Wild bird eggs - NO I didn't take them **UPDATE**

[KimberlyJ]

I would recommend getting hand raising formula at the pet store. Specifically formulated for hand feeding baby birds, just look in the pet bird isle.

 

[Godsgrl]

Several years ago, I fed baby birds at a sanctuary. All I'll say is that some of those birds needed to be fed every 10-15 minutes, from sun up, to sun down. Good luck.

 

[nuts4chickens]

Good Luck! I cant wait to see what happens next! What an adventure, and learning experience!

 

[tracyrene]

You may want to look into what they eat at different times during growth. I read somewhere that it makes it very complicated to feed wild birds because their parents feed different insects at different times as they grow. Best of luck and I can't wait to hear more!

 

[NaomiSarah]

Quote:
Pet bird handfeeding formula is typically not high protein enough, from what I'm reading about the robin's protein levels that they need. I'm guessing I have about six days until they hatch, if they hatch, I'll be candling tonight to see if they're still viable. I'm still skeptical that the embryos will survive after all that transportation and trauma.


Thanks to everyone for the starling recipes, no matter how many times it gets posted I'm sure i'll be referring back to it a lot!

 

[beckt]

I must say it can be done. Been there done that. The last one I raised was a starling. She still lives with me. If they turn out to be starlings just google and you will find great info. My pet starling turned 6 years old this past April. She /he is the coolest thing. I always say she is such a cool bird. She imitates my pet conure so well If you are not in the same room you don't know for sure who is making all the noise. She even will imitate some human speach. Very limited. But I say if you have the time it is so worth it. I was gong to turn mine back to the wild but we had pretty bad flood at that time and I just knew she would not survive. Thus I still have Clarice living in a large cage in my living room But be prepared for lots of poop. lol They are pretty dirty birds. Mine has a nick name but I can't say what it is on here lol. She is a treat to have around every day. She is so smart it is not funny. I went on a web site and it told me pretty much all I needed to know. Good luck in your venture.

 

[NaomiSarah]

Wow!!! Six years!!! That is INSPIRING!!!!

By the way, I haven't slept thru the night since my oldest kid was born, so the constant attention isn't a problem for me, even the frequent feedings. Plus, my friend who brought them to me promised to handle a couple days of feedings for me if I get too tired from it all. I'm really excited that this project came to me, whether it's successful or not, I consider it quite amazing the embryos survived this far! I'll update after the candle tonight. Actually, I'll try to get a candling picture while I'm at it. It's really something else, seeing little birds the size of pencil lead.

 

[Debbi]

Clarice Starling?? I love it!

Good luck with the babies, you can do it!

 

[NaomiSarah]

I candled the eggs - one isn't developing (or isn't yet) and two have visible, wriggling little chicks. Here's some pics - How cool. It's swimming and swimming around, I can see the tiny umbilical cord too. The other one isn't so active but still looks healthy. Wonderful!!!

Any thoughts on how to improve taking candling pics in pitch black with an ordinary digital camera?

ETA I know the veining looks a little blood-ring shaped in the pics but that's not the case at all, they're just crappy pics.

 

[Stina]

When looking at nutrient levels you MUST keep in mind the WATER content....canned food LOOKS like it has much lower protein than dry....but if you look at it on a dry matter basis (the levels if you remove water) your average canned food is actually comparable or HIGHER in protein than your average dry. You will probably do best with a very high (i.e. NOT anything iams/eukanuba/purina) quality canned dog or cat food. You want grain free and mostly meat. Consider the grain free lines of Wellness, Nature's Variety, Innova, Merrick, Taste of the Wild, etc.