Page 314 - Hand rearing birds second

Ibis 303

Figure­18.7­ Open bin with room to walk around and learn to perch.

Brooder­Bin

At 7–8 days of age, transfer the chick to a larger bin set up in a similar fashion as the brooder.
Provide supplemental heat so that the chick’s housing temperature is not lowered more than a
couple of degrees. A 42 × 42 × 22 in. high (107 × 107 × 56 cm) brooder provides additional space that
encourages the chick to move around, which is important for leg and foot development (Figure 18.8).
The chick will begin to grow in flight feathers so the bin needs a cover, such as a PVC or wooden
frame with netting stretched across the bin perimeter, which allows air circulation and light.
Expose the chick to indirect sunlight outside for several hours during the day. Providing separate
outdoor housing simplifies care requirements and the chick can be transferred outside while hous-
ing is cleaned indoors. Monitor the temperature of the chick and provide heat or shade to match
the temperature outside to that of the inside housing. Clean and disinfect all housing daily. Ibis
food invariably attracts ants – one method to ant proof brooders is to use raised bins with water
pans under each leg. Change the water frequently as evaporation or accumulated dust or debris
may quickly allow ant access.

Outdoor­Housing

Each housing transition should be gradual so that sudden temperature extremes are avoided. Do
not house juveniles out in open pens overnight until they are thermoregulating and have reached
adult weight, usually at about 3 months of age. Feather condition and waterproofing should be
assessed and deemed sufficient for thermoregulation without supplemental heat. Housing must
provide shade, heat, food, and water as required by each species.
Aviaries for ibis intended for wild release should provide adequate space for flight practice and exer-
cise, naturalistic foraging opportunities, and protection from local predators. Miller (2012), which
provides guidelines for housing birds undergoing wildlife rehabilitation and is an accepted standard
by many regulatory agencies in the U.S., suggests an aviary a minimum of 10 × 25 × 10 ft. (3 × 7.6 × 3 m)
high with a wading pool 5–6 ft. (1.5–2 m) in diameter and 6–10 in. (15–25 cm) deep. Water in pools
must be maintained with excellent water quality to avoid adversely impacting birds’ waterproofing.