baby coot?

Re: baby coot?

A Little TLC — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 20:14:35 GMT

So sorry I didn't get back to you in time, I was snowed in at work!! x

Re: baby coot?

Tracy Windler RVN — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 13:16:07 GMT

Yes, grebe's are rather ugly things when young! Make a horrible continual, plaintive cry in the wild.

I've always noticed that baby coots look more like moorhens and vice-versa. So that always throws me. There are also dab-chicks, which are Little Grebe's, so could have been an adult- about the size of a baby coot fully grown.

I'd love to do my exotics certificate, such interesting stuff!

Re: baby coot?

Royalsuper_fairy — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 11:30:59 GMT

Thanks guys! I think from doing a bit of research that it may have been a grebe rather than a coot. He/she did really well and dad released without a problem and has been keeping an eye out at work for him/her and hasn't noticed any problems so far.

Re: baby coot?

Caro Laithwaite VN — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 03:46:20 GMT

AD is a good all round emergency food for all if that is a help.

Re: baby coot?

Royalsuper_fairy — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:12:05 GMT

Thanks for the advice, managed to get hold a friend who deals with a lot of wildlife and popped over to see my dad and the little one who wasn't as young as my dad made out. I gave him some baytril as advised and some food - was as bright as a button.

Thanks again!

Re: baby coot?

Carli Dodd — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:57:30 GMT

Coots eat vegetation, snails and insect larvae in the wild, so if it will take bits from you then that's where to start. If it's not eating then start with critical care formula and either crop tube or drip feed it in until it passes urine/urates. Once you've got fluids coming thru you can start to introduce something a bit more solid. Harrisons recovery formula will do as a temporary measure or if you fancy liquidising some mealworms/wax worms that will work too. Often birds will start to eat once they have a bit of something in their crop.

Keep it nice and warm, and have food and water available even if it's not taking anything voluntarily.

Good luck

Re: baby coot?

Geniverger — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:09:43 GMT

Call a wildlife rescue centre, even if you can't take the little guy there - They'll be able to give you advice depending on the species and injuries and hopefully you can stabilise the little fluffball and get him on the mend. Wildlife Aid in Surrey and The South Essex Wildlife Hospital have helped me greatly in the past when it came to rescuing wild birds.

Re: baby coot?

Tracy Windler RVN — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:07:38 GMT

I'll just reply to bump up your post, then, as I'm sure there are people on here much better at wildlife nursing than I am. Good luck with the little guy xx

Re: baby coot?

Royalsuper_fairy — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 14:42:18 GMT

Havn't got any one close :(

Hence trying get to advice.

Thanks

Re: baby coot?

Tracy Windler RVN — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 14:37:35 GMT

I was told that most wild birds who are injured/hand reared die of dehydration. So fluids per os are important. Do you have a local rescue centre nearby? I would always try to send them to the experts if I can-as long as you know they are reputable!