Help with baby house martins

**neepnipper** · 03-Jul-07, 09:06

Oh my! Just gone outside and found one of the house martins nests above my kitchen window has collapsed, amongst the debris I've found 5 live chicks (along with 5 dead ones). I've put them in an incubator and they are moving quite well considering when I put them in there they were hardly moving at all.

Now I know the chances are they'll die but I couldn't just leave them there, but what shall I feed them, I know house martins eat insects and I can get some dried insects from work later on this afternoon but what can I give them for now? Worms? They're asking for food so I need to give them something, help please!

**©Amethyst** · 03-Jul-07, 09:11

This PDF might be helpful... not sure though.

http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/bwi/p...%20Martins.pdf

**©Amethyst** · 03-Jul-07, 09:14

had another read through that - actually seems to give some good suggestions on what to feed them

**neepnipper** · 03-Jul-07, 09:25

That's brilliant, thank you. Mum is stll flying around and keeps swooping in so hubbie is going to make a box later to put up and I'll put the babies in there, I've just put some eggs on to boil so I can feed them for now.

**©Amethyst** · 03-Jul-07, 09:26

Please keep us updated!

**MadPict** · 03-Jul-07, 10:26

If you do provide a new box it might be an idea to place the original nest material in it (if you haven't already thought of this) and keep the handling of the chicks to a minimum as the parents may reject the chicks when you stick them back in.

If this is covered in PDF sorry but no time to read it...

**neepnipper** · 03-Jul-07, 11:15

I've put the nesting material in the incubator and they've just had a feed of egg yolk mixed to a paste with water, they were very hungry and now they've all gone to sleep!

**helenwyler** · 03-Jul-07, 13:27

Well done neepnipper! Are the parents still around?

Or are you a prospective new mum and dad?

**neepnipper** · 03-Jul-07, 19:01

Hubbie has made a box and put it where the nest was, the babies are in it, there are loads of house martins swooping around and coming in for a look so hopefully one will go in soon.

**paris** · 03-Jul-07, 19:27

well done you !! jan x

**neepnipper** · 04-Jul-07, 08:38

By 10 o'clock last night there was no sign of mum going in to babies so took them out and they are now in a hospital cage snug and warm and feeding quite happily, just have to see how it goes!

**lynne duncan** · 04-Jul-07, 08:39

please keep us updated, hope everything goes well

**Liz** · 04-Jul-07, 13:24

Well done for looking after them. Handy you have an incubator!

Sounds like you are Mum now!

**Ricco** · 04-Jul-07, 20:09

Well done, Neeps. You may have found a new job as wild animal carer.

Do keep us updated.

**stratman** · 04-Jul-07, 20:54

How are they doing Neenipper?

**neepnipper** · 04-Jul-07, 22:18

They seem fine, eager to eat and I'm now feeding them cooked egg yolk, meal worms and dried insects, fingers crossed!

**MadPict** · 05-Jul-07, 00:20

Teaching them to fly might be a bit difficult

**Margaret M.** · 05-Jul-07, 00:40

The birdies may not have built a very secure nest but they did a good job choosing where to build it. Well done, neepnipper, and I hope the remaining babies survive.

**Ricco** · 05-Jul-07, 20:04

Originally Posted by Margaret M.

The birdies may not have built a very secure nest but they did a good job choosing where to build it. Well done, neepnipper, and I hope the remaining babies survive.

I think Neeps has her own virtual wings... a little angel in disguise. Well done Neeps!