what to do with tossing Owls

[managermania]

I have some owls that keep tossing. They have tossed one in this bunch and another baby is still in the nest. They don't look too interested in the nest anymore. They are actually mating again as I type. I have some other owls with a little bit older babies (6 days). Would you pull this newborn and stick it with the others? Or could it screw up the other ones?

[Sally]

If they are mating again when they have newly-hatched babies in the nest, I think you can assume that for whatever reason they have decided to abandon this clutch. You can try putting the little one with the other nest, but watch it carefully. Some birds can be fooled easily, or they just don't mind, and others spot something different and toss within minutes. You might be better off just handfeeding this little one.

Are the tossers young birds? I find that the younger the pair, the more likely they are to toss, or stop feeding, or start another clutch. Maybe your pair are like teenagers--they like the sex, but not the consequences!

[cindy]

I agree with Sally..if they are young it might take them a bit. I have had zebra feed out a young owl but because as the owls beg differently as they get older the zebras stopped completely and I had to step in and take over feeding.

[managermania]

The baby just hatced and the other owls are 3 times the size. Would moving it into that nest even be possible? I think it is too small to hand feed.

[dfcauley]

The baby just hatced and the other owls are 3 times the size. Would moving it into that nest even be possible? I think it is too small to hand feed.

Is there anyone to hand feed it for a few days? I had to do this with my own owl and the foster soon took over it after it was about a week old.
They are small but if you use a banding tool it isn't too hard to feed them. I just put the tip to the mouth and they do the rest. You could put it with the others and let them keep it warm and just check it ever so often and feed it if necessary. Just a suggestion......

[managermania]

That's a good idea placing with the others for warmth. My whole family is gone all day so it will be tough. I will give it a whirl though. I just finished feeding it. We'll see what happens.

[finchmix22]

My Owls did not feed their two hatchlings for the first three days. I took them out every 2 hours and hand fed them with the tip of a cc syringe with a catheter attached. I did not pull the formula into the syringe, but just dipped the tip into the mix and put it to the hatchlings beak and they reached up and gobbled it all. They only take a few of these before the crops are full and they stop eating. I then , put them back with the parents in the nest, they would keep them warm, and just pulled them every time to feed. On the third day, I saw full crops!! So, I just checked them a couple times a day for the next day or two to make sure the parents kept feeding them and they did! So, go ahead and feed those babies. I loved feeding the owl hatchlings! I did use a magnifying glass to make sure I put the syringe tip to the right spot. LOL My eyes are not that good these days. Good Luck!