How Often Do You Feed a Baby Owl
Well usually for Easter people get chocolate bunnies and eggs….I've got an 1 week old baby barn owl just out of the egg.Must say one of the most amazing experiences ive ever had since i never handled a bird of prey.I am a huge wildlife lover and always wanted to get closer so every chance i have i take it.
And this is how Maya, my barn owl looked like when i first saw her.What an adventure!!!
Basically they eat meat and only meat and DON'T think is burger, beef or steak.And they dont drink water since they get all the moisture from the food and thats why it is VERY IMPORTANT to feed her the proper food.But they DO need a water bowl big enough so they can wash and splash 🙂
To cut the story short i will explain exactly how i am taking care of my owlet and the feeding procedures.
- Food – one day old chicks or small mices
- Accomodation – big cage while the bird is still small so its protected from falling or cold.After 2 – 3 months needs to have an open space or open top cage where it can fly and strech her wings.
- Enviroment – try to create a natural kind of habitat and make sure it is kept in a cosy place without cold or draught passing since they are sensitive.
Now the facts:
I bought an open top cage which has a large door and bottom.From the Pet shop ive got rodent dried grass.I used a big shoes carton box which fits in the cage and fit it in the middle.Around the box i stuffed dry grass minimizing the cold passing trough the cage rails.In the carton box i added on the bottom a thick newspaper and filled the box with dry grass making a large hole in the middle to be exactly like a nest.Around the cage i wrapped a big towel leaving one side of the cage open so she can see around (she is next to a window and also has my 2 lovebirds as neighbors).
Make sure you close the cage door after feeding her and wrapp the towel so she has some nest safety feeling.
As regards to feeding….well you will read so many posts and opinions but basically you wont find a A to Z help list with instructions and it gets really nerving and frustrating and if you really care about the bird you will get worried to the point that checking on it every hour will become a rutine.
Feeding:
While she is very small between 1 and 3 weeks old she will eat 1 chick in the morning and 1 chick in the evening with an interval of approx 8 – 9 hours between the meals.ALWAYS before feeding the bird make sure she regurgitated the pellet formed from the previous meal.Never feed her before regurgitating, since the pellet can get too big or stuck in her abdomen and can die.
Take one frozen chick put it in a plastic bag and in a bowl, add hot water and let it warm up.If the chick gets wet you can dry it with the blow drier but be careful not to feed imediately since the food can be way to hot so let it rest for a couple of minutes and feel it in hand to be just a little bit warm, NOT HOT.Take a scissor and a paper towel.Cut the chick head and claws ( leave only the drumstick) and throw it away.Start chopping up the chick like you cut a normal chicken ( wings, drumsticks,the neck in small pieces) When you get to the body and cut pieces the egg yolk with break and its a bit messy but after a few chicks you will get used to it.Do not feed the egg yolk but give the bird all the other pieces INCLUDING the fair and bones.Without them it wont be able to get the pellet out.
Over 3 weeks old you can start feeding her 1 – 2 chicks in the morning or as much as she takes but dont exceed 2.And feed her again in the evening after rugurgitating the morning pellet also 1 – 2 chicks as much as she takes.When not hungry anymore will refuse the food.Make sure you dont feed her cold or frozen food.Has to be softly warm.
After 4 – 5 weeks old i introduced a little bit of chicken breast or small mice during her meals.In the morning i feed her 2 chicks and very small pieces of chicken breast but not more than 3-4 bites.
In the evening i give her the 2 chicks and a very small mice which is the size of a 1 euro coin.
DONT BE AFRAID TO FEED THE BIRD FROM YOUR PALM.She might pinch but wont remove your hand.
So basically this is how i did it.You can see in the photos how she developed in 5 weeks.I also spend time with her and let her free in the living room so she exercises, stretching wings and screeching at my cat 🙂 but dont forget to keep it on an old towel since it can make some mess.
Also be aware about the noises it does.Sometimes it will drive you nuts but once it eats will swich the sounds and it becomes really sweet and funny.Once fed and back in the nest will stay calm and quiet.
Hungry baby sound or aware of a presence:
This is how it works….it takes common sense and caring.An amazing experience bringing pride to be around such wonderful creatures.
And by the way at around 4 to 5 weeks you will start seeing the first wing feathers and brownish coloring around the face.When its fully grown if dotted (small black dots) on the chest is a female, if the chest is fully white its a male.
Wanna see cute baby owl faces have a look here:
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/news-15-cute-and-fluffy-baby-owls?image=0
Source: https://mirunafalzon.wordpress.com/2012/04/25/barn-owls-how-to-take-care-of-an-owlet-64/
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