FAUNA RESCUE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC.
Holding and accommodation during rehabilitation |
| Having made the initial diagnosis, care for the bird by placing it in a suitable container in a quiet, warm and dimly lit location. This will prevent escape and allow the bird a chance to settle down and reduce the stress. (note; penguins require cool conditions). |
| Cardboard boxes with a "window" cut in them and some soft netting covering the hole, make very good temporary cages. |
| The box needs to have
appropriate flooring dependent on the type of bird. For a magpie, parrot etc. there should be a log or perch which the bird can cling to. For ducks and birds with flat feet, the floor of the box can be lined with some sheets of newspaper or paper towel to make it easier to clean out. Don’t use cotton wool, tissues or wool because the strands of fibre can get badly tangled in their feet and cause even more problems. |
| If warmth is needed, then use an electric heat pad, 240v 25-40 watt coloured globe fitted to a bedside lamp, hot water bottle or plastic cool drink bottle filled with hot water. If you use a plastic bottle, wrap the bottle in newspaper or an old towel and place it so that it won’t roll around and squash the bird in the box. |
| Locate the box in a warm quiet place, preferably inside where it is usually warmer, away from draughts and noisy things like TVs, kids, washing machines, radios and so on. |
| It is a good idea to see how it is getting along every hour or so. Shock can effect the bird for up to 24 hours or more. Just quietly have a peek at your patient without causing further stress. |
| To make your disposable cage |
| You need.... |
| Card board box |
| Onion bag, mesh netting as used for packaging vegetables, fly wire or shade cloth |
| Silicone glue, adhesive plastic tape or thread (string or wool) and large a needle for stitching the netting to the box. |
| Newspaper, paper towels and /or tissues. |
| A stick for a perch if required (birds feet grip 2/3 around stick) |
| An aviary using shade cloth for cover is very effective in reducing further damage to the beaks of pelicans and quite good for birds of prey as they can see the extent of the flight area. The shade cloth also reduces the extent of visual stress for the bird. |
Heat Box
Most sick, injured and orphaned birds require a heat source at some stage. Heat boxes are a great way to give the bird an all round warmth. Baby birds especially thrive well if reared using a heat box. If you are lucky enough to know a handyman, here is a basic diagram on making a heat box to use. It is recommended to only use 25 watt coloured globes. You will need to monitor the box regularly to create the desired heat you need, depending on what bird you have in care. Keep a thermometer in the box so you don’t overheat the bird. The temperature should be around 30 degrees C. A globe mounted inside a terracotta garden pot which is then placed on a fire proof base (such as 2 dinner plates) is effective in supplying heat without light.
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