BajaNomad

Saving hatchlings...........

Debra - 4-18-2007 at 03:01 PM

3 days ago my son Brendan found some new hatchlings out in the desert, half a nest, upside down. Sooooooooo of course he has to try to save them (and name them, Teenie, Tiny and UMPHF!, UMPHF, being the biggest and the piggiest.) They were all eating well (and, pooping, the best sign, but , sadly we lost Teenie this morning)

Anyway, we are feeding them 12 grain bread sogged in milk, (every hour, night and day) they are eating really well and "UMPHF" is even starting to get feathers, does anybody have any better ideas? We don't know yet what kind of birds they are, and more of a worry is............what do we do with them if they survive? Will they be able to be left on their own? Or do we have a livetime deal going here? Thanks for any advice.

Pompano - 4-18-2007 at 03:08 PM

Debra...you are in a gray area here and will generate quite a mixture of emotions about adopting and caring for orphaned wild birds.

Having said that, I have raised a host of wild birds & animals... and the only one I never cottoned to was a fox.

Maybe this site will be of help to you.

http://www.petplace.com/birds/foster-care-of-orphan-wild-bab...

David K - 4-18-2007 at 04:52 PM

Any idea on what kind of birds they are?

BirdDog - 4-18-2007 at 05:53 PM

If they turn out to be chickens you will have a good feed.

Bajagypsy - 4-18-2007 at 06:42 PM

as I mentioned on the coyot post, my family took in baby racoons. My 2 cents is that as long as you try not to domesticate them, it can be a good learning experience for the kids. My 4 kids have learned that not all wild animals are cuddely.

DENNIS - 4-18-2007 at 06:57 PM

As soon as they're old enough to fly, they're gone........but not forgotten.

woody with a view - 4-18-2007 at 07:07 PM

funny but, this year in our front porch hanging planter we've had TWO nestings of mourning doves. the first two eggs hatched out and one of the babies (sure looks like him/her/it?) is living in our back yard (on the ground 80% of the time). we throw out sunflower seeds, 7 grain bread, etc...now there is another nesting pair in the same nest - but a crow/raven attacked and ATE one of the new eggs. there is currently one egg in the nest today but mom/dad are working hard at incubatoring this next generation......

long/short....what's the harm? they will die without your help. with your help they will hopefully fly away one day and that is all you will ever know as to there final outcome.

there is the off chance that another generation will benefit from the glut of birds, however:yes::?:;D:saint::P

[Edited on 4-19-2007 by woody in ob]

yummy (Small).jpg - 36kB

Debra....you go ahead and raise those birds.

Pompano - 4-18-2007 at 07:53 PM

They will live or die...fly or stay. It is all good. Wild or tame...you seem to love all of nature's creatures. You will have done what you could.

Now this guy would not have been a good companion for your little brood.

-0 a few wild pets (2) (Custom).jpg - 40kB

BajaHawk - 4-18-2007 at 08:05 PM

Can you attach a photo or two? I do a bit of rehab (leagally in California) and care for birds for a living. I could be of more assistance if we narrow it down a bit.

HotSchott - 4-18-2007 at 08:09 PM

We have baby mocking birds. Three eggs all hatched and they ditched the nest in about two weeks. I had to pick them all up one at a time while getting dive bombed by the parents and placed them on top of my gazebo in the bougainvillea - like Brer Rabbit getting thrown into the briar patch. They have been there for another week++ getting fed by the parents and cra pping and squawking all day. My dog and cats (and I) are all anxious to see them fly away...soon.

I am hoping this whole experience is like Jury Duty and now that I have served I will get missed the next time around. Either way the male cat has learned how to climb trees in the last couple of weeks and next year these little pecker heads better think twice about a repeat nesting in my yard or they will likely get a lesson in natural selection. It is hilarious to watch the cat get bombed and pecked in the butt by the parents. They are fearless little suckers.

$$

Crusoe - 4-18-2007 at 08:14 PM

Pampano......What kind of little kitten/CAT is your friend holding? ++C++

Debra - 4-18-2007 at 08:55 PM

Thanks everyone.

