Page 599 - Hand rearing birds second

600 Hand-Rearing Birds

Figure 39.3 Chicks removed from crate for a feeding, which is a good time to clean the crate.

The choice of housing depends entirely on the available resources and space at the facility
and the developmental stage of the birds. Very young hatchlings can be kept in a knitted nest or
suitable container lined with paper towel. Hatchlings and nestlings can be kept in open containers,
such as laundry baskets or vegetable crates, but covering these proves challenging. Dog crates
are our preference, although the disadvantage here is that each chick needs to be removed for
every feeding as there is no access to them from above. However, parrots are incredibly messy birds
and don’t eject poop from the nest like songbirds, so are likely to need cleaning after every
feed (Figure 39.3). Many wild chicks are encountered with balls of rock‐solid feces adhered to
every toe. Sometimes the nailbed or even the toe is damaged, which may explain why we see so
many otherwise‐healthy wild chicks with missing nails and digits. Increase the size of the crate
to accommodate age differences and clutch sizes, upgrading to larger crates as the birds start to
become more mobile.

Crate­Substrate
Fabric without loops, such as rough drapes or old t‐shirts, or towels with a close weave and small-
est loops possible, are preferred as housing substrate. Cover the towels with a wrinkled, absorbent
nonshiny paper towel to cut down on laundry. Natural substrates such as wood shavings are not
recommended because oils can cause breathing issues (especially soft woods as cedar or pine), and
they don’t absorb feces any better than towels. Additionally, loose substrates such as wood shav-
ings, corn cob, or rice hulls run the risk of ingestion. Because they cannot be digested, these may
cause impaction or obstruction. Any substrate that does not provide a good grip for the chick’s feet
is not recommended either, as even a slight amount of slide can cause feet to turn or legs to splay
at varying degrees. Create a large donut shape of fabric at the back of the crate, as babies tend to
huddle together away from the door.
The towels need to be changed at least daily if not several times a day depending on the numbers
of chicks in the group. The crate should be changed and disinfected regularly. With larger groups,