Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[MaryJanet]

Ruby must have an incredibly strong will to live.

She's doing beautifully well.

 

[RoyalChick]

Oh dear - I don't know what to do.
I just went out to check on the Princesses and collect eggs and right out in the open is this little guy.

He is screaming his head off and as you can see Mom is coming by to feed him.

But he is right where every raccoon and fox will pick him off without even looking for him as he is sitting in the middle of predator highway.
Logic tells me this is just the natural world and it is what it is. But his chirping is so distressing.
I could pick him up and put him up on a tree branch - but raccoons and foxes are good climbers so I am not sure that does much good.
I am thinking if he makes it to nightfall (he might not because the foxes go by at dusk) then I pick him up and bring him into the garage for the night. I could always put him back out where his Mom can find him before dawn.
It is down to the 40s tonight but he looks well feathered - I am surprised he isn't trying to fly honestly.
Am I being pathetic? Should I just leave well alone?
Advice please people.

 

[MaryJanet]

Oh dear - I don't know what to do.
I just went out to check on the Princesses and collect eggs and right out in the open is this little guy.

View attachment 2695991

He is screaming his head off and as you can see Mom is coming by to feed him.

But he is right where every raccoon and fox will pick him off without even looking for him as he is sitting in the middle of predator highway.
Logic tells me this is just the natural world and it is what it is. But his chirping is so distressing.
I could pick him up and put him up on a tree branch - but raccoons and foxes are good climbers so I am not sure that does much good.
I am thinking if he makes it to nightfall (he might not because the foxes go by at dusk) then I pick him up and bring him into the garage for the night. I could always put him back out where his Mom can find him before dawn.
It is down to the 40s tonight but he looks well feathered - I am surprised he isn't trying to fly honestly.
Am I being pathetic? Should I just leave well alone?
Advice please people.

Is there a wildlife expert you can call?

If not, I'd try relocating the baby at night until it can fly.

 

[RoyalChick]

Is there a wildlife expert you can call?

If not, I'd try relocating the baby at night until it can fly.

There isn't really anyone I can call - it is not a rare bird or anything and it is a holiday weekend.
I am leaning towards bringing him in for the night and getting up really early to let Mom get to him when she wakes up.

 

[RoyalChick]

Is there a wildlife expert you can call?

If not, I'd try relocating the baby at night until it can fly.

Just found the US Fish & Wildlife website that definitely says I should leave it be.
They even use this particular bird (I think it is a Northern mockingbird) as an example of fledglings that are often on the ground.
They do say I can move it into the bushes if it is in a 'high traffic area'. So I think I will tuck it into the pachysandra for the night and hope for the best.
This is the second spring I have got all worried about wild birds (last year it was the wrens nesting in the garage).

 

[Marie2020]

Oh dear - I don't know what to do.
I just went out to check on the Princesses and collect eggs and right out in the open is this little guy.

View attachment 2695991

He is screaming his head off and as you can see Mom is coming by to feed him.

But he is right where every raccoon and fox will pick him off without even looking for him as he is sitting in the middle of predator highway.
Logic tells me this is just the natural world and it is what it is. But his chirping is so distressing.
I could pick him up and put him up on a tree branch - but raccoons and foxes are good climbers so I am not sure that does much good.
I am thinking if he makes it to nightfall (he might not because the foxes go by at dusk) then I pick him up and bring him into the garage for the night. I could always put him back out where his Mom can find him before dawn.
It is down to the 40s tonight but he looks well feathered - I am surprised he isn't trying to fly honestly.
Am I being pathetic? Should I just leave well alone?
Advice please people.

Personally I would have observed to see if his mama came back , if not I would put him safely away from harm and fed him squashed bugs. He won't survive alone.

 

[RoyalChick]

Personally I would have observed to see if his mama came back , if not I would put him safely away from harm and fed him squashed bugs. He won't survive alone.

He is very much not alone. Mom, Dad and what seems like a collection of Aunts and Uncles are very much around and about bringing him food and yelling at him (presumably for being so stupid as to fall out of the nest).
He is quite mobile and has moved himself closer to the house which is a tad safer.
I still think I might put him in a box in the garage for the night but I am less sure after seeing how far and fast he moves on the ground.

 

[RoyalChick]

Just let nature be nature. I’m not trying to be cruel, but we humans are the invaders in their world. If it was an abandoned chicken, (like my two) then yes intervene, but that’s no chicken. And if you even touch the bird, the other ones might reject it

Well it took things into its own hands by hopping off into the woods followed by what seems like a large extended family of adults.
I think it has a better chance in the woods rather than out in the field so I wish it luck.

 

[featherhead007]

It’s been a very long long loooong day. This Cowboy is hanging his hat for the night. Jaffar is hanging his feathers in the barn/coop, with his many ladies. I’m so glad his roller coaster ride is on the upswing tonight

 

[Grandmas Coop]

The man down at the bottom of the hill, on the water has a BIG fire pit area---I am assuming it is him that is smoking me out,, I am going to have to shut all of the windows GRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!