❗ Care Routine for Baby Barn Swallow?

[SomeAssemblyRequired]

hi!! This is mildly urgent.

TL;DR, Has anyone successfully raised a baby barn swallow, and can give me advice about a proper feeding schedule, proper feeding amounts, and what to feed it?


We have a barn swallow nest at the top of our chimney. Occasionally, baby birds fall down it and we release them outside again to fly back to their nests. However, I believe it was yesterday morning, I heard chirping sounds from the chimney. I looked inside and didn't see the bird.

But this morning I looked actually did find the baby bird, and it has not grown enough feathers to be able to fly yet. (I would guess it's probably on day 9. I'm not sure.)

I cannot put it back in the nest, nobody nearby can help me, and I'm not sure if the chick is loud enough to call to its parents from the closest and highest spot to the chimney, because it's a little far away. Putting it on the roof is impossible, and we have cats, so I can't put it on the ground. I think that my only option is to care for it until it can properly fly.

Currently, I have it in a box filled with paper shreds, and an attempt at a makeshift nest.

Judging from my experience raising baby chickens, I think it's old enough to eat mealworms, but I am unsure as to what to do really. Do I also need to teach it to drink water?

Please help!! Thank you.
- SomeAssemblyRequired

 

[nuthatched]

Its a nice thought.
Put it outside, close to the nest as you can. Let nature take its course.
Unfortunately, barn swallows are nothing like chicken chicks, it will be almost impossible to raise.
They are also protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 which prohibits disturbing the birds, their nests, or chicks.
Put it outside. What happens, happens.

 

[cassie]

I don't know anything about barn swallows, but I have raised a lot of baby birds. The rehab unit near me told me to feed baby birds dog food, either canned or softened dry. I just put it on my finger and put it in their mouth. It has been so many years since I raised them that I don't remember what all I fed them when they were ready to fly. I would hang their cage in a tree and open the door. When they were ready to fly, they did. I left the cage there. Sometimes they would come back and sometimes they didn't. I never paid much attention to regulations. I just did what I thought was right. I fed them whenever they opened their mouths. I did not feed them after dark, but I started feeding them again once it was light and then every couple hours or so throughout the day.

 

[CCsGarden]

Do you still need help?

 

[CCsGarden]

Can you give it warm oats? Do not give it plan water it will kill it. Pls let me know if you need any more help. I've raised many baby birds

 

[BigBlueHen53]

They are also protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 which prohibits disturbing the birds, their nests, or chicks.
Put it outside. What happens, happens.

Sorry, it is illegal to interfere.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

The best and actually only thing you can legally do is contact you area's Wildlife Rehab Office, whatever that may be called, perhaps your state's Conservation Office, and have them come get it. Certified rehabbers will know how to care for it.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Also, you should be able to find a grate to put over or around your chimney to prevent birds from falling in.

 

[cassie]

Sorry, it is illegal to interfere.

So what? If animal needs help, I will help it. Of course, I used to live in an area where no one was around to report me even if they were so inclined. I did bother to find out what the requirements for any critter I had were in order to prepare them to live on their own.

 

[CCsGarden]

If animal needs help, I will help it.