I at first thought they might be the little sparrows that are nesting all over down here, but, their beak is all wrong. Brendan thinks they maybe robins, but, I haven't seen any robins down here. But, "Tiny" and "UMPHF" are still doing well, eating like crazy! I just pray that they make it through another night! And to think, I thought I was well past midnight feedings!

Debra - 4-18-2007 at 08:59 PM

Pompano.........the link you posted isn't working, any other ideas?

And I don't know about the lynx (is it?) but, my huge cat is a good babysitter, just wish he would take over the 3am to 6am feeding shift! I had to take a nap today, sheesh!

El Camote - 4-18-2007 at 09:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pompano

Now this guy would not have been a good companion for your little brood.


No kidding. That dude in the hat does look sketchy. I'd leave my kid in a monastery before leaving him with that character.

Kitty looks sweet though. :yes:

bugs

gringorio - 4-19-2007 at 06:23 AM

hey Debra,

how are they doing? if you can catch flies for them or even meal worms that would be great. their parents would have been feeding them insects so if you're able to do the same that kind of nutrition will help their growth.

they must be responding to you with wide open beaks?

good luck!

:bounce:

ursidae69 - 4-19-2007 at 07:22 AM

I agree with Gringorio, if you can, a mixture of insects would be the diet of choice for a baby song bird.

Good luck and post pictures when you can and we'll help you identify them. I hope they fledge for you.

Chuck...
Quote:
Originally posted by gringorio
hey Debra,

how are they doing? if you can catch flies for them or even meal worms that would be great. their parents would have been feeding them insects so if you're able to do the same that kind of nutrition will help their growth.

they must be responding to you with wide open beaks?

good luck!

:bounce:

shari - 4-19-2007 at 07:30 AM

We raised an orphan baby owl and had it for 2 years as a wonderful pet. We had fun looking for food like snakes, lizards, scorpions, rabbit road kill and always enjoyed watching him gorf down his food. He was on a teather the first year but after that just hung around and at tiimes would fly into the house and land on my plate for a french toast hand out. Nico was legendary but eventually got mauled by our puppy who was very affectionate.

Debra...I copied down some info for you for wild baby bird care:

Pompano - 4-19-2007 at 07:36 AM

Foster Care of Orphan Wild Baby BirdsBy: Rochielle Goulette

Section: Orphan Babies

If there is no wildlife center in your area that cares for orphan wild birds, you should be aware that only certain species are legal for people to rehabilitate. Pigeons, starlings and sparrows are typically the only species that you should attempt to hand raise. Other species may be protected by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Guidelines

The most important things about trying to foster and rehabilitate wild birds is to offer a variety of food, keep the cage clean and be consistent when feeding. Your care will mimic care received in the wild. Try to keep in mind that these babies are being raised as their wild mother would raise them.

Always wash your hand before and after caring for the birds to prevent contracting an infection. Periodic daily access to sunshine is very important but you must make sure the birds do not overheat. If you place the cage outside, make sure it is predator-proof.

Birds must be able to fly and eat on their own before they can be released.

Housing

Keeping the cage clean is very important. With smaller cages, cleaning is easier. Once the baby is fed, he immediately wiggles his back end to the wall of the nest, raises his rear and defecates right out of the nest. This keeps the nest clean and your job as foster mom easier, since all you do is pick up feces outside the nest with a tissue.

For hatchlings, babies without feathers and eyes closed, a small box with a light cover, such as a small shoebox, works well. The temperature of the housing should be around 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. A heating pad set on low can be used to keep the cage warm.

For a bird with eyes opened and feathers, move him to a larger cage. A small laundry basket or box can work. A secure lid such as fiberglass screening or sweater dryer screen can be used. For either housing, line the bottom with a sheet of plastic, newspaper and paper towels. Change layers often to keep clean. Twigs can be used for perches. Make sure they are high enough so that the tails do not scrape the bottom.

