Think I can grow birds in my Refugium?

jaimwolfe · 04/26/2006, 07:39 PM

Tonight I was cutting down all of my dead ornamental grass in my yard tonight and realized a bird had made its nest and laid its eggs in the grass I had just cut down. I know that saying that birds wont come back if they smell humans on the nest is B.S., but I didn't think that the nest being in a totally new space would work out. I put it in a small bucket with a rock and put it in my refugium. I figure it's always 76 to 80 degrees in there and has a light for heat during the night.

I guess I will see what happens!

DaveG99 · 04/26/2006, 07:42 PM

What are you going to do when they hatch?

Nano_reeflover · 04/26/2006, 07:51 PM

Sorry, but the eggs wont make it. I breed parrots, and I know that eggs need a very precise temp for the eggs to survive. I've never had to incubate before, but I am fairly certain that the temp required is around 98 degrees. Whats interesting is that I have read stories of people keeping eggs warm when power goes out by putting them in there bras. If your dedicated enough, I guess you could try and hatch them with body heat lol. Oh and if by chance you get a incubator or somehow keep the eggs at the required temp and they hatch, hand feeding the babies will be very difficult. If you try it, the babies will most likely end up aspirating (food gets into the lungs) and they will die. If would seriously like to try and save these eggs, I would try and find a bird breeder local to you and get their help. Try www.birdsnways.com Look under the breeders section then look for your state.

reeformadness · 04/26/2006, 07:56 PM

Put the eggs back ASAP. They have a better chance of surviving (slim) out there than in your bucket (none).

jaimwolfe · 04/26/2006, 08:19 PM

Hi Nano,

I wondered about that, but the bird was nowhere to be found when I was working there, and it's only 50 degrees today here and the eggs were probably pretty cool since they were still in the nest but open to the air. I will give them a while in there and if they don't hatch, just throw them out.

ReeforMadness, i can't really put them back since I had already cut down the 10' tall ornamental grass the nest was in. There isn't anything there now to put it back into. If I put it on the ground or nearby, squirells or racoons will find them and eat them since it's right by my pond and they visit often.

Shawnts106 · 04/26/2006, 08:30 PM

LOL!
this is funny

Someone thinking they can grow bird eggs at room temp... haha

Ok, question:
Why do you think they SIT on their eggs? for the comfort?
Have you tried sitting on top of a beachball all night?

lol.. so funny to me!

You should have just left the nest outside where it was and NOT cut down the grass near it... untill they hatch and fly away...

haha, Ive heard of tang police, but where are the bird police when you need them!

..oh, sorry for laughing so much.. haha!!!

bonerfortuna · 04/26/2006, 08:31 PM

Sorry for the hijack but nanoreeflover , what kinds do you breed . I have 3 and a Toucan. I love my birds , better than people.

reeformadness · 04/26/2006, 08:36 PM

Funny coincidence. i just had to cut the head off TWO baby birds my cat had mangled outside.

Nano_reeflover · 04/26/2006, 08:38 PM

I used to be really into breeding but I have cut way back because of school and my tank. They're both money hogs so I chose the tank over the birds. Anyway, I have these birds at one time or another: tiels, Bourke parakeets (normal and rosy), Quakers, Lovebirds, Sengals, Kakarikis, budgies, red rumped parakeets, green cheek conures, black cap conures, um... I think thats it lol. Yes I totally agree.. they are much better than people.

birdmom · 04/26/2006, 10:25 PM

I am afraid that I must agree with the above & say that they will not hatch in your fuge. Incubation temps need to be around 100 degree so unless you are willing to turn up the temp they are goners. As long as the incubation process was not started they may still be viable though. I have incubated eggs for years, everything from poultry to small parrot, so if you still have an interest in trying to hatch you can e-mail me for help.
That said, should you choose to incubate, you need to first find out what bird laid the eggs. I assume from the area you found the nest they are very small?? If you could describe the nest & eggs to me, or post a pic, I could likely ID it for you. If you are dealing with very small (Wren or sparrow) don't even bother. they are much to small for someone with no experience to attempt to hand feed.
Also need to know if they are fertile....
Do you have the time to care for them if they hatch?? Keep in mind that you would need to take care of them 24/7. Are you willing to take them to work with you? Are you planning to take any vacations within the next 2mo. Are you willing to take the risk of handraising a wild bird knowing that it must be released & its odds of survival are very low?
I hope that you do not take me as being critical... I am not at all, & would be very willing to help you out if you wish to try to hatch them... A similar incident at the age of 10 is what started me on my passion for birding & keeping parrots. I have done wildlife rehab for years, If I could do it at the age of 10 with absolutely no experience, I would say that you could as well. Let me know if I can be of help. Birdmom

currently Owned by Sidney the African Grey & Little Bird a Budgie that talks & plays fetch.

