Three little birds, sat by my doorstep

Three little birds, sat by my doorstep

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Mk3Spitfire

Original Poster:

2,921 posts

128 months

Friday 18th July 2014
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Ok, so its actually two little birds and they were in an outbuilding....but couldn't resist the Bob Marley link!
Long story short, was in one of the outbuildings today and came across 2 tiny little birds (I think swallows) who had taken one hell of a tumble from their nest about 10meters up.
Got the ladders but there's a few nests up there and I couldn't work out which one they came from. I've got them inside now as they'd have stood no chance outside, and I don't think the parents would have accepted them back anyway.
I've been feeding them kitten food soaked in water every 30 mins for the last 3 hours now. They were almost lifeless when I found them but they are now waddling around, and are very vocal!
Anyone any tips on how best to look after them?!

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

255 months

Friday 18th July 2014
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Mk3Spitfire said:
2 tiny little birds (I think swallows) who had taken one hell of a tumble from their nest about 10meters up.
Gas meters or electricity meters?

Mk3Spitfire

Original Poster:

2,921 posts

128 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
mybrainhurts said:
Mk3Spitfire said:
2 tiny little birds (I think swallows) who had taken one hell of a tumble from their nest about 10meters up.
Gas meters or electricity meters?
Can I get away with blaming autocorrect?! I actually think it was. Thanks for the help though.

Gargamel

14,987 posts

261 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
Very very difficult to help wild birds.

I am afraid you are in for some sadness. But I do wish you luck.

Almost any protein will do for food. But typically they digest very little calorie richness in their diet, being mostly insects, flies and spiders.

Mk3Spitfire

Original Poster:

2,921 posts

128 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
Gargamel said:
Very very difficult to help wild birds.

I am afraid you are in for some sadness. But I do wish you luck.

Almost any protein will do for food. But typically they digest very little calorie richness in their diet, being mostly insects, flies and spiders.
That's what I thought. frown
They are eating loads....I mean LOADS. And they're looking great...but I don't know they'll handle the night...
Thank you though.

Mk3Spitfire

Original Poster:

2,921 posts

128 months

Friday 18th July 2014
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Also, should I be feeding them through the night? I'm up at 6 anyway, will that suffice?

bexVN

14,682 posts

211 months

Saturday 19th July 2014
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Google hand rearing swallows, useful info will show. Would've put a link but tedious process on my phone!!

Good luck. Done well so far!

Mk3Spitfire

Original Poster:

2,921 posts

128 months

Saturday 19th July 2014
quotequote all
bexVN said:
Google hand rearing swallows, useful info will show. Would've put a link but tedious process on my phone!!

Good luck. Done well so far!
Thank you! Reading it over breakfast now. Just had their morning feed and both looking really well!

Escort3500

11,897 posts

145 months

Saturday 19th July 2014
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As said, it'll be very time consuming and most likely with limited chance of a happy ending. I'd try to get them to a local wildlife rescue centre. Good luck.

Mk3Spitfire

Original Poster:

2,921 posts

128 months

Saturday 19th July 2014
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Quick update for anyone interested...got home from work and the chicks are looking better than ever. I wasn't sure they'd make it through 24 hours, but they have, so I'll persevere!
No animal shelters etc seem to be open now so I'll have to wait till Monday.

bexVN

14,682 posts

211 months

Saturday 19th July 2014
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Keeping my fingers crossed for you! (and feathered friends) any idea how old they may be?

Turn7

23,607 posts

221 months

Saturday 19th July 2014
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Nice work OP, hope they continue to grow....

Mk3Spitfire

Original Poster:

2,921 posts

128 months

Saturday 19th July 2014
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Thank you bex and Turn.

I dont know how old, but pretty young....they have got what I would call a semi covering of feathers. They are stretching their wings but cant do much with them. They are gulping down my kitten food mix, but I plan to get them some meal worms tomorrow to see them through.

sunbeam alpine

6,945 posts

188 months

Saturday 19th July 2014
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Sorry I can't give you any practical advice, but just wanted to say well done and keep trying!

Top man!

Mk3Spitfire

Original Poster:

2,921 posts

128 months

Saturday 19th July 2014
quotequote all
sunbeam alpine said:
Sorry I can't give you any practical advice, but just wanted to say well done and keep trying!

Top man!
Thank you!

Sid's Dad

576 posts

141 months

Saturday 19th July 2014
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Last year, a neighbour brought round a tiny blackbird chick, days old at most. And i put it in the border, assuming it would be dead by morning. It hopped out of the border that evening, tweeting furiously and demanding to be fed. So I raised it by hand, using worms from the compost bin and then bought mealworms, until she fledged safely. She came back this year (or at least an incredibly tame blackbird who would feed from my hand came to the garden this year....) to raise her first brood.

So hang in there OP - you might just succeed!

0a

23,900 posts

194 months

Saturday 19th July 2014
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Sid's Dad said:
Last year, a neighbour brought round a tiny blackbird chick, days old at most. And i put it in the border, assuming it would be dead by morning. It hopped out of the border that evening, tweeting furiously and demanding to be fed. So I raised it by hand, using worms from the compost bin and then bought mealworms, until she fledged safely. She came back this year (or at least an incredibly tame blackbird who would feed from my hand came to the garden this year....) to raise her first brood.

So hang in there OP - you might just succeed!
That's a great story

Turn7

23,607 posts

221 months

Saturday 19th July 2014
quotequote all
Sid's Dad said:
Last year, a neighbour brought round a tiny blackbird chick, days old at most. And i put it in the border, assuming it would be dead by morning. It hopped out of the border that evening, tweeting furiously and demanding to be fed. So I raised it by hand, using worms from the compost bin and then bought mealworms, until she fledged safely. She came back this year (or at least an incredibly tame blackbird who would feed from my hand came to the garden this year....) to raise her first brood.

So hang in there OP - you might just succeed!
stories like that reinstate my trust in mankind.....

Mk3Spitfire

Original Poster:

2,921 posts

128 months

Saturday 19th July 2014
quotequote all
0a said:
Sid's Dad said:
Last year, a neighbour brought round a tiny blackbird chick, days old at most. And i put it in the border, assuming it would be dead by morning. It hopped out of the border that evening, tweeting furiously and demanding to be fed. So I raised it by hand, using worms from the compost bin and then bought mealworms, until she fledged safely. She came back this year (or at least an incredibly tame blackbird who would feed from my hand came to the garden this year....) to raise her first brood.

So hang in there OP - you might just succeed!
That's a great story
+1!

If I had left them, the cats/foxes/dog/etc would definitely have got them. The way I see it is that at least I've given them a chance. They are doing really well and ill keep at it. Appreciate the support on here too!

Turn7

23,607 posts

221 months

Saturday 19th July 2014
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Pics Man, pics!