Expert: Miguel Rodriguez - 5/23/2007

Question
We do not know what type of baby chick it is.  It fell from it's nest during high winds.  Don't know how long it was on the ground either but it was alive.  Opened it's mouth when we pointed to it.  Did not touch it but did feed it some wet bread.  Gobbled it up.  Cant reach to put it back on the nest.  Parents were watching.  Used some garden gloves to put it in a bird house and hung it on a low tree next to the tree that has the nest.  Did not want to leave it on the lawn as we do have "critters" that visit.  We are not sure if it will survive the nite---not that the chick is injured but temperature will be in the low 50's.  It is flapping its wings & opening its mouth alot.  How often should we feed it....water it????and should we bring it inside????  We really do not want to see it perish.  Any advise.....

Answer
Survival of the chick is not guaranteed but if there is no way to place it back on it's nest, then see how long you can keep it alive by feeding it. Remember to give it some sort of protein intake, not just bread. Teeny-tiny bits of minced meat might be good. For hydration, just moisten the bread bits first with water. If you can, get a photo of the parent birds, or of the chick, so I can see which species it is and more properly guide you with regards to its feeding.