For active fledglings, one laundry basket inverted on another and clipped together, a small playpen or appliance box usually works.

Feeding

For hatchlings, feed commercial baby bird food found in pet stores. Fledglings can be fed a mix of baby bird food, mealworms, insects and wheat bread. Nuts, chopped apples, sunflower seeds and alfalfa sprouts can also be offered.

Before feeding, always make sure the crop is empty. Then place the food in the back of the mouth, past the windpipe.

Naked hatchlings with eyes closed will need to be fed every 20 minutes morning till night. As night approaches, stop feeding and put the babies to bed.

Once their eyes have opened and their feathers are well started, you can stretch out feeding times to every 30 minutes, 45 minutes, hourly and eventually every 2 hours. By the time they hop out of their nests they should be on an hourly schedule. After about 10 days, feeding can be reduced to every 2 to 3 hours.

As soon as fledglings are perching, put small dishes of chopped mealworms, fruit or soaked dry dog food in the cage. Offer them food from the dish with blunt nosed tweezers or fingers. Encourage them to eat. Do not expect them to eat much on their own at first but keep showing them where you are getting the food. Place a small water dish in the cage. Add a few rocks to prevent drowning.

By 4 weeks of age, they should be self-feeding. They might try to get you to sneak them a handout by screaming. A few times a day, hand feeding is okay but you are trying to encourage them to eat on their own.
Twice a day they should be misted and a shallow dish should be available for bathing. This stimulates preening. Without waterproofing, feathers will not repel water. This will not only inhibit flying, but will also affect their ability to stay warm.

Development of Certain Bird Species

Sparrows

Eyes open within 1 week
Feathered by 10 days
Flying well by 2-3 weeks
Eating on own by 5 weeks
Release at 6-7 weeks, with feeding available (bird feeder)

Starlings

Eyes open within 1 week
Flying well by 3 weeks
Self feeding at 4 weeks
Release when tail feathers are full length and the bird is completely self feeding (7-8 weeks)


Well, good luck being a bird mom, Debra! You have a good heart.

Taco de Baja - 4-19-2007 at 08:09 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Crusoe
Pampano......What kind of little kitten/CAT is your friend holding? ++C++


I think that's Bob....:lol:

Debra - 4-19-2007 at 10:40 AM

Guess what? My little charges slept thourgh the night! YAHOO! the didn't wake me up until 6am, (kind of scared me though, just like an infant, you pray the day will come, but, when it does you fear they have died) they are feeding well, I'm almost afraid to hope that they will make it.

Popano, that so much for the "copy and paste" that really helps!

We are in Bay of LA so access to meal worms might not be an option, but, bugs sure are....I'll offer them some in a day or so. They both have their eyes open so now might be a good time.

I didn't bring my cords for my camera, but, I will take pictures as they progress and post later. Thanks for all the help everyone. We are keeping our fingers crossed.

Debra - 4-20-2007 at 09:39 AM

Gringorio, I bit the bullet and fed "UMPHF" 2 flies and "Tiny" 1, this morning (I was not sure about it, because I think of flies as so dirty) but, I took your advice and did it. Soooooooooooooo, I'm also having to rethink handeling them, I've tried to handel them as little as possible, but, this morning "Tiny" seemed frightened of me, hiding under his sibling, he did eat first, but, not as much as usual.......so while I cleaned their nest I put them in my nightgown on my belly, he seemed to calm down then and want more "grub" I really want to get these babes ready for a life in the wild of Baja, I'm afraid everytime I have to handel them I'm going to make them more dependent. I'm on solar power here and can't do alot of web-surfing, so any help that the Nomad's have time to do it for me I would really appreciate! Let's see these babies fly! Thanks!

