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374 Hand-Rearing Birds

for water access. Another option is a wood‐sided pen with a raised ⅛ in. (3 mm) mesh floor, with
shallow pans for water access.
Chicks should be monitored closely when first introduced to water to make sure they do not get
wet and hypothermic. A heat lamp over the land area of their enclosure will help with thermoregu-
lation and with drying after swimming. The land area can be mesh‐bottomed, which allows
dropped food and feces to fall through, keeping the area clean. Otherwise, a fabric‐covered land
area can also be used, ensuring the area stays clean by regular changes. Use of towels can be dan-
gerous due to long toenails, so pillowcases or a nonfabric substrate will help minimize the risk of
their nails becoming injured in the enclosure.
All birds must have an opportunity to swim and bathe to become waterproof. Duckweed can be
added to the pool so they can forage in the water. Water in enclosures should be changed daily or
have constant surface runoff to ensure excellent water quality for healthy plumage.

Preparation for Wild Release

Pre‐release conditioning aviary sizes for these species for unrestricted activity are recommended in
Miller (2012) as 4 × 8 × 8 ft. (1.2 × 2.4 × 2.4 m) with a 45 in. (114 cm) diameter × 8 in. (20 cm) deep
pool. Birds should spend at least 7–14 days in such an adequately‐sized aviary to practice flight and
prove to be a strong flyer before release (Figure 22.8). Birds should be comfortable in ambient out-
door temperatures, and should have had plenty of time with water access and be able to swim,
float, and stay waterproof. Each bird should be of normal adult weight with all known medical

Figure 22.8 American Coot pre-release enclosure with water access, shallow food dishes, greenery, and
adequate flying space. Source: photo courtesy of International Bird Rescue.