Page 194 - Hand rearing birds second

180 Hand-Rearing Birds

Figure 10.7 Large pool set up for fledgling Pied-billed Grebes (with similarly-sized mergansers). Note the
angled haul-out with heat lamp and assortment of food dishes supplementing supplies of live fish with
other foods. Source: photo courtesy of International Bird Rescue.

to the bottom of the pool with a rope tied to a weight such as a brick. Take care to position the cut
off zip ties such that sharp areas are not accessible to the birds.
Pools should ideally be located outdoors in a quiet, protected area and water temperatures should
be kept around 65–70 °F (18–21 °C). If the weather is unseasonably cool, a heat lamp should be
provided for younger birds and positioned above the haul‐out to help them maintain their body
temperature. Most heat lamps will indicate the correct distance that they should be placed from
the bird, so one should take care to set it up appropriately. The area should be protected from both
aerial and ground predators and should have a visual barrier to give birds a sense of security and
keep visual contact with their human caregivers to a minimum. Netting can be used over pools to
provide overhead protection, but will also allow natural sunlight into the enclosure. If a bird is kept
indoors, full‐spectrum lighting on timers that mimic natural photoperiods should be supplied.
Birds that are waterproofed, have transitioned from hatchling down to juvenile down, and are
capable of swimming for extended lengths of time should be housed full time outdoors in the larg-
est pool that is available, at least 6 ft. (1.8 m) diameter × 2 ft. (60 cm) deep. At this point, no external
heat source should be needed. Larger birds may leap out of the pool if startled so a 1 ft. (30 cm)
protective barrier or surround should be in place at the top of the pool to keep them contained. Any
flexible material that can withstand moisture can be used. Some examples are: waxed cardboard,
flexible plastic, netting, or a fiberglass window screen secured to stakes, and linoleum. Solid mate-
rials have the advantage of providing additional privacy for the birds. Netting should be used to