Chihuahua6 · 04/27/2006, 12:30 PM

Birdmom your post is very informative and interesting. It's nice of you to offer your help and advice. I remember hand feeding a baby Cockatiel that I took home from work after it was tossed out of the nest from the parents. I kept him in a homemade incubator and fed him every couple of hours round the clock. He survived. The difference though was that he was already hatched and destined to be a pet bird.
Shawn I thought your post was rude. jaimwolfe alreay stated that the grass was cut away before the nest was noticed. Why laugh at people like that? It's unreal.
Anyway I hope for the best here. Please keep us posted jaimwolfe.

reef bloke · 04/27/2006, 03:31 PM

I breed parrots too and they need to be turned every hour.So unless your willing to sit and turn them at least 6 times a day(non parrot species) they wont hatch.Or purchase and incubator with auto turn.
Best leave eggs or chicks where they are and let nature take its course unless you are certain you can hatch and rear them.

Kitteness · 04/27/2006, 03:54 PM

I just wanted to tell you that here we have a place called HOWL and they are rehibilitation for wild animals. I used to volunteer there and it was so fun. Anyways I just wanted to say maybe there is a wildlife shelter near you somewhere that you can take the eggs. It is fun to raise baby birds but not 24/7 its just like raising a baby kitten very time consuming. Hope you can find something to help the birdies out!

diddye · 04/27/2006, 04:46 PM

unless you're willing to feed them hourly, forget it....that means waking up in the middle of the night for weeks.

Eugene Ciccimaro · 04/27/2006, 05:28 PM

Strangest question ever

spoiledcats · 04/27/2006, 05:30 PM

I used to have Gouldian finches who bred and let me tell you, if you have any type of finch in those eggs, forget it. Those babies are about an inch long when they hatch and feeding them is very difficult for anyone other than another finch. It may be more humane to let the eggs die than to hatch them and then have the babies die. I know it sounds cruel, but that's nature. If you do decide to go for it, contact an avian veteranarian who can give you some guidance.

Scuba_Dave · 04/27/2006, 05:38 PM

Got bacon?

birdmom · 04/27/2006, 07:10 PM

hello again,
I just had a few thoughts for the nest & eggs & other input. First is it highly unlikely that a rehab center would take the eggs unless they are some rare or endangered species.
But I did think of a viable solution. As it is the beginning of nesting season the birds may not have begun incubation. You did not state how many eggs there were but it is possible it was not a full clutch. Either way, the birds will just begin a new nest & start over. Instead of tossing the eggs you could look for a new nest & pop them in. Of course try to find a nest that closely resembles the nest you found them in. If you candle the eggs & see no sign of development, they can bee stored in a cool place (not the refrigerator) for no more than 14days. A nest with no more than 2 eggs would be ideal. Good luck.

reef bloke: What type of parrots do you breed?

reef bloke · 04/28/2006, 09:35 AM

Hiya Birdmom
We breed Greys,Grand Eclectus,Chestnut fronted macaws(Severes),Hawk heads and Hahns Macaws.
Regards Tony

04/26/2006, 07:39 PM	#1
jaimwolfe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Indiana Posts: 70	Think I can grow birds in my Refugium? Tonight I was cutting down all of my dead ornamental grass in my yard tonight and realized a bird had made its nest and laid its eggs in the grass I had just cut down. I know that saying that birds wont come back if they smell humans on the nest is B.S., but I didn't think that the nest being in a totally new space would work out. I put it in a small bucket with a rock and put it in my refugium. I figure it's always 76 to 80 degrees in there and has a light for heat during the night. I guess I will see what happens! __________________ 180 AGA RR SPS / Mixed Reef - OM8way with Barracuda CL, 3-250W DE 12K's, 640W VHO, Dart as main return pump, ZeroDOC180c Beckett Skimmer, DIY Calcium Reactor Current Tank Info: 180 AGA Reef SPS / Mixed

