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162 Hand-Rearing Birds

Figure 9.7 A loon chick that is not waterproof on its head, note the feathers clump together rather than
remaining fluffy.

chasing, and diving should be sufficient for a loon chick. Pools need above‐water walls sufficient
to allow birds comfortable space above the water and a visual barrier to provide privacy, plus a net-
ted ceiling that prevents attempted escape if birds were to attempt launching themselves over the
side of the pool.
There are several types of pool systems that can be used to maintain waterproofing in diving birds.
One is the overflow‐trickle system. This system requires holes or thin horizontal slots in the pool wall
at the desired height and a hose left on continuously at a trickle (see Figure 10.7 for image of drainage
slot). The overflow out of the drain holes creates water movement at the surface, keeping the surface
water clean. Dead fish, feces, and debris fall to the bottom of the pool. Trickle systems are not ideal if
water conservation is a concern. Water is constantly flowing and draining out of the pool, wasting
significant water each day. A filtration system can be used instead. An exit port is created at the
wanted height of the pool and a flexible pipe is attached. The exiting water flows into the filter. The
filter consists of a 5‐gal bucket with holes drilled 1 in. from the bottom at 1.5 in. apart. The top layer
of the bucket has a foam‐like filter material that removes large debris (e.g. dead fish, leaves) from the
system. Next is a bag of charcoal and finally 3–4 in. of bio balls. Water exits the bucket through the
drilled holes and is now in the storage tote with the sump pump. The sump pump pushes water back
into the pool. The piping connected to the sump pump hangs just above the water surface. This flow
of water at the surface maintains a small current flow in the pool, keeping the water clean. Similarly
to the trickle system, dead fish, feces, and debris fall to the bottom of the pool. In both scenarios, the
bottom must be siphoned frequently to remove debris. If filtration systems malfunction, the water
becomes too dirty and the chick’s waterproofing may be negatively affected. Pools may need to be
cleaned as frequently as every or every other day, depending on the number of chicks present. Chicks
can be placed in a kennel or in a smaller pool with a trickle system during cleaning.
The chick should be observed for becoming waterlogged for the first few days (Figure 9.7). The
haul‐out should still be provided. In a pool, chicks use more energy chasing and catching fish,
therefore increasing food demand. It is not uncommon for a slight weight drop in the first few days
as the chick adjusts to the new pool, but the chick should start to gain weight again after a few days.

Moving­Outside

Ideally, chicks should be moved outside as soon as possible. Loons are at high risk for aspergillosis.
Depending on indoor and outdoor air quality, being outside may either reduce or increase this risk
(Burco 2010). Adequate air filtration systems may decrease the fungal spore load in the indoor air.