OK now .... Abandoned nest .....

[MiaCarter]

Yeah, I think the tossing occurred because the babies were dead.
So I don't think it was true tossing per se; more of just removing the dead babies from the nest (which is a good thing.)

They may be rather upset by the disturbance of the handfeeding.
If it seems they're not incubating consistently, I'd definitely do a homemade brooder.

I have a diaper warmer (same as Deborah) and I've also done a set up with a tupperware tub and a heating pad.

[Sandra]

MiaCarter ... I totally agree with you. They are disturbed at me feeding the babies. I have to toss them aside or else I wouldn't be able to feed the babies. I've put a heater right next to the nest. its on depending how long the nest is left for, I will turn on the heat

The parents are out for longer periods. If they don't go back in the nest for the night ... what are my options until the wipe warmer arrives?

I'm getting the wipe warmer that warms up from the lid I think. I'll put babies in as soon as I get it. Does the wipe warmer always stay on? I don't have a thermometer. I want to keeps it as simple as possible due to all this being a last min thing without a budget.

[MiaCarter]

Yes, I believe most wipe warmers stay on continually.

Your alternative option would be a heating pad in a shoebox or tupperware tub. They're usually around $10-15 at Walmart, or even at the drug store, like CVS or Walgreens.

If you couldn't do that, I'd do an open shoe box or tupperware tub with a gooseneck desk lamp a few inches above the babies. But you'd need to tie it up or affix it somehow so it doesn't fall into the box.
You'd also need to ensure that the babies were contained within a fairly small cup/bowl, so they couldn't wiggle too far away from the warmth.

[afinch]

A lamp seems like your best bet until additional equipment becomes available.

[Sandra]

MiaCarter and afinch .... does this seem to be ok?

I just remember I have a 25W lamp from a lizard I used to have. Its red light not bright so it should be good to not disturb the night cycle/

So I put a wet sponge in there?

[afinch]

Do you have a thermometer? Put it in there and check what temp you have after a couple hours. What's this box made up of? I would use something less flammable

[Sandra]

This is all I have. cant find digital thermometer anywhere. When I put my hand near the bulb, it feels warm-ish. Am guessing the heat isn't too much lower on the babies.

[afinch]

Hey you do what you can. I was thinking maybe a tupperwear or something plastic but this should be better than nothing in the short term. Good luck.

[Sandra]

I'm now second guessing myself on my capabilities to make this work.

The Tupperware we have are just too low. So I emptied a tissue box and thought the heat I will provide them is better than nothing ...

[afinch]

In these situations, you just do what you can :]

[Sandra]

Thanks. I appreciate everyone's experiences and kindness towards my learning and helping the babies out.

I just took the babies to feed them and it goes way better to feed them in my hand than from inside the nest.

[afinch]

Yeah I feed in my hand as well. Though if they're 0-3 days old I just feed in nest with a toothpick. But once I'm using the syringe I prefer putting the chick in my hand.