Jay chick ~ Help needed

[leon-b]

Hi all.
Found a Jay chick today, it was on its own in the park and I dont think that the parents were around so took the little mite home.
Not sure how old it is, can fly a tiny bit but not much and has loads of tiny feathers.
I fed it a few worms, gave it a tiny bit of water and its now in my garage in a hamster cage with a little nest I made out of grass
What should I do tommorrow ?
How often will it need feeding and what is best to feed it with ?
Any help aprecciated
Butch

[mystic meg]

Hi,

When you picked up this jay you don't seem too sure if the parents were around or not, if the bird seems healthy and lively the best thing to do is take it straight back to where you found it early tomorrow morning. Jays are notorious for imprinting on humans much the same as jackdaws when hand reared. If you are unsure if it needs help or not get in touch with your nearest wildlife hospital.
Nearly everyone thinks you have to give young birds a drink,they get all the moisture they need from the food they are given . If you give young birds a drink of water there is a high chance they will take it down the wrong way and will drown if it goes into their lungs.

I appreciate the fact you thought this bird was in trouble and picked it up, but you must be 100% sure you are doing the right thing and are prepared for the work involved to get the bird fit and healthy for releaseback to the wild.

[leon-b]

I'm pretty sure the parents werent around because I found it in the play park and loads of kids had been holding it & playing with it. There was also no trees close by, oeoeoeoe knows how it got there
The left eye is most of the time closed ?
It's just ate a bit of a worm and I've now got it in the cage in the garden.
What next ?
Butch

[owlmomma]

You have a pm

[mystic meg]

Hi Leon, he will need feeding regulary, are you able to do this? If not, he does need to go to a wildife centre to be assesed. Do you have a centre near you? In the meantime you can feed him worms, raw beef mince( pick bits off and roll into a small ball then offer it to him) or cat food although this will give him the squits Hope this helps

[leon-b]

I can feed him regularly yes
How often would you say ?
I've been feeding him small pieces of worm each time because otherwise he wont swallow it.
He often closes his eyes but the left on is nearly always closed although it can open
I tried giving him cheese but he didn't want it.
Butch

[owlmomma]

Leon,

no offence intended, I assure you, but, as I said in my email, after seeing the photos, I think that he needs to be with someone who has had experience of raising young corvids. I would be more than happy for him to come here to the Haven. I am sure that you would like to do it yourself but unless you know what you are doing, you may lose him.

You are only just over an hour away so I am sure we could sort something out.

[leon-b]

In reply to your email:
He's not that small, will easily fill the palm of my hand.
Eating, well he wont eat food thats it in front of him so I've been putting it in his mouth for him, he opens his mouth when he sees the food and is hungry.
How old do you think he is?
Butch

[owlmomma]

I would have said he is 3 -4 weeks

[mrs fish]

I raised a baby Magpie on cat food but I don't know how old he was when I got him, you could try some ??

Do you still have the number for the Ipswich Wildlife man ?

Are there some pics of him ?

[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.