04/26/2006, 08:19 PM	#5
jaimwolfe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Indiana Posts: 70	Hi Nano, I wondered about that, but the bird was nowhere to be found when I was working there, and it's only 50 degrees today here and the eggs were probably pretty cool since they were still in the nest but open to the air. I will give them a while in there and if they don't hatch, just throw them out. ReeforMadness, i can't really put them back since I had already cut down the 10' tall ornamental grass the nest was in. There isn't anything there now to put it back into. If I put it on the ground or nearby, squirells or racoons will find them and eat them since it's right by my pond and they visit often. __________________ 180 AGA RR SPS / Mixed Reef - OM8way with Barracuda CL, 3-250W DE 12K's, 640W VHO, Dart as main return pump, ZeroDOC180c Beckett Skimmer, DIY Calcium Reactor Current Tank Info: 180 AGA Reef SPS / Mixed

04/26/2006, 08:30 PM	#6
Shawnts106 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,436	LOL! this is funny Someone thinking they can grow bird eggs at room temp... haha Ok, question: Why do you think they SIT on their eggs? for the comfort? Have you tried sitting on top of a beachball all night? lol.. so funny to me! You should have just left the nest outside where it was and NOT cut down the grass near it... untill they hatch and fly away... haha, Ive heard of tang police, but where are the bird police when you need them! ..oh, sorry for laughing so much.. haha!!! __________________ Love yourself! NO MATTER WHAT! Current Tank Info: Currently out of the hobby

04/26/2006, 08:31 PM	#7
bonerfortuna Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Staten Island NY Posts: 333	Sorry for the hijack but nanoreeflover , what kinds do you breed . I have 3 and a Toucan. I love my birds , better than people. __________________ Peter Current Tank Info: 70 Semi-Circle reef with a 50 Sump

04/27/2006, 12:30 PM	#11
Chihuahua6 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Hempstead, NY Posts: 2,124	Birdmom your post is very informative and interesting. It's nice of you to offer your help and advice. I remember hand feeding a baby Cockatiel that I took home from work after it was tossed out of the nest from the parents. I kept him in a homemade incubator and fed him every couple of hours round the clock. He survived. The difference though was that he was already hatched and destined to be a pet bird. Shawn I thought your post was rude. jaimwolfe alreay stated that the grass was cut away before the nest was noticed. Why laugh at people like that? It's unreal. Anyway I hope for the best here. Please keep us posted jaimwolfe. __________________ Leah Amanda Current Tank Info: First salt tank 1985, current tank 150 g acrylic

04/26/2006, 07:42 PM	#2
DaveG99 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Forney Texas Posts: 1,597	What are you going to do when they hatch?

04/26/2006, 07:51 PM	#3
Nano_reeflover Reefer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 449	Sorry, but the eggs wont make it. I breed parrots, and I know that eggs need a very precise temp for the eggs to survive. I've never had to incubate before, but I am fairly certain that the temp required is around 98 degrees. Whats interesting is that I have read stories of people keeping eggs warm when power goes out by putting them in there bras. If your dedicated enough, I guess you could try and hatch them with body heat lol. Oh and if by chance you get a incubator or somehow keep the eggs at the required temp and they hatch, hand feeding the babies will be very difficult. If you try it, the babies will most likely end up aspirating (food gets into the lungs) and they will die. If would seriously like to try and save these eggs, I would try and find a bird breeder local to you and get their help. Try www.birdsnways.com Look under the breeders section then look for your state.

04/26/2006, 07:56 PM	#4
reeformadness Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gulfport, MS Posts: 650	Put the eggs back ASAP. They have a better chance of surviving (slim) out there than in your bucket (none).

04/26/2006, 08:36 PM	#8
reeformadness Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gulfport, MS Posts: 650	Funny coincidence. i just had to cut the head off TWO baby birds my cat had mangled outside.

04/26/2006, 08:38 PM	#9
Nano_reeflover Reefer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 449	I used to be really into breeding but I have cut way back because of school and my tank. They're both money hogs so I chose the tank over the birds. Anyway, I have these birds at one time or another: tiels, Bourke parakeets (normal and rosy), Quakers, Lovebirds, Sengals, Kakarikis, budgies, red rumped parakeets, green cheek conures, black cap conures, um... I think thats it lol. Yes I totally agree.. they are much better than people.