Bajagypsy - 4-20-2007 at 10:31 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
We raised an orphan baby owl and had it for 2 years as a wonderful pet. We had fun looking for food like snakes, lizards, scorpions, rabbit road kill and always enjoyed watching him gorf down his food. He was on a teather the first year but after that just hung around and at tiimes would fly into the house and land on my plate for a french toast hand out. Nico was legendary but eventually got mauled by our puppy who was very affectionate.


I remember your owl, and it was my favorite puppy Dopey that mauled it wasn't it? It was really cool to walk onto Shari & Juan's patio and see an owl sitting there looking at you!!!

Debra...do they have little curved beaks?

Pompano - 4-20-2007 at 11:09 AM

Maybe you have owls?!! ;D

If so, they make great pets and are easily trained. Falconers have been hunting with them for centuries.

Here is a healthy example we saw at a renaissance theme park in Shakopee, Mn.

-0 a falconer with owl.jpg - 47kB

of course, feeding time is a little 'iffy'....

Pompano - 4-20-2007 at 11:14 AM

Ah..Here is the owl's preferred food, Debra.

But maybe a peice of chicken will do......:yes:

-0 a a (Large).jpg - 43kB

Two birds

Dave - 4-20-2007 at 11:15 AM

The Owl is the little guy, right? ;D

Yes...the one that's not squinting.

Pompano - 4-20-2007 at 11:33 AM

You know, Dave..that fellow DOES look a little like an owl at that.

But...enough sidetracking Debra's thread about baby bird care and feeding. So back we go.

And then there were three...

-0 a like these pic.jpg - 43kB

BajaHawk - 4-20-2007 at 05:46 PM

If you have insect eaters you can feed soaked dog food or cat food. A lot easier than catching bugs.

Sallysouth - 4-20-2007 at 06:43 PM

Oh my gosh Pompano, They look just like some of my spring bulbs that have come up in my yard! What a great photo!

Paulina - 4-22-2007 at 08:56 AM

Debra,

How about an update?

P<*)))><

Debra - 4-22-2007 at 10:45 AM

Update..........they are driving me CRAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZY! Eat, poop, eat, poop, MORE POOP, MORE EATING! They are cute as can be....hopping around. We have had them for 8 days now, so I guess we are over the hump. Looks like they will make it. We are looking forward to the day when they FLY! (away) :saint: :biggrin:

pargo - 4-22-2007 at 11:21 AM

They will learn to fly by example. You'll have to jump off a tree to show'em how it's done;)JK
I'd like to see some photos of the little guys Ok?

Debra - 4-22-2007 at 03:05 PM

I didn't bring my cords for the camera, but, I plan on taking them up to the booksigning... maybe David K. can share? And no, I won't be leading by example..........(broken back, broken shoulder, and the other day I sat in the chair to feed them and it was too far back so now I have a knot on my head) Brendan says I need to find a dark padded room and just stay there! :lol: :O

capn.sharky - 4-23-2007 at 08:06 PM

Kitty looks sweet though. " He may look sweet but he is a bobcat and will need to be turned loose before he gets much bigger. They can be mean little buggers.

Bob H - 5-6-2007 at 11:06 AM

Debra, it was great to meet you at the book signing. Your bird rescue story is a very good one indeed. Keep us posted and now I wish I could have met those birds face to face because you said you had them there with you.
Keep up the good work.
Bob H

Bob H - 5-9-2007 at 09:40 AM

Back to the top again... would be neat to have an update or some photos... Bob

Paulina - 5-9-2007 at 10:58 AM

Bob,
I talked to Mary Ann yesterday. Debra was in town. M.A. said that Debra finally let them outside as they were flying around the downstairs house, pooping everywhere like birds do. Maybe Debra will be online today and give more details.

P<*)))><

Debra - 5-9-2007 at 12:03 PM

They did not poop in the house, and they wern't flying around the house, only when they got out.

I'll give a full update later. Thanks for the intrest, it has been an experiance :lol: