If you ever found a freshly hatched chick abandoned by its parents, what would you do? First, you have to locate its nest and put it back in. If you were not able to find the nest and you are not a professional having the proper training to care for an injured animal, it’s best advised that you take it to the nearest wildlife rehabilitation center.
Imgur user DachsUndDachshund, a trained veterinarian came across with an abandoned young bird that her brother found on the sidewalk and what they have done for this little birdie was pretty awesome.
Day 1: The Abandoned Chick
This freshly hatched chick was found abandoned on the sidewalk with some shell and dried membranes still attached to its body. They decided to hand raise this baby after failing to locate the nest where it belonged.
Day 2: In The Incubator
Named as “Dumpling”, the little chick was kept in incubator with a carefully controlled humidity and temperature.
Day 3: The Feeding
Baby Dumpling was fed every with crickets, mealworms, waxworms, caught insects, and a commercially available liquid formula for chicks just as her real mother would feed her.
Day 4: The Wing Feathers
She has developed feathers on her wings and started to squawk for food ever 30-45 minutes. She even had the instinct to poop over the side of the nest so as not to dirty it.
Day 5: Sitting On Her Chest
Dumpling was able to sit on her chest and has grown more feathers overnight.
Day 6: Development Of The Wings
Dumpling continued to develop her wings, but were still encased in a protective sheath that would soon break apart to allow the wings to expand when it has reach its final size.
Day 7: From A Chick To A Bird
Dumpling has transformed overnight from a delicate chick into a beautiful bird.
Day 8: Increasing Appetite
Her appetite increases as her body grows; she is not satisfied with less than three large crickets and waxworms for every feeding.
Day 9: Out Of The Incubator
Fully covered with feathers, Dumpling is now able to regulate her body heat on her own. She’s finally out of the incubator.
Day 10: New Home
Dumpling has moved into her new and more conventional home which was filled with fun stuff for her to explore.
Day 11: On To The Perch
For the first time, Dumpling was able to officially perch. Though her lack of tail made the balancing difficult, her strong grip helped her to hold herself up.
Day 12: A Taste For Seeds
She loves perching on her foster parents’ hands and has been developing a taste for seeds, an important factor for a balanced diet.
Day 13: Improved Perching Skills
Dumpling’s strength and balance has improved making her perch very well and her development is just right on time for a 2-weeks-old bird.
Day 14: On To Maturity
She’s now starting to look more mature with the disappearance of her baby feathers.
Day 17: In An Environmental Cage
Now that she’s in a larger cage, Dumpling wider playground; flying, hopping and perching on freshly cut branches.
Day 22: First View Of The Outside World
Dumpling got her first view of the sun and the feel of the wind. She also got to socialize with other birds who come to the feeders and interact with her.
Day 23: The Indentity
With her wonderfully patterned feathers, Dumpling is thought to be either a White Crowned Sparrow or a Chipping Sparrow, both of which are migratory birds.
Day 25: The Beautiful Transformation
It’s wonderful to see how beautiful Dumling has become. She’ll surely blend perfectly among the tress once she’s out there.
Day 27: Becoming Independent
Dumpling has lost its taste on crickets and opted to seed and worm-based diet. She’s also becoming more independent as she won’t let her human parents feed her.
Day 29: Leafy Branches And Tree Buds
Every time fresh leafy branches are put in her cage, Dumpling would then go hunt for tree buds which is a large part of their diet in the wild.
Day 33: Ready For Release
By this time, dumpling is already well-prepared and ready to be released. But then, an expected storm extended her stay.
Day 36: Time To Say Goodbye
The day has finally come when Dumpling would have to leave her adopted family and be free to wander the place where she belongs.
Bye, Dumpling!
With a little luck and a lot of love, Dumpling whose chance of survival is thin, was given a blessed opportunity to live. And finally, she’s now out in the wild, free to be what she’s meant to be.
Please share this amazing story and take DachsUndDachshund advice that “you shouldn’t try to raise wildlife unless you’re trained to.”
