Found a very young chick..... Help!

[TrophyMax]

Just found this on the pavement whilst walking my dog..









I couldn't leave it there so it's now in my hand as I'm typing. The only meat I had in the fridge was some cooked liver (for my dog) which I broke into some tiny pieces and moistened in water, it has got three pieces down and seems to have perked up a bit. I doubt it will survive but I'll give it as much effort as I can.

Any experts on here? What should I be doing?

Thanks.

[Getragdogleg]

Not an expert but I would say that it is hopeless, unless you can find out what it is and what it's parents would be bringing it flies/berrys/fag ends if it is a pigeon then I would say it is going to expire soon.

Keep it warm and keep it fed the right stuff and you might have a chance but what the hell are you going to do with a small bird ?

Are there any bird hospitals nearby ? before any smart arses say "ha ha, bird hospitals, what are you on?" there is an excellent wild bird hospital near me and I have taken countless birds in over the years.

[omgus]

It's very harsh to say but it will be very unlikely to survive.

Good luck with it though.

[Jasandjules]

I'd say message RapidPete - he has hand reared birds from the egg.

[ali_kat]

This ^^ thread here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[TrophyMax]

Thanks for your replies.

I got my Mother on the case and the chick is now at her house in the airing cupboard after eating some mashed up midgies. Thanks for that link, it has given me a glimmer of hope, I've also messaged Pete for advice.

Fingers crossed for the little fellow.

[Japveesix]

I reckon it's an eagle, try it on rabbits or deer fawns maybe?



ps. good luck raising it, hope it lives

[rapidpete]

Hiya Max, the chick needs to be at approx 37°c at this stage, so I keep mine in a cotton wool `nest` with a small soft toy to hide under. An airing cupboard is a good as it gets if you don't have heat lamps. Dehydration is the biggest issue at this temperature so any food needs to be sloppy in order to re-hydrate. Best food would be hard boiled egg with some pea's and any insects you can find all mashed up to a fine pulp and add water to moisten. Warm the food gently
so it's close to body temperature before feeding and feed until it's crop really bulges. That will last it for 20 mins or so but make sure it's crop is empty before feeding again.

good luck on your mission

Pete

[rapidpete]

me again! forgot to say:

all they really need at this stage is protein, roughage and liquid so whether the chick is a soft bill or hard bill [insect eating or seed eating]the mashed eggs and pea's seem to do the trick for the first week.

cheers

Pete

[TrophyMax]

Thanks for your help Pete, sadly the little chick died at lunchtime today. I don't know how long it had been on the pavement and I would guess it had been dropped from a height. At least we tried our best, nature can be very cruel sometimes.

Thank you all for your help.

[Mobile Chicane]

TrophyMax said:

Thanks for your help Pete, sadly the little chick died at lunchtime today. I don't know how long it had been on the pavement and I would guess it had been dropped from a height. At least we tried our best, nature can be very cruel sometimes.

Thank you all for your help.

Its parents could well have pushed it out if it had some abnormality. Well done you for trying to save it though.

[rapidpete]

Oh well, you can only do your best. Hen birds will eject their chicks if all's not well, as will cock birds if the mood takes them. Well done for trying though..

cheers

Pete

[Agrispeed]

Victim of a cuckoo perhaps?

[Jasandjules]

Sorry to hear that OP but well done for trying.