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Debra
Super Nomad
Posts: 2101
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
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Saving hatchlings...........
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.
Mean people suck!
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
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Mood: Optimistic
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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...
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65304
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Any idea on what kind of birds they are?
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BirdDog
Nomad
Posts: 182
Registered: 3-9-2007
Location: Iowa
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Mood: Desperate to move to Baja
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If they turn out to be chickens you will have a good feed.
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Bajagypsy
Super Nomad
Posts: 1416
Registered: 8-31-2006
Location: BahÃa Asuncion BCS
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Mood: Living the dream
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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.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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As soon as they're old enough to fly, they're gone........but not forgotten.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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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    
[Edited on 4-19-2007 by woody in ob]
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
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Mood: Optimistic
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Debra....you go ahead and raise those birds.
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.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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BajaHawk
Nomad
Posts: 122
Registered: 4-3-2005
Location: Chula Vista, CA
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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.
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HotSchott
Nomad
Posts: 156
Registered: 9-4-2003
Location: Sandy Eggo
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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.
$$
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Crusoe
Senior Nomad
Posts: 731
Registered: 10-14-2006
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Pampano......What kind of little kitten/CAT is your friend holding? ++C++
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Debra
Super Nomad
Posts: 2101
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
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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!
Mean people suck!
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Debra
Super Nomad
Posts: 2101
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
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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!
Mean people suck!
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El Camote
Senior Nomad
Posts: 514
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Above the clouds
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Mood: y Blues
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| 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.
Knowledge is good. - Emil Faber
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gringorio
Senior Nomad
Posts: 812
Registered: 4-10-2004
Location: Tucson, Arizona
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bugs
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!
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ursidae69
Nomad
Posts: 275
Registered: 2-22-2004
Location: Youngsville, NM
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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!
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13050
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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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.
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
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Debra...I copied down some info for you for wild baby bird care:
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.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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Taco de Baja
Super Nomad
Posts: 1913
Registered: 4-14-2004
Location: Behind the Orange Curtain, CA
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Mood: Dreamin' of Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Crusoe
Pampano......What kind of little kitten/CAT is your friend holding? ++C++ |
I think that's Bob....
Truth generally lies in the coordination of antagonistic opinions
-Herbert Spencer
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Debra
Super Nomad
Posts: 2101
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
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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.
Mean people suck!
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