Barn owls, with their heart-shaped faces and haunting calls, are a familiar sight in many rural landscapes. There may be rare instances where these ethereal creatures require human intervention for short-term care, whether due to injury, dehydration, or other emergencies. In such times, having a basic understanding of their needs can make a world of difference.

This guide will offer insights into providing short-term care for a wild barn owl, ensuring its wellbeing until professional help can be obtained.

Providing Short-Term Care for a Wild Barn Owl

1. Safety First: Always wear gloves when handling wild owls. Their talons are sharp, and they may be stressed or scared.
2. Quiet Environment: Place the owl in a well-ventilated, darkened cardboard box with a towel or cloth at the bottom. This reduces stress and prevents injury.
3. Minimize Handling: Limit your interactions to avoid stressing the owl. Stress can exacerbate injuries or underlying issues.
4. Stay Warm: If the owl appears cold, provide a mild heat source like a warm water bottle wrapped in a cloth. Ensure it’s not too hot, and the owl can move away if needed.
5. Hydration: Do not attempt to give the owl water or food unless advised by a professional. Incorrect feeding can cause harm.
6. Seek Expertise: Your primary goal should be to get the owl to a wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian experienced with birds of prey as soon as possible. They will provide the necessary care and decide when, or if, the owl can be released back into the wild.

Re-hydrating the Owl

One of the first tasks in providing short-term care for a wild barn owl is re-hydrating the bird. Unlike other animals, owls rarely drink water and obtain most of their fluid from their food. However, dehydration can still occur, which can lead to organ failure and even death in owls. To rehydrate the owl, there are a few methods that can be used.

One method of re-hydration is using a syringe and tube to administer water or a glucose solution directly into the owl’s mouth. This can be done carefully to ensure that the owl swallows the fluid and does not choke. Another method is using a small soft paintbrush or dropper to gently apply the fluid to the owl’s beak. This can help stimulate swallowing and increase fluid intake.

Administering Glucose Solution

Administering a glucose solution to the owl is another important step in providing short-term care. Glucose is essential for energy, and providing it to the owl can help boost its strength and overall health.

Similar to re-hydrating the owl, a syringe and tube can be used to administer the glucose solution directly into the owl’s beak. This ensures that the owl receives the necessary amount of glucose. Alternatively, a small soft paintbrush or dropper can be used to apply the solution to the owl’s beak, encouraging the bird to swallow it.

Fluid Intake for Owls

In short-term care for a wild barn owl, ensuring adequate fluid intake is crucial for the bird’s survival. Owls require a certain amount of fluid to maintain their bodily functions and stay healthy.

Ideally, owls should be given around 10 ml of fluid to ensure they are properly hydrated. This can be divided into smaller portions throughout the day, depending on the owl’s condition.

In short-term care, it is important to closely monitor the owl’s fluid intake. If the owl is not drinking enough or showing signs of dehydration, additional steps may need to be taken, such as force-feeding or using the syringe and tube method to ensure the owl receives the necessary fluids.

Feeding an Adult Owl

Feeding an adult owl in short-term care may require force-feeding due to the bird’s weakened condition. This is necessary to provide the owl with the essential nutrients it needs to recover.

Force-feeding should be seen as a necessary step in the short-term care of an adult owl, especially if the bird is unable or unwilling to eat voluntarily. By gently opening the owl’s beak and pushing small pieces of food into the back of its throat, force-feeding can ensure that the owl receives the nutrition it needs to regain its strength.

When force-feeding an owl, it is important to be gentle and patient. Using small pieces of food that are easy to swallow and pushing them to the back of the throat can ensure that the owl is able to swallow and digest the food properly. It is also important to monitor the owl’s response and adjust the feeding technique accordingly.

Feeding Nestlings

Nestlings, or young owls that are not yet able to fly, require special attention when it comes to feeding. In short-term care, nestlings may start eating voluntarily within 12 hours.

Nestlings typically start eating voluntarily within 12 hours of being placed in short-term care. During this time, it is important to monitor their eating patterns and ensure they are getting enough food.

Keeping a close eye on the eating patterns of nestlings is crucial. If a nestling is not eating or showing signs of weakness, additional steps may need to be taken to ensure they receive enough nourishment.

As nestlings grow stronger, they will gradually become less dependent on force-feeding. It is important to monitor their progress and adjust their feeding routine accordingly. Eventually, they should be able to eat voluntarily without the need for force-feeding.

Ideal Food for a Casualty Owl

When providing short-term care for a wild barn owl, it is important to choose the ideal food that will provide the necessary nutrients for the bird’s recovery.

Dead small mammals such as mice and young rats are the best food for a casualty owl. These animals closely resemble the owl’s natural prey and provide the necessary nutrients for the bird’s recovery.

If it is not possible to provide fresh small mammals, dead day-old poultry chicks can be used as a staple diet for the owl. These chicks are readily available and can be a good alternative source of nutrition.

When feeding a wild barn owl in short-term care, it is important to avoid cooked meat, canned pet food, and non-meat food. These items do not provide the necessary nutrition for the owl’s recovery and may even be harmful to its health.

To further grasp the intricacies of their life, the Barn Owls Guide is indispensable. Insights on their habitat and dwelling, as seen in Barn Owls’ Habitat, add depth to our understanding. As always, the main Barn Owl page serves as the nexus for comprehensive owl information.

Food Recommendations for Different Owl Species

Different species of owls have specific dietary requirements. When providing short-term care for a wild barn owl, it is important to consider the food recommendations for different owl species.

For adult barn owls, long-eared owls, and short-eared owls, it is recommended to provide approximately 2 chicks or 4 mice per 24 hours. This will ensure that these owl species receive the necessary nutrition for their recovery.

Tawny owls, on the other hand, should have 3 chicks or 6 mice per 24 hours. This species has slightly higher dietary requirements compared to other owls.

Little owls have smaller dietary requirements and should be provided with 1-2 chicks or 2-3 mice per 24 hours.

Preparing Food for the Owl

Proper food preparation is essential when providing short-term care for a wild barn owl. This ensures that the owl’s dietary needs are met and that the food is safe for consumption.

When preparing food for the owl, it is important to cut white or yellow-colored food items into smaller pieces. This makes it easier for the owl to consume and digest.

The food should be placed close to the owl, ensuring that it is within reach. The innards of the food should be facing up. This mimics the natural feeding position of the owl and makes it more enticing for the bird.

By placing the innards of the food facing up, the owl is more likely to recognize it as a potential food source. This can help stimulate the owl’s appetite and encourage voluntary eating.

Hygiene and Feeding Techniques

Proper hygiene and feeding techniques are crucial when providing short-term care for a wild barn owl. These practices help to prevent contamination and ensure the owl’s health and well-being.

To prevent contamination, it is important to handle food and feeding utensils with clean hands. Any uneaten food should be removed promptly to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Feeding techniques should be gentle to prevent obstruction in the owl’s digestive system. Care should be taken to ensure that the owl swallows the food properly and does not choke.

Proper feeding techniques include gently opening the owl’s beak and placing small pieces of food at the back of the throat. This allows the owl to swallow the food easily and ensures proper digestion.

By following these guidelines for providing short-term care for a wild barn owl, you can help ensure the bird’s recovery and eventual release back into the wild. Remember to always consult with wildlife professionals for specific advice and guidance when caring for injured or orphaned owls.