My poor little owl fledging

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 2:37 pm

This pitiful little baby fledged from the nest yesterday. I tried to put him back, but he kept coming out. It is so small and hasn't got all his feathers. But he CAN fly all the way across the aviary and perch very well believe it or not. I have put it in a cage along with its mother.
She is feeding it, but it doesn't seem to beg very often. I have tried to supplement feed it, but of course it won't let me.
I am feeding mom seeds, dry and fresh eggfood, v-fite and millet. I welcome any other suggestion anyone may have. I would love to see this little bird survive. I am not getting my hopes up too high.
BTW, I have also put a little nest in the cage. Should I put him into the nest at night?

7/2/08

Post by **Sally** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 3:16 pm

Yes, he looks a little scrawny, but that's what my Berry babies look like right now, and they are trying to fledge. One has already been out of the nest, and the others tried going all over the place when I fed them their first meal this morning. If his Mom keeps him full, he may not beg as much as you'd think. Also, once they have gotten out of the nest, sometimes it is hard to get them to stay back in it. Is Mom going in the nest at night? If so, you could stick him back in just before dark--if she will go in with him, he should stay. Don't give up on him, he just has some growing to do.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 3:58 pm

My goodness...he is a tiny little fellow! But what he lacks in size he makes up for determination I guess.

I hope he does all right. I can't wait to breed my Owls this fall.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:16 pm

"Little fellow"?
Stubborn...not eating properly...won't go to bed at night....

Sounds like a female to me

Try a little soaked seed it may be tempted to try it...keep it warm and it should be ok.
Paul.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:42 pm

Mom slept in the nest last night and "Tater" slept on top. He is quite a little determined fighter. Mom is still feeding well and he looks so much better today. He can fly all over that cage and making improvements greatly. I have high hopes for him. He hasn't eaten anything on his own yet, but I don't think it will be much longer before he is pecking at some millet...... I will post pictures at the end of the week to show improvement.

Post by **Hilary** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:59 pm

First you can't force them out of the nest, and then you can't force them back in! Hope he's doing well!

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:56 am

I posted a new picture of "Tater". It has been three days and what a difference! He is doing great. Mom is still feeding well although she is not happy about being put in a cage. I haven't seen him eat on his own at all yet. But when I take him out of the cage, he takes off flying across the room.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 7:34 pm

Well the little fellow didn't make it. I am not sure what happend, he was doing so well. Or so I thought.....
I never did see him try to eat on his own and I believe mom finally stopped feeding him. He became weak last night and found him this morning.

I hated to see it because I had such high hopes for a great success story with him.

williep · Post by **williep** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 3:35 am

So sorry to hear about your loss dfcauley, hope mom and dad will raise a lot more healthy babies to make up.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:04 am

Ditto what WillieP said.....

Post by **Hilary** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:54 am

Oh, sorry to hear that.

Post by **Sally** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 1:26 am

So sorry to hear he didn't make it. Usually the babies will start nibbling at foods fairly soon after fledging, so if he didn't eat at all, Mom probably gave up on him. I really believe that a lot of the time, the parents know when a baby is weak, and in the wild, they will only take care of the strong ones, and they still do this with our domesticated birds as well.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:42 am

yes, I am sure that is what happend. If he had eaten I think he would of had a good chance.

BTW Sally, I have missed your post lately! Take a little vacation?

jamezyboo21 · Post by **jamezyboo21** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:31 pm

This is kinda late, but sorry for your loss.