Feeding baby birds, whether they are wild or domesticated, can be a rewarding experience. Their dietary needs are different from those of adult birds, but they will also eat mealworms. But you have to do it properly so they get the right amount of nutrients. The good news is that the process is straightforward.
Baby birds prefer to eat live mealworms because it stimulates their hunting instinct. They can be fed 3-10 mealworms depending on their size.
Mealworms are a popular choice for baby birds due to their high protein content and easy availability. Before feeding, we need to go over the benefits of feeding them mealworms, how many and often. I will also tackle the topic of whether baby birds prefer live or dried mealworms.
Why Mealworms are Good for Baby Birds
Mealworms are often fed to reptiles, chickens and adult birds. But I also feed them to baby birds because there are so many benefits. Here are just some of them.
- High protein content. Mealworms are an excellent source of protein, which is essential for the growth and development of baby birds. Protein is also necessary for muscle development, feather growth, and overall health.
- Nutrient rich: Mealworms are rich in fat, vitamins and minerals. These nutrients help support the energy needs of growing birds and provide a balanced diet.
- Easy to digest: Mealworms are easy for baby birds to digest because they are soft. They are less likely to cause digestive problems compared to other foods.
- Readily available: Mealworms are widely available in pet stores, online, or can even be raised at home with minimal effort. This makes them a convenient choice for bird enthusiasts and they are even ideal for fishing.
- Good for different bird species: Feeding baby birds with mealworms can attract a diverse range of bird species to your backyard. If you want to attract different birds, this is one way to do it.
How Many Mealworms to Feed Baby Birds?
There is no single answer for this question because birds have different needs. Here are some common and popular birds that might show up in your backyard. You can use this as a guide for what to feed other birds that show up.
Songbirds (Passerines)
Songbirds such as sparrows, finches and robins, require frequent feedings throughout the day. Their hatchlings need small amounts of food every 20-30 minutes, which can be gradually increased as they grow. You can give them 5-10 mealworms per feeding session. Increase the quantity slowly as they grow.
Nestling Parrots and Parakeets
Baby parrots and parakeets will benefit from a diverse diet that includes fruits and vegetables. There are also formulated baby bird food available for them. You can also give them 3-4 mealworms per feeding alongside other food sources.
Insectivorous Birds
Some bird species, like bluebirds, wrens, and warblers have an insect-based diet. These can consume a larger number of mealworms, typically 10-15 mealworms. You may increase the amount as the birds grow.
Waterfowl
For ducks, geese, or swans, around 3-5 mealworms is sufficient. This assumes they are fed with other foods suitable for waterfowls. Small waterfowls eat small amounts but frequently. As they get older, they start to eat greater amounts but less often.
Birds of Prey (Raptors)
Baby birds of prey such as hawks and owls, have different dietary requirements. Mealworms can be part of their diet, but it should be balanced with other prey like mice and insects. If you happen to see young hawks or other birds of prey, just leave a few mealworms for them to feed on.
Considerations
If you are raising baby birds, monitor their growth and development carefully. Adjust their diet accordingly depending on their growth. This will vary by species,, so some birds might eat more mealworms than others.
Baby birds should be fed until they are fully feathered and ready to fledge. At this point, you can start to move them to an adult diet.
I want to add that birds should not rely solely on mealworms for their nutrition. It’s best to provide them with a balanced diet. I cannot cover all bird types but with the examples given here, you should have an idea of what to feed them.
How Often to Feed Baby Birds?
The frequency depends on their age, species and availability of the parent birds (if they are being cared for by their parents). Here are some general guidelines:
Hatchlings (0-3 days old): Hatchlings need to be fed every 20-30 minutes throughout the day. As they grow, you can gradually increase the time between feedings.
Nestlings (3-14 days old): Nestlings require regular feedings every 1-2 hours during daylight hours. As they become older and more independent, you can decrease the frequency to every 2-3 hours.
Fledglings (14-28 days old): Fledgling can be fed every 3-4 hours. At this stage, they may start exploring their environment and practice flying.
Transition to Independence: As baby birds become more independent and begin to feed themselves, you can gradually reduce the frequency of feedings. You can still give them mealworms, but I would add other foods in their diet which are natural to their habitat.
I have to add that baby birds require warmth when they eat. This is especially true their parent birds are not available. You can use a small container lined with a soft, non-slippery material such as a paper towel. You can use other materials as long as it is suitable for these birds.
Live vs. Dried Mealworms for Baby Birds
The choice between live and dried mealworms for baby birds depends on various factors including convenience, availability, the bird’s age and species. Both options have their advantages and drawbacks:
Live Mealworms
Pros:
- Live mealworms are packed with nutrients and moisture. This provides baby birds with hydration and nutrition.
- Most birds are inclined to eat live prey, making live mealworms a more natural choice.
- Hunting live prey provides mental and physical stimulation for baby birds, which helps develop their natural behaviors.
Cons:
- Live mealworms have a short shelf life and can be a challenge to store. This can be a challenge if you feed a lot of baby birds.
- Live mealworms can be more expensive than their dried counterparts.
Dried Mealworms
Pros:
- Dried mealworms have a much longer shelf life. They are also more affordable which makes them a practical option when feeding several birds.
- All dried mealworms are easy to store and require less maintenance than live ones.
- Dried mealworms are less likely to produce unpleasant odors and decay.
Cons:
- Dried mealworms have lower moisture content than live ones. You may have to water the mealworms prior to giving them to the birds.
- For obvious reasons, dried mealworms don’t provide the same level of mental and physical stimulation as live prey.
The choice between live and dried mealworms will come down to your personal preference and what’s available. Dried mealworms are the more affordable option and great for feeding many birds young and old. But of course they will also enjoy live mealworms.
You can also give them both, live and dried mealworms. You don’t have to choose between either one. You could for instance, give them dried mealworms first then live ones to see which they prefer.
Conclusion
There is nothing quite like the sight of baby birds eating and looking healthy. Whether you are raising the birds or just feed them in your backyard it is an enjoyable experience. It takes some time to get used to it especially if you are new to this, but I can assure you that it is worth it.
The key is to be patient. Give a few mealworms to the baby birds and let them enjoy it. As they continue to grow, adjust their diet. You can ad other foods to their diet as long as it is suitable for their age.
