Page 301 - Hand rearing birds second

290 Hand-Rearing Birds

to track eggs for genetic management of the population. Band and weigh each chick and assign a
number for identification if one was not acquired when an egg. Record egg data and chick identi-
fication and tie all future records to the chick identification number. Thorough record keeping is
necessary to ensure each chick is progressing as expected and to track any interventions that are
needed. Wild birds undergoing rehabilitation also need appropriate record keeping as required by
regulatory agencies and to manage the progress of each chick.

­ Initial­Care­and Stabilization

Eggs
If parental incubation is interrupted or circumstances prevent parent-rearing, pull eggs directly
from the nest to an incubator because parents begin incubation immediately when eggs are laid.
Do not store eggs as part of the management of these species due to this natural reproductive
behavior of the birds.
There are many ways to safely transport ibis eggs. One simple method requires transfer of eggs
safely into a container filled with millet warmed to 99.0 °F (37.2 °C) to cushion the delicate eggs
and keep them warm. Ensure that there are no hot spots in the millet. Continually monitor the
temperature of the millet with a thermometer during transit. Weigh and candle eggs prior to trans-
ferring to an incubator. Candle eggs using a Marsh Farm’s Hi-Intensity Candler, an LED flashlight,
or a focused light source that does not put off heat to determine fertility and check eggs for dam-
age. Confirm fertility and viability by looking at the developing vessels and embryo. Repair any
cracks in eggs as needed. See Chapter 3 for more information.
Incubate eggs at 99.5 °F (37.5 °C) dry bulb, 80–82 °F (26.7–27.8 °C) wet bulb (WB) for White-
faced Ibis (WFI) and 99.0 °F (37.2 °C) dry bulb, 84–86 °F (28.9–30.0 °C) WB for Scarlet, Bald, and
Madagascar Crested Ibis. WFI (Plegadis chihi) incubation period ranges from 17 to 21 days (Ryder
and Manry 1994). WFI eggs are smaller than the other ibis species mentioned. A percentage of
WFI eggs incubated at the parameters used for other ibis species have hatched; however, hatchabil-
ity improved and eggs hatched closer to the predicted hatch dates when dry bulb parameters were
changed. Manually turn eggs 180° by hand, seven times a day rather than the more typical five
times per day (SeaWorld CA, unpubl. data). Weigh and graph the results to monitor percent weight
loss. Adjust the humidity in the incubator as needed to keep the eggs within a 10–15% egg weight
loss range. Mark each egg with two arrows, each pointing opposite directions 180° apart from each
other, to indicate the turning direction and prevent constant rotation in the same direction.
Egg turning stops once the chick pips through the exterior eggshell. At this time, move the chick
to a hatcher such as a Grumbach Hatcher™. Decrease the dry temperature in the hatcher by 1 °F
and increase the humidity for hatching. Place the hatching egg on a bar mat-lined (nonslip) tray
with the air cell tilted slightly upwards during the 24–48 hours pip to hatch interval. Calculate the
chick’s time interval from pip to hatch.

Hatchlings
Once the chick hatches; lower the temperature of the hatcher to 97 °F (36.1 °C) and reduce the
humidity. Ibis chicks are semi-altricial and require attention after hatching. They hatch with their
downy feathers matted to their skin (Figure 18.1). The newly hatched chick will appear wet but
will dry with a fluffy appearance. Chicks have long skinny legs and may have a bald head. Swab the
chick’s umbilicus with a sterile povidone iodine swab. The umbilicus should be closed and appear
clean. Inspect the eyes, legs, feet/toes, wings, and abdomen. The abdomen will appear distended or