Baby owl struggling to survive

This frail baby owl was brought in today and was looking very weak when he first arrived.  He was found by a kind hearted lady who saw him on the groound and at risk from predators.  When baby owls are not moving around it’s usually because they are unwell or too weak to escape. We don’t know how long he had been there.  If baby owls are in good condition they should be put on the branch of as tall a tree as you can manage or on a high ledge.  Mum will find them and come and feed her baby no matter where he is, they don’t have to be in a next.

This little fella was beyond that and so was brought in to us to see if he could be saved.  Thanks to Pat and the kind hearted people who took the time to bring him to us.   He was dehydrated so the first priority was food – owls get their fluids from raw meat which needs to have feather or fur on it.  This is natural for them and what they can digest.  We keep dead day old chicks in the freezer for such an emergency so one was quickly defrosted.

It’s the moment of truth when you try to feed a baby owl – if they won’t feed willingly then survival is more precarious.   This little owl was ready for a meal though and ate hungrily.  At this age he has to be hand fed, so that he will open his beak when food is in front of it is a reall bonus.  We’ve cut the chick up and fed him the soft parts and he’s taken them well.   We’re keeping him warm, he’s had two feeds already (a good sign) and we’re willing this small precious and beautiful baby to survive ……

Looking a bit better ….