04/26/2006, 10:25 PM	#10
birdmom Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: nd Posts: 4	I am afraid that I must agree with the above & say that they will not hatch in your fuge. Incubation temps need to be around 100 degree so unless you are willing to turn up the temp they are goners. As long as the incubation process was not started they may still be viable though. I have incubated eggs for years, everything from poultry to small parrot, so if you still have an interest in trying to hatch you can e-mail me for help. That said, should you choose to incubate, you need to first find out what bird laid the eggs. I assume from the area you found the nest they are very small?? If you could describe the nest & eggs to me, or post a pic, I could likely ID it for you. If you are dealing with very small (Wren or sparrow) don't even bother. they are much to small for someone with no experience to attempt to hand feed. Also need to know if they are fertile.... Do you have the time to care for them if they hatch?? Keep in mind that you would need to take care of them 24/7. Are you willing to take them to work with you? Are you planning to take any vacations within the next 2mo. Are you willing to take the risk of handraising a wild bird knowing that it must be released & its odds of survival are very low? I hope that you do not take me as being critical... I am not at all, & would be very willing to help you out if you wish to try to hatch them... A similar incident at the age of 10 is what started me on my passion for birding & keeping parrots. I have done wildlife rehab for years, If I could do it at the age of 10 with absolutely no experience, I would say that you could as well. Let me know if I can be of help. Birdmom currently Owned by Sidney the African Grey & Little Bird a Budgie that talks & plays fetch.

04/27/2006, 03:31 PM	#12
reef bloke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 270	I breed parrots too and they need to be turned every hour.So unless your willing to sit and turn them at least 6 times a day(non parrot species) they wont hatch.Or purchase and incubator with auto turn. Best leave eggs or chicks where they are and let nature take its course unless you are certain you can hatch and rear them.

04/27/2006, 03:54 PM	#13
Kitteness Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: everett Posts: 112	I just wanted to tell you that here we have a place called HOWL and they are rehibilitation for wild animals. I used to volunteer there and it was so fun. Anyways I just wanted to say maybe there is a wildlife shelter near you somewhere that you can take the eggs. It is fun to raise baby birds but not 24/7 its just like raising a baby kitten very time consuming. Hope you can find something to help the birdies out! __________________ Curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back! Current Tank Info: do mainly half reef and half community

04/27/2006, 04:46 PM	#14
diddye Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: So. Cal-Cerritos Posts: 370	unless you're willing to feed them hourly, forget it....that means waking up in the middle of the night for weeks.

04/27/2006, 05:28 PM	#15
Eugene Ciccimaro Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Outside Phila. Posts: 136	Strangest question ever __________________ I think its becoming a mental disorder. Current Tank Info: 50g display, 10g sump, 10g fug, PC orbit

04/27/2006, 05:30 PM	#16
spoiledcats Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lehigh Valley Posts: 622	I used to have Gouldian finches who bred and let me tell you, if you have any type of finch in those eggs, forget it. Those babies are about an inch long when they hatch and feeding them is very difficult for anyone other than another finch. It may be more humane to let the eggs die than to hatch them and then have the babies die. I know it sounds cruel, but that's nature. If you do decide to go for it, contact an avian veteranarian who can give you some guidance.

04/27/2006, 05:38 PM	#17
Scuba_Dave EMERTXE YID Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Asylum, South of Boston, MA Posts: 10,362	Got bacon?

04/27/2006, 07:10 PM	#18
birdmom Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: nd Posts: 4	hello again, I just had a few thoughts for the nest & eggs & other input. First is it highly unlikely that a rehab center would take the eggs unless they are some rare or endangered species. But I did think of a viable solution. As it is the beginning of nesting season the birds may not have begun incubation. You did not state how many eggs there were but it is possible it was not a full clutch. Either way, the birds will just begin a new nest & start over. Instead of tossing the eggs you could look for a new nest & pop them in. Of course try to find a nest that closely resembles the nest you found them in. If you candle the eggs & see no sign of development, they can bee stored in a cool place (not the refrigerator) for no more than 14days. A nest with no more than 2 eggs would be ideal. Good luck. reef bloke: What type of parrots do you breed?

04/28/2006, 09:35 AM	#19
reef bloke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 270	Hiya Birdmom We breed Greys,Grand Eclectus,Chestnut fronted macaws(Severes),Hawk heads and Hahns Macaws. Regards Tony