Expert: Roger Lederer - 5/8/2010

Question
QUESTION: I pot them in a pot an as close to the nest as possible but I can't reach. The one looked dead when I returned from work. I brought them in tonite, feed beef kitten food, warm water from dropper & the stronger one loved hard boiled egg. The 2nd one really hit the grond hard and the stronger one landed on him but he is responding to a little warm water. I have them under a lamp, and warm water in zip lock bags. In a warm winter hat. One is softly chirping, & throws his mouth open when I check the heat of the water bottles. It is cold out. Tomorrow morning, I will place them in the kitchen window, close to the nest, in the sun,and open the window. I could hear the mother sitting in a tree crying for them, this evening. A little down, wing feathers but alot of skin. Please advise me. I want them to live.

ANSWER: The best thing to do is to let them go immediately. They DID NOT FALL from the nest; they jumped. This is perfectly normal. They jump from the nest when it gets crowded and before they can fly. The parents will take care of them. What you are feeding them is fine for a few hours but they will die if you keep them on that diet. Let the parents take care of them, please. I totally understand what you are trying to do and I appreciate your wanting to help, but the parents know best, so release them as soon as possible. And thank you for your concern.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The weak one is getting stronger, also, They slept through the night & I put them in the kitchen window. I saw the three baby robins come out of the nest the third stayed in the metal tube but the other two hit the ground. They were knocked out & one wasn't breatheing. I put them in a pot and placed them where the robins perched so the cats would not get them. Ten hours later, one looked dead & the other had a very weak cry.
They are both eating this morning and chirpful. It is cold and raining out. The best I can do is put them in my upper kitchen window, near the nest (10' Below) I have them in a heated pot with clean socks. They cried for food and the robin is looking at them from the tree. The weaker one has a broken leg, I think. PS The mother did not push them out and they are way to young to fly. They only have skin, some down, little tails, and wing stubs. Thank you for your help. Please advise...Candice

Answer
As I said, they JUMPED from the nest. The mother did not push them out. They leave the nest before they can fly; this is perfectly normal. By feeding them yourself you are depriving them of the proper nutrition and vitamins from wild natural food that the mother provides. The mother is obviously aware and wants to feed them. If you do not feed them properly, they will either die or develop defects because of a lack of vitamins. Giving them water or fluid is dangerous because it could end up in their lungs. They get enough moisture from their food. At least contact your local wildlife rehab center for help and advice. They can tell how old the birds are and will know what to do with them. You can also go to www.ornithology.com/rehab.html for links to advice on raising baby birds. But, as I said, without experience it is very difficult to raise baby birds. I appreciate your concern but nature knows best.