Page 572 - Hand rearing birds second

Toucans 573

Figure 37.2 Thick, heavy towels provide traction that is important for foot health for these 18-day old
toucan chicks.

Figure 37.3 Perching is essential for foot health: 34-day old chicks.
Fledging

At about 6 weeks of age, the most precarious part of the rearing process begins. Parrots may be
content to languish in the brooder for a prolonged period of time, calm and tame after having been
hand‐reared. Toucans, on the other hand, have a powerful urge to fledge and will bounce and crash
about in their brooder if that urge is forestalled. Fledging will happen, whether one is ready or not.
Watch for signs of fledging, such as a readiness to fly from the brooder. When the time is right,
move the brooder into a small aviary or enclosure. If the bird is tame, it can be carried on a perch
to the aviary. The bird may fly immediately into the new surroundings, or more likely will observe
them cautiously for a few more days before “fledging” at its leisure.
Do not clutter the aviary with too many perches. Select straight tree branches of about 2 in.
(4.8 cm) in diameter with rough bark that the birds can use to clean their bills. Fledgling toucans