Fostering a Baby Bird

Luv2Game · 06-30-2008, 02:22 PM

We have little birds that nest in the top of our Machine Shed. My son found one laying on the groud. It more than likely fell out of its nest, or tried to fly and didn't make it. My son wants to try and save it, and we don't know what to feed it or anything.

I think they are kinbda like a house wren or something like that. They are just cute little birds (the adults). Anyway, If anyone has a suggestion, feel free. I can try and take a pic sometime today. Right now it is sitting in a small plastic bin, uncovered obviously, but inside a cage, as the cats will kill it otherwise. Any suggestions welcome!!!

breburtch · 06-30-2008, 02:39 PM

pics would help. You'll have to do your research once a breed is determined to find the best food and what would be best for keeping it alive. Make sure to keep it warm and out of drafts also keep your hands washed alot of birds carry lice and other types of parisites. Taking it to a wild life rescue might be best for it though if you don't know anything about birds.
If you know which nest it was from you could try putting it back. Also some breeds of birds the bigger stronger babies will push the smaller weaker ones from the nest

HorseMomToSage · 06-30-2008, 09:04 PM

I just had this happen with my brother's girlfriend. I read that most likely the parents are watching and if possible will try to get to the baby. The article actually said to put them in a strawberry type basket and the parents will come for them. It's important to know whether they are nestlings or fledglings. You can tell that by testing whether the baby can grip your finger, if it can it's a fledgling and the safest place is actually out of the nest so they will try to get them out as soon as possible. If it's a nestling then placing them in a spot where the parents can get to them but is still secluded will help. It's very hard to save a wild bird because they need to eat about every 20 minutes. Good luck.

ray · 06-30-2008, 11:14 PM

My friend used to do this all the time and she used scrambled eggs...

Luv2Game · 07-01-2008, 07:23 AM

Just thought I'd let you know the little guy didn't make it.

Thankyou so Much for your replies!!!

Drafty · 07-01-2008, 07:36 AM

Don't feel bad, you did what you could. Raising a baby bird is a very difficult task. Most of the time, the parents either pushed the baby out of the nest for a reason OR they know it is on the ground and will still take care of it. As heart wrenching as it is, sometimes we just need to let nature take its course.

Sunlei · 07-01-2008, 10:31 AM

oh I'm sorry the little bird didn't make it

I've used well soaked plain grain based dog or cat food as baby bird food for birds like starlings,blue jays,wrens. Steady warmth and small frequent meals are critical to a baby that isn't of the age to be out of the nest for any reason.

Depending on the baby birds age, beside feeding the very soft food, always place a small water and seed/bird food mixture in the cage as the older feathered chicks do have some ability to start feeding themself.

cloudyandcallie · 07-01-2008, 12:52 PM

you can get the formula for birds at pet stores like petsmart and all. it is good cause you don't have to worry, same stuff as for domestic baby birds that breeders have.
keep some on hand for times when you need to foster the orphans.

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06-30-2008, 02:22 PM
Luv2Game Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,409	Fostering a Baby Bird We have little birds that nest in the top of our Machine Shed. My son found one laying on the groud. It more than likely fell out of its nest, or tried to fly and didn't make it. My son wants to try and save it, and we don't know what to feed it or anything. I think they are kinbda like a house wren or something like that. They are just cute little birds (the adults). Anyway, If anyone has a suggestion, feel free. I can try and take a pic sometime today. Right now it is sitting in a small plastic bin, uncovered obviously, but inside a cage, as the cats will kill it otherwise. Any suggestions welcome!!! __________________ "Horses know nothing of money, status, beauty or accomplishment...Horses see only our hearts, and they accept or reject us based on what they find within... - Mary Midkiff

06-30-2008, 02:39 PM
breburtch Coming two Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ennismore, Ontario Posts: 1,903	pics would help. You'll have to do your research once a breed is determined to find the best food and what would be best for keeping it alive. Make sure to keep it warm and out of drafts also keep your hands washed alot of birds carry lice and other types of parisites. Taking it to a wild life rescue might be best for it though if you don't know anything about birds. If you know which nest it was from you could try putting it back. Also some breeds of birds the bigger stronger babies will push the smaller weaker ones from the nest

06-30-2008, 09:04 PM
HorseMomToSage Coming two Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: A Whole Other Country-TX Of Course Posts: 1,501	I just had this happen with my brother's girlfriend. I read that most likely the parents are watching and if possible will try to get to the baby. The article actually said to put them in a strawberry type basket and the parents will come for them. It's important to know whether they are nestlings or fledglings. You can tell that by testing whether the baby can grip your finger, if it can it's a fledgling and the safest place is actually out of the nest so they will try to get them out as soon as possible. If it's a nestling then placing them in a spot where the parents can get to them but is still secluded will help. It's very hard to save a wild bird because they need to eat about every 20 minutes. Good luck. __________________ Just when the caterpillar thought it was the end of the world, it became a butterfly

06-30-2008, 11:14 PM
ray Yearling Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 691	My friend used to do this all the time and she used scrambled eggs... __________________ If wishes were horses, then beggers would ride!

07-01-2008, 07:23 AM
Luv2Game Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,409	Just thought I'd let you know the little guy didn't make it. Thankyou so Much for your replies!!! __________________ "Horses know nothing of money, status, beauty or accomplishment...Horses see only our hearts, and they accept or reject us based on what they find within... - Mary Midkiff

07-01-2008, 07:36 AM
Drafty Long Yearling Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,002	Don't feel bad, you did what you could. Raising a baby bird is a very difficult task. Most of the time, the parents either pushed the baby out of the nest for a reason OR they know it is on the ground and will still take care of it. As heart wrenching as it is, sometimes we just need to let nature take its course. __________________ "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." - Mahatma Gandhi

07-01-2008, 10:31 AM
Sunlei Yearling Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 950	oh I'm sorry the little bird didn't make it I've used well soaked plain grain based dog or cat food as baby bird food for birds like starlings,blue jays,wrens. Steady warmth and small frequent meals are critical to a baby that isn't of the age to be out of the nest for any reason. Depending on the baby birds age, beside feeding the very soft food, always place a small water and seed/bird food mixture in the cage as the older feathered chicks do have some ability to start feeding themself.

07-01-2008, 12:52 PM
cloudyandcallie Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vernon River East Coast Posts: 148	formula at pet stores you can get the formula for birds at pet stores like petsmart and all. it is good cause you don't have to worry, same stuff as for domestic baby birds that breeders have. keep some on hand for times when you need to foster the orphans.