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Coots, Gallinules, and Rails 373

material but create enough traction for the chick to walk and run comfortably. Using a material
that is absorbent and smooth is ideal as these species have toenails that can easily get caught in
textured fabrics. Substrates should be changed daily and coordinated with weight checks and
exams to limit human interaction and handling.
If a chick is housed alone, add a clean feather duster (exercise caution with placement under
heat lamps as this may be a fire hazard) and mirrors to help provide a sense of companionship and
relieve the stress of being alone. This will also help keep the bird from becoming habituated.
Adding small areas with greenery and sand or shallow water access can be used, but it is critical
that birds are closely monitored until assured the chick is not having issues navigating vegetation,
becoming wet or chilled, or at risk of drowning due to being unable to exit the water. These items
can be added a few days after care begins to ensure young chicks are alert and coordinated enough
to navigate their enclosure.

Fledgling
Fledgling rallids are typically 4–8 weeks of age, with larger‐sized species tending to have later
fledging ages. The goal of creating a housing environment for these older chicks is to gradually
acclimate them to ambient outdoor temperatures and the type of wild environment they will expe-
rience after release. Heat support should be gradually reduced, and greater access to water given.
As with any patient in care, birds should be closely monitored for the first 24 hours in a new
enclosure, especially if moving to a substantially larger cage, to ensure the bird is not having
difficulty navigating a new environment. As secretive birds, young coots, rails, and gallinules must
be provided with hiding places such as plants, reeds, and other vegetation to hide behind in all
enclosures. Feather dusters are no longer needed, as chicks would no longer be brooded at night.
Once the chick is known to be able to thermoregulate, it can be moved to an environment that is
half water and half land. Wide shallow pans can be used as pools (Figure 22.7), as can deeper water
containers. A sloping, marshy, beach‐like water border is ideal. Other suggestions for housing
include a wooden‐sided pen that allows for half land with a mesh bottom raised a little above a tub

Figure 22.7 Virginia Rail in a wood-sided pen with daisy matting, greenery, and shallow food platters, wet
and dry. Source: photo courtesy of International Bird Rescue.