Please help

**Mikkijo** · 10-17-2011, 09:32 AM

I am new here so I didn't introduce myself yet . I have two baby zebra finches that I just pulled from the nest. The other two were dead this morning. I have baby bird formula on hand and have gave them a feeding. They seem to be doing fine but I am very concerned because when I found them they were red. I know this means they were dehydrated. So my question is is the feeding enough or should I give them water? I am scared its too thin and I'll aspirate them. What should I do? Thanks so much for your help

**DesertDweller** · 10-17-2011, 09:56 AM

Please don't give them water. Just give them the formula the consistency of pea soup. They'll get enough water from that.

Baby birds CANNOT handle straight water. They'll aspirate. You are right about that.

When I feed new hatchlings, I feed them every 15 minutes all day long. Experts say they can go without food during the night, but I cat-nap at night and am ready to give them food if they seem to need it.

Good luck.. It sound like you have a handle on the situation. Keep us posted, please!

**Mikkijo** · 10-17-2011, 10:04 AM

Thanks soooo much for your quick reply! They are 11 days old today or close to it. I didn't give them water. Right now I'm working on something to keep them warm...after all the research I've done the past two months you think you know plenty til you have an emergency like this. Bless their little hearts. One of them has white wing feathers, that surpised me. Must have been a white finch in the mix somewhere down the line I guess. I have no idea why it would have white wings other than that. Well, it will soon be time for another feeding. Trying to make sure their crops are emptying out fast enough. I'm a wreck! Thanks again!

**DesertDweller** · 10-17-2011, 11:49 AM

You're welcome, Mikki. I know what you mean about being a wreck!!
What I do to keep my birds warm is I put them in a box about the size of those bus containers they use in restaurants (I actually use a bus box I bought at Sam's Club). I line the bus box with hand towels, place a margarine cup lined with toilet paper in the box, cover it with 2 towels - 1 on each half of the top. I then take a goose neck lamp and place a black light (40 watt) next to the box so the light is above the end of one of the towels. Use a thermometer in the box. I put the babies in the margarine cup which I place toward the middle of the box. They should be nice and comfy in there.

Zebra finches come in a variety of colors, believe it or not. Some are really amazing. Very nice that one has white wings!!

Good luck!

**Mikkijo** · 10-17-2011, 12:07 PM

Right now I have a small bedside lamp over a basket I have them in. Laying on a towel with tissue under the birds. What is the best temperature to keep them at. I sure never expected to have to do this. They seemed to be caring for the babies so well at first.

**DesertDweller** · 10-17-2011, 12:15 PM

I'd keep it close to 90 degrees until they're feathered, then I'd get it down closer to 80-85 degrees. Once they're feathered, they should be fine at close to 80 degrees. Then, once fledged, whatever your other birds are comfortable with, the babies should handle just fine.

Just make sure they don't get overheated with the lamp. If they're too hot, they will have their mouths open, kind of panting. You don't want them to get to that point!

**Mikkijo** · 10-17-2011, 12:29 PM

Ok...thanks again!

**Mikkijo** · 10-20-2011, 09:12 AM

Just wanted to give a report. So far so good. Both babies are doing very well it seems. I'm not as anxious but still guarded. So today they are two weeks old, their pin feathers are starting to sprout out now. They are super cute and indeed believe I'm the best Mama in the world lol. I would like to keep one as a pet so it will remain tame. Will I have to seperate the two in order for one or both to remain tame. Thanks! Hoping I can take them from under the heat light soon.

**DesertDweller** · 10-20-2011, 10:18 AM

It's hard to say, from my experience. Hope someone else will chime in on this thread.
I had baby sparrows, finches, and lovebirds that remained tame even being housed together. I had a sparrow housed all day with a baby budgie and let them out when I was home. They were both very tame. Right now I have 2 baby sparrows who I could not handle when they were at the age to fly (I had bad infection on my arm) and they're no longer hand-tame. I'm thinking of clipping their wings and trying again.
Probably if you keep working with them you'll be successful.

Congrats on a great job with them!!