the fastest growth stage of their lives.

What's In It

The formula is based on processed cereals (rice, wheat and oats) with soy and whey protein isolates, providing high-quality protein and the essential amino acids lysine and methionine for feather and muscle growth. It's enriched with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, carotenoids, taurine, and a full range of vitamins (A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, D3 and K, plus biotin and choline) and minerals including calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and magnesium.

It also contains probiotics and prebiotics to support gut health, along with digestive enzymes to improve digestibility, which matters a great deal in a chick whose digestive system is still developing.

How to Prepare & Feed

Mix the powder with warm water to a smooth, creamy consistency. Importantly, the dilution changes with the chick's age: start newly hatched chicks on a more dilute mixture, then gradually increase the proportion of powder as they grow. Follow the dilution guide on the pack for your chick's age and species, as feeding a mix that's too thick to a very young chick can cause crop problems.

Key feeding points:

• Prepare the food fresh for every feed, and thoroughly clean all utensils between feeds

• Feed until the crop is comfortably full, generally around 10% of body weight per feed

• Let the crop empty completely at least once a day, usually by allowing an overnight fasting period

• House chicks in a warm, draught-free brooder at the right temperature for their age

• Weigh chicks at the same time each day, before feeding, and record the weights

Healthy chicks should gain weight daily until they're well feathered. If a chick isn't gaining, it often means it isn't getting enough food, so it may need more volume per feed, more feeds per day, or a higher proportion of powder in the mix. Weight loss can also signal illness, so see an avian vet if you're concerned. Passwell publishes feed and growth charts for different species, which are worth following for your bird.

Important: Don't Add Supplements

Do not add vitamin, mineral or concentrated food supplements to the formula. The mix is nutritionally balanced as supplied, and adding extras can seriously alter its composition and cause dietary imbalance, which does more harm than good in a growing chick. Baby apple, vegetable puree or peanut butter can be added at no more than 10% of the prepared food volume without significantly affecting the nutrition.

Weaning

Once chicks are fully feathered, start offering adult-type foods alongside their formula feeds, gradually reducing the hand feeding as they begin eating on their own.

Key Features & Benefits

• Nutrient-enriched hand rearing formula for parrots, finches, pigeons and doves

• Suitable from hatching through to weaning

• High-quality protein with essential amino acids for feather and muscle growth

• Enriched with omega-3 and 6, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids and taurine

• Probiotics and prebiotics for gut health, plus enzymes for digestibility

• Mixes to a smooth, creamy consistency for spoon or crop feeding

• Complete and balanced, no additional supplementation needed

• 1kg pack

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hand rearing?
Hand rearing is raising a chick by feeding it yourself rather than leaving it with its parents. It's done when parents abandon or can't care for chicks, in breeding programs, or to produce tame pet birds. It requires a prepared formula, a warm brooder, careful hygiene and regular weighing.

Which birds is this formula for?
All parrots, finches, pigeons and doves, from hatching to weaning.

How do I mix Passwell Hand Rearing Food?
Mix the powder with warm water to a smooth, creamy consistency. The dilution depends on the chick's age, start young chicks on a more dilute mix and gradually increase the powder as they grow. Follow the guide on the pack for your chick's age and species.

How much do I feed at each feed?
Feed until the crop is comfortably full, which is generally around 10% of the chick's body weight per feed. Allow the crop to empty completely at least once a day, usually overnight.

Do I need to add any supplements?
No, and you shouldn't. The formula is nutritionally balanced, and adding vitamin or mineral supplements can unbalance it and harm the chick. Small additions of baby apple, vegetable puree or peanut butter at under 10% of the volume are fine.

Why isn't my chick gaining weight?
Most often it isn't getting enough food, so it may need more per feed, more feeds each day, or a slightly thicker mix. Weight loss can also indicate illness, so consult an avian vet if it continues.

Do I need to prepare it fresh each time?
Yes. Make up fresh formula for every feed and clean all utensils thoroughly between feeds. Leftover formula is a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast, which is a real risk to chicks.

How should I store it?
Keep it in a cool, dry place, sealed to maintain freshness, and out of reach of children and pets.