any thing that my help with a baby bird

gemma 32 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-05-2011, 02:23 PM

i found a baby bird yesterday morning in my garden and have no idea where its come from as i have no trees ect where it could have fallen from. it has no feathers and eyes are starting to open today. its doing very well i have done some resurch but keep getting different info on different sites. i have made it a make shift nest out of a marge tub with some soft bedding. and trying to keep him warm by putting this on a hot warter bottle with a cover over it. he is eating really well i'm feeding him dog food with a tiny bit of water to make it moist. am i doing ok and what can i do to improve. i'll try and put a photo on later when my partner gets home

gemma 32 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-05-2011, 02:34 PM

this was when had just found it. its not pink/red any more. can you tell me what it is i'll get another one later next to somethinh so you have size ref

RKB · #3 (**permalink**) 12-05-2011, 04:34 PM

Can't tell from the small pic what it is. Maybe a Chaffinch or Greenfinch, about 5 days old.

You're doing the right thing. But you must keep it warm, especially all night - it cannot control its own temperature, so if it gets cold/cool then it will die within a couple of hours. But make sure the hot water bottle isn't too hot, so you might need to refill half-way through the night. If the bird feels cool to you then it's too cold - it should feel warmer than you to the touch.

Feed it hourly for at least 14 hrs per day, as much as it will eat (you may need to force-feed for the first few days). That should be about as much food as the size of 2-3 peas. This doesn't have to start at dawn - you can start at e.g. 7:30 am (I wouldn't leave it later) and go on til 9:30 pm under lighting.

Carry on what you're doing, but start looking for a proper rehab place to take it - it will need experienced care by next week, when it will be fledging age. (But it will still be dependent of feeding for another 2 weeks, gradually weaning). Ring St Tiggywinkles Welcome to Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital and ask for a local contact - they have a list.

Finally, be careful not to tame it. Don't talk to it, stroke it, or spend any more time with it than you have to. Getting used to people will be very bad. This will also help you to not get too attached yourself - these things often don't work out well, so it's best to keep some emotional distance. Hard, but better for everyone!

gemma 32 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-05-2011, 05:10 PM

its up in the 2nd bed room so that i dont bother it. there is no need to force feed this one as it is a very good eater.but could i over feed it? i got up with my partner at 6 this morning but will prob be in bed by 9 lol. i will get hold of a rescue center over the weekend.
thanks for the advice
gem

RKB · #5 (**permalink**) 12-05-2011, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gemma 32

its up in the 2nd bed room so that i dont bother it. there is no need to force feed this one as it is a very good eater.but could i over feed it? i got up with my partner at 6 this morning but will prob be in bed by 9 lol. i will get hold of a rescue center over the weekend.
thanks for the advice
gem

It will stop feeding/swallowing when it's full.

If you look closely under the skin at either side of the neck, you can see the crop, where food goes before being released into the stomach. You can see this filling up as you feed it. It will fill up quite a bit, like a bag.

If it's a finch, you might vary the diet a little by feeding cooked peas. Cook them til they're just soft, let them cool, take the 'skin' off, then halve them into the natural halves of the pea. You can feed these one at a time (or halve them again, into quarters) on the end of a small blunt nail or toothpick. Dip in water, blot off the excess then feed. Keep dogfood as a major food though.

You can also try cooked egg yolk. Separate a yolk or two, beat them, add a *little* bit of flour (like making a pancake), cook on a non-stick pan til just cooked, then let it cool. You can then cut it into small pieces and feed as above. Dip in water first.

It helps to vary the diet a bit, so it gets a broad range of nutrients. What they need is lots and lots of protein and moisture.

gemma 32 · #6 (**permalink**) 13-05-2011, 08:14 AM

thanks its getting picked up later and going to a local rescue center

. hopefully that will give him a fighting chance. found two more dead chicks in garden to day any idea where they could be comeing from? i love wild life in the garden and will do what i can to help. i keep cats out as much as i can as i had them eating the fish out of the pond fue years ago. any tips?

RKB · #7 (**permalink**) 13-05-2011, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gemma 32

thanks its getting picked up later and going to a local rescue center

. hopefully that will give him a fighting chance. found two more dead chicks in garden to day any idea where they could be comeing from? i love wild life in the garden and will do what i can to help. i keep cats out as much as i can as i had them eating the fish out of the pond fue years ago. any tips?

Could be House Sparrows, falling out of a nest in a building (under the eaves, or side of the roof).

gemma 32 · #8 (**permalink**) 16-05-2011, 08:48 AM

hes gone now the bloke said i had done a good job at looking after him. missing the churps from up stairs but glad of not getting up in the night to sort out hot water bottle and worrying about the little guy. lets hope that my hard work makes the differents and he makes it and graces the skys