Jay chick ~ Help needed

[leon-b]

Owl momma already reccomended cat food
I think he's content with worms but a varied diet would obviously be better for him.
Last night he stayed in my garage, would he be alright outside tonight ? In a cage with a nest ?
Butch

[mrs fish]

Keep him in the garage in case of foxes and cats.

Cat food is good because it is high protein

[leon-b]

He doesn't seem to want dog food soaked in boiling water ?
I've only had him eating worms.
Butch

[mrs fish]

Can you get some catfood chunks? He will like them

If you are worried and think he isn't eating then please call the Wildlife man

Ipswich Wildlife Care and Rescue

[elve]

my baby swallow nearly died eating cat food - horrible tummy upset I got some dried mealworms from wilkinsons, and crumble a few up over some scrambled egg moistened with a drop of water from the kettle (takes 30 seconds to scramble a beaten egg in a cup in the microwave if you stir it half way through - stores a few days in a box in the fridge) - she's thrived on it.

baby bird will be in shock and should be kept very warm for a few days and nights on a hot water bottle wrapped in a fleece, in a quiet room.

I'm feeding my bird every 20mins - just a mouthful is all she wants and the food needs making fresh every hour or so.

[mystic meg]

Leon, it does need warmth, please take owlmamas offer of help I do think this bird is unwell. A hot water bottle would be fine, wrapped in a towel, but there is no reason to wrap it up it will cause more stress and damage feathers.
I am gonna bow out of this thread now so good luck

[elve]

actually takes a minute or so to scramble an egg LOL (just done one ) - couldn't edit post

[mrs fish]

Hows he doing Leon ?

[Abby]

abit of worm every now and then wont do him any good really.
if you can get live meal worms, kill them and try them with him as they have abit more protein, you could also try scrambling or boiling an egg and feed him the solid yolk. if he will only take worms then try him with the other food as it is better for him but put it neatr the back of his throat as he is more likely to swallow it, but only small pieces.

i think he would be best at a wildlife centre, with kindest regards as that would be the most fair on the jay. you have done well to keep him this long but i personally think that you need somebody with more expierence with corvids to continue the rearing. he will need to be returned to the wild and with one jay on his own this would be hard as you are bound to get attached to him as they are so beautiful! and he will in return get attached to you and in the long run this isnt fair on the bird.

well done for your efforts so far but do have a serious think about what is best for the bird, as at the end of the day relying on you to make the right decisions for him.

good luck with him!

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by mystic meg

Leon, it does need warmth, please take owlmamas offer of help I do think this bird is unwell. A hot water bottle would be fine, wrapped in a towel, but there is no reason to wrap it up it will cause more stress and damage feathers.
I am gonna bow out of this thread now so good luck

Leon - no offence mate but i really think you should take owl momma up on her offer, amongst other things a bird that young is going to need constant care/feeding throughout the day and you presumably have to go to school and do all the other things that a young man does.

I know you only have the birds best interests at heart but my feeling is that he/she needs to go to a wildlife hospital who can care for and hopefully eventually rehabilitate and rerelease your feathered freind.