Whisper and Ghost's "Runt" :-)

Whisper and Ghost's "runt" baby is making a lot of progress! I can see that it's grown a bit, and it's pin feathers are getting longer. Yay! I've named it Muffin, and its larger siblings are Biscuit and Bagel. ha ha :-)

I'm not 100% sure that Whisper is feeding Muffin. If she is, it's probably not enough to survive, much less thrive. The handfeeding supplements are definitely helping, and are probably the only reason the little thing is still hanging in there. :-) I just "topped of its tank" for the night ... it's one stuffed little bird right now! ... and will feed it again at 5am and 9am. Luckily it's old enough that it can make it without us having to wake up and feed it. Whisper *may* be feeding it a little during the day, too, while we're asleep, but I'm not sure. :-)

It's two larger siblings should be leaving the nest within a week or so, and I'm not sure how Whisper will handle feeding Muffin after that. On one hand, the larger siblings being out of the nest will eliminate the problem of Muffin being accidentally overlooked at mealtime. Its siblings out-beg it and it gets squooshed down to the bottom of the nest. Without them in there, Whisper will be able to see and feed Muffin. On the other hand, once the others are out of the nest, Whisper may think her job is all-but-done, and may forget that there's still a baby in the nest.

I guess we'll just have to see how it goes. For now, I'm leaving Muffin in the nest box, since its feathered siblings are keeping it warm. Once they leave the nest, if Muffin's not feathered enough to maintain its body temperature, I'll have to keep it warm in an incubator or under a light bulb until its feathers fully come in. :-)

It sounds like a lot of trouble, but it's very rewarding to see that little nekkid baby eating like a little piggy and starting to grow feathers. It's very much worth it! :-)