Taking Care of New Born Birds

Taking Care of New Born Birds

Many times by accident we find newborn baby birds that have been abandoned by their mother or our pet birds giving birth to their offspring. Taking care of newborn birds is not an easy task as infant birds are very delicate and require extra care. If you are tempted to carry an abandoned newborn bird home or need tips to care for a newborn baby bird at home, then read the following account.

If the mother of the newborn bird is there to take care of the infant then nothing like it. One can never replace the care and love that a mother can provide. But if the bird is alone and abandoned and you decide to become its caretaker then you must keep some points in mind.

• First and the foremost precaution is to take the newborn bird to an avian veterinarian. The vet will perform a complete check of the bird and rule out any illness or birth defect that the bird is suffering. Ask the vet to prescribe commercial formulas available in the market for infant birds and also whether the bird requires any vaccinations. Many vets suggest giving active bacteria or lactobacillus within 1-2 days after the bird is born. This helps the newborn bird in smooth digestion.
• It is very important to maintain the atmospheric temperature when taking care of newborn birds. If the bird is with the mother, be rest assured that it is getting the required warmth and optimum temperature to thrive well. Otherwise, you can aim to set the room’s temperature between 95 – 98 degrees Fahrenheit which is best suited for the newborn bird. If you have just found the baby bird and do not have a cage or nest, then you can use a box lined with a soft cloth and place the bird on it. To keep the box warm hang a lighted bulb on top of the box. The bulb should not be more than 40 watts.
• Infant birds need to eat frequently though in less quantity. During the daytime feed the bird a commercial formula every 2 hours. After 3-4 days you can start giving the food every 3 hours. It is advisable to give food in liquid form to the bird. You can use an oral syringe or dropper to feed a newborn bird. Meals can be skipped at night. As a precautionary measure test the weight of the bird every other day to ensure that the weight is increasing.
• Watch out for the bird’s crop, the gullet that exists near the beak. The food passes through the bird’s gullet before getting digested. But sometimes some food particles can remain in the crop and cause yeast infection also known as a sour crop. Keep testing the crop of the bird and if it looks slightly heavy then consult a vet immediately.

At any point in time, while taking care of a baby bird, it is advisable to visit the vet frequently and discuss all minor and major issues. When the bird is ready to fly and search for its food, the role of the caretaker becomes minimal.

See more: Bird Concussion