Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 1/12/2008

Question
Ok! I have a baby finch egg and i don't know what to do to keep it warm and i dont have a incubator. Right now i have kept it on a heater and a warm hat on top. The momma had it not to long ago. i also need to know how to handfeed the baby finch before it hatches. please help me!

Answer
Hi, Jada,

Why don't you put the egg in the nest with momma?  If you don't have an incubator, this probably won't work because you have to keep the egg at 98-99 degrees F round the clock with proper humidity and you have to turn the egg at least every 12 hours counterclockwise, IF the egg is even viable to begin with.  Even with an incubator, it takes experience to get it right the first time.  There are many ways you can apply warmth to the egg...perhaps what you are doing is OK, but you'll need to use a thermometer to keep constant check on the temperature.  In addition, a setup like this doesn't allow proper humidity.  If momma laid this egg, there's likely more coming....I guess???  I really need more information about the entire situation in order to really help you.

Handfeeding baby finches, PARTICULARLY from hatching, is a VERY difficult thing to do.  Do you realize how tiny those little babies will be?  I know people handfeed them, and I've handfed finch hatchlings that were at least a week old, and it was difficult at best at that age.  Finding an instrument to use to deliver the handfeeding formula isn't easy either because their mouths are so very tiny.   

Chrys