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How to Feed Orphaned Chickadees

Most young birds that appear to be orphaned aren't; they have simply fledged from the nest or may have parents away searching for food. If you do have proof that the parents are permanently gone, you can do a few things to help the orphans along. Be forewarned, though; keeping the baby birds even to feed them could be illegal in your state and the mortality rate for these birds is high. Baby chickadees, if still nestlings, need fed every 15 to 30 minutes 24 hours a day. When hand-raised, they will also lose out on learning how to evade predators and forage for themselves, which they normally learn from their parents.

Things You'll Need

All-natural chicken eggs
Vitamin drops
Earthworms or grubs

Instructions

- 1
  Call your local game warden, animal control office or department of natural resources and ask about the legality of raising the orphans yourself. They will almost always tell you to take the birds to a licensed rehabilitation center or to some other experienced, licensed individual or organization. But ask for tips on feeding if it is not illegal to keep the birds and you don't have any option but to take care of them yourself.
- 2
  Hard-boil eggs and chop them finely with the shell. Add small amounts of water until the finely chopped eggs are moist and "squishy." Also add some vitamin drops for birds.
- 3
  Chop and "mush" up earthworms or grubs finely, adding a little water for moistness and consistency.
- 4
  Place small bits of the chopped eggs or worms on a flat toothpick or in between small tweezers.
- 5
  Shake the nesting box lightly to awaken the baby chickadees. Young birds should readily open their eyes and bills in anticipation of feeding.
- 6
  Place the food on the toothpick or in the tweezers inside the baby chickadees' mouths close to the back of their throats (but not all the way down their throats). The babies should quickly eat the food.

Nature