Singleton hatchling rescue-need tips!

[lgyure85]

I work with a local wildlife rehab, and typically take any precotial birds. I just got a newly hatched Bobwhite, and this little one is like nothing I've had (I've even done Killdeer successfully!)! I don't think he's eating, but I I do have him in an incubator, and he is extremely active. I've read about tapping to get them to eat, and beak dipping to get them to drink, but he freaks out if I come anywhere near him. Should I just work to imprint the little one, so I can get it to eat/drink? We can keep him/her, so even imprinted, they will always have a home.

Thanks much!

 

[Tony K T]

He needs to be in a brooder not an incubator.At week 1 heat should be 95 degrees and drop 5 degrees each week for at least 6 weeks.Bobwhites are very skiddish and frighten easily.If you pick him/her up take it by the head so you can dunk his/her beak into and water and then into feed until it figures out that it is food.It may help to get another bobwhite to keep it company.
In N.H.,Tony.