Our Time with Owls: Delivered

Four owl eggs being incubated

The four owl eggs, which were about 2/3 the size of chicken eggs, arrived in a Styrofoam incubator set at about 100 degrees. Two of the eggs were already hatched. Eddie was two days old and Oscar, the bigger and stronger (and dare I say uglier) one, was four days old. 

Oscar at four days old and Eddie at two days old.

Oscar and Eddie live in a copy paper box with a hand towel rug. Their only piece of furniture is a 12 inch wall thermometer which lays across the floor, gauging warmth for their survival.

My friend said the temperature should be about 95 degrees. When Eddie and Oscar arrived they were cold, and Oscar was laying over the top of Eddie trying to capture as much body heat as possible.

We strung up a warming light by threading its cord through the grid of our drop ceiling in the basement and adjusting its height until the temperature was just right. It didn't take long for the tiny owls to warm up. Once they were warmed, they seemed to prefer laying by themselves as each bird chose its own spot in the box.

Enjoying the warmth, Eddie snuggles into his new home.

Disclaimer: I am only following instructions given to me by the owner of the owls. I am not a bird expert nor do I have expertise in caring for birds.