Three little birds, sat by my doorstep
Discussion
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?!
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?!
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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 storySo hang in there OP - you might just succeed!
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!
kev b said:
Last year my wife found a baby pigeon on the footpath, it was almost featherless and very cold and wet.
We managed to keep it warm enough to survive overnight then fed it with a home made mixture of cereals we researched on the net, this was followed by commercially available "pigeon milk", it's surprising how much a baby bird can consume.
Pigeons are easy as there is loads of available info from pigeon fanciers, we weighed the chick and used the info to judge how much to feed it. This info is probably going to be harder to find for swallows but basically they only need food and warmth to thrive.
Good luck.
Thank you. They certainly do eat a lot. I am being conscious not to over feed the little things, but they are chowing down in kitten food like there's no tomorrow. Every hour, including through the night theyve been feeding. I mix the food with water to get their hydration levels up, and tomorrow I'll get some meal worm. We managed to keep it warm enough to survive overnight then fed it with a home made mixture of cereals we researched on the net, this was followed by commercially available "pigeon milk", it's surprising how much a baby bird can consume.
Pigeons are easy as there is loads of available info from pigeon fanciers, we weighed the chick and used the info to judge how much to feed it. This info is probably going to be harder to find for swallows but basically they only need food and warmth to thrive.
Good luck.
Wigeon Incognito said:
It's a tough job you've taken on but they do well on waxworms. You can buy them from most larger petshops, particularly those that stock exotics.
Matt.
Waxworms? Ok, I hadnt heard of them. I'll get some of them. Will dried be ok? I wil soak them in water before feeding if I get dried.Matt.
Turn7 said:
Waxworms should be live and are very fatty. Most PAH or reptile spec shops sell them...
Ah OK. My local town isnt renowned for its good pet shops. It has a "pets at home" and that's about it! I will have a ganders though. Thanks.ETA: That's probably what PAH stands for then! Sorry.
Edited by Mk3Spitfire on Saturday 19th July 23:17
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