Page 271 - Hand rearing birds second

Cormorants 259

Figure 15.5 Fish school followed by assist-feeding, while obscuring the human form with costume.
Source: photo courtesy of International Bird Rescue.

2000

Body weight (g) 1500

1000

500

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Days from hatch
Figure 15.6 Weight gain of three Double-crested Cormorants. Source: data courtesy of International Bird
Rescue.

Housing

All housing should be cleaned every day, in some cases before feeding or exams, to remove large
quantities of feces and any leftover food. Nests need to be cleaned frequently, up to four times/day,
while the incubator itself needs to be cleaned and disinfected at least once daily. Birds should be
removed from enclosures during cleaning, which provides an opportune time for weighing, exam-
ining, and administering nutritional supplements. If their housing is not yet ready after their exam,