Page 192 - Hand rearing birds second

178 Hand-Rearing Birds

500
450
400
350
Body weight (g) 250
300
200
150
100
50
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Days of age
Figure 10.5 Weight gain of six Pied-billed Grebe chicks during rehabilitation. The split curves at
maximum weight likely reflect the sexes of the chicks, as males are generally about 100 g heavier than
females.

exercise, feed, and defecate naturally. Young grebes should not be left alone in water, however,
until they are fully waterproofed. Allowing grebe chicks to swim before, during, and after feedings
for as long as they are able will help them develop strength, keep their gastrointestinal tract motile,
aid in keeping feathers clean, and allow them to practice their diving skills.
There are several ways to approach housing for young grebes, but all methods should take two
key points into consideration: the bird must have easy access to a dry area, and the water needs to
remain clean at all times to preserve feather condition and to keep pathogens at a minimum. As
chicks become more adept at swimming and foraging, the depth of the water can be increased to
allow for more diving and maneuverability. Self‐feeding chicks can be housed either in a multi‐
container system of one dry nest and two tubs of water (where the water is continually changed in
both, but at any given time in the container they are not using), or they can be offered a pool that
has a trickle filtration system which, once set up and running, is a very efficient and reliable way
to keep the water continuously clean.
As grebes grow and become self‐sufficient, their housing needs will change. To keep their feet
and keel protected from abrasions, grebes should only be exposed to very soft, padded surfaces
until the bird is able to spend all of its time in the water. Ample access to water and pools is critical,
and should be introduced as soon as possible, based on each bird’s ability and health rather than
by age or size. Grebes are flock birds and socialization is crucial for their development, so young
chicks should be housed with similarly sized conspecifics whenever possible. Solitary birds should
have a mirror placed along the water line. Some species, such as Pied‐billed Grebes, can become
aggressive as they mature, so older birds should not be left together unattended until you are cer-
tain they are getting along. Rehabilitators must familiarize themselves with the behavioral tenden-
cies of any species in care when considering putting groups of birds together, as some birds can be
aggressive when housed with others of their own or other species.
Swimming containers should increase in size as the grebe chick grows and needs more space to
swim, forage, and dive. A dishpan or medium plastic tub works well for a 50–60 g hatchling,
whereas a 200 g bird needs at least a bathtub‐sized pool. Plastic storage tubs of various sizes, chil-
dren’s pools, and plastic stock water troughs can all make suitable swimming habitats for grebes in
captivity. Whatever container is used, it should be appropriate to the bird’s needs and should have
several inches between the top edge and the surface of the water, so the grebe cannot propel itself