a comprehensive resource of avian hand rearing techniques for captive bird populations

Avian rearing protocols

Sustaining the longevity of captive bird populations is essential if we wish to maintain the current variety of species in captivity. It is imperative that collections collaborate to share knowledge and experience in all aspects of avian husbandry.

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Hand rearing is one area of husbandry which should be viewed as a tool to help towards the management of captive bird populations. Frustratingly with many captive populations a handfull of birds have been responsible for many descendents in studbooks. If hand rearing techniques can help retain some genetic diversity from pairs that are less well represented it could help sustain populations a little longer.

Studbook keepers are now striving to keep populations as diverse as possible; being able to make recommendations to hand rear from specific individuals could prove an invaluable tool.

All bird keepers have a responsibility to ensure that if they decide to hand rear it is for all the right reasons, and that the bird/s can go on to have a natural life quality with the ability/option to reproduce.

Download the handrearing decision tree and attached information to aid your thought process.

This website was designed as a resource for all institutions to utilize; it is hoped that over time and with everyone's input it will become a comprehensive and invaluable resource for avian hand rearing techniques.

EuropeanAssociation of Zoos and Aquaria- statement on hand-rearing birds

 

 

Avian Nutrition Resource

Avian Nutrition ResourceAvian nutrition is a vital chapter of modern day aviculture but for the majority of avian species there is very little scientific research available. For further details and diets visit our sister website Avian