2 little birds need help- please read the details below and help them survive!?

Question

Please read the story behind these sparrow chicks here:-

http://rishabhsingla2002.blogspot.com/2008/07/two-little-birdies-chirping-in-my-home.html

I want to know how many days (on average) does a sparrow chick take to start flying like a grown-up bird?

Also, what is the ideal food for them?

Also, the birds have not yet started eating food from the floor/ground. They have to be manually fed (orally). They don't even eat the food lying in front of them. I'm worried that when they grow up and we leave them in open sky, these birds may not know how to search for food or how to eat it (because they're growing up in a human home, and not the way nature makes them grow-up). What can be done about this?

Answer 1

Hi!

I and my family hand-rear parrots so i know a bit about this. I've also rescued 2 baby black birds. one survived but the other didn't. Buy some Kaytee Hand Feeding Formela from your local pet store. You will need to feed this by syringe,spoon or tube. The food must not be to hot! When the birds are ready they will show little interest in the food you are feeding them. Place them in a box or cage ( if they are over 4-5 weeks old) ,on the floor or in bowles provide a mixture of the below:

* Flour 1/2 cup * 1 table spoon of  brown sugar * Baby food 1/2 can *hand feeding formela - 2 table spoons *1 Raw egg

* water ( as much to make a thickish mixture) * 2 tea spoons of milk.  If you wish you may miss out hand feeding formela.

This mix can be frozen.

With this mix provide vegies.

When they start to eat a bit cut down  to one feed, 2 days later cut down another etc.... In their cage place branches to make it a natural inviroment for them , also buy worms from the pet shop. Place the worms in a container with a bit of dirt. Don't forget to give the birds lot of different foods with this mix! try and feed the  thick mix off a spoon - this may help them to learn to eat faster. Try to give them less human contact. (this is a lot different to hand rearing parrots as you want them tame. When the birds are eating and drinking it is time to let them free! Make both are eating and drinking plus flying! When the time comes to let the birds go give them a safe place to be set free. For a week or two leave food out for them. Good Luck, Jolan.

Any questions? email me at [e-mail]

Answer 2

It sounds like you are doing a good job so far! I agree with Beth P though.  The blog is pretty good. I really wouldn't be feeding them bread especially with milk. Do you know if this is a seed or bug eating bird? Baby birds need the right food to grow healthy. Good luck I'm glad you rescued these birds!

Answer 3

Well first of all they should be taken to a wildlife rehabber inyour area. You can call a local vet and they can refer you to one or sometimes take them and transport to rehabber. The rehabber will make sure they are not imprinted adn ready to go into the wild and fend for themseves. the birds should be kept very warm. They should be fed manually every 20 mins from dawn until dusk. There are mealworms, you can cut them up adn give to them. There is bird handfeeding formula available at petstores that will do for a while. Make sure it is warm not hot or cold. Do nto give water. As they grow put a small thing of seed in a little container with a few mealworms . Let them watch the mealworms wiggle. They will catch on. But your best bet for their survival the way they should be is getting them to reahbber. It is free and you will feel good about it. :)