Expert: Roger Lederer - 4/12/2010

Question
I found a robin's egg on the ground with no nest or trees around, we brought it into the house and put it in a makeshift incubator. (a small fish tank and a warm lamp.) Did i do the right thing, what is a good temp to set the incubator to and what can i do with it if it hatches? Please respond ASAP!!!

Answer
If you found a Robin's egg on the ground with no nest or trees nearby, then I suspect the egg got there because a predator like a jay or squirrel or rat stole it from a Robin's nest. Are you sure it is a Robin's egg (light blue in color?). The chances are that the egg is infertile or addled (gone bad) and it is not likely to hatch. A small fish tank with a warm lamp is probably not warm enough. The egg needs about 100 degrees F to hatch with high humidity and needs to be turned every few hours. If the egg is good, and I doubt it, it is VERY hard to hatch and EVEN HARDER to raise a young bird if you have no experience. SO contact your local wildlife rehab center or wildlife official for advice. I appreciate your concern, but don't be disapppointed if the egg does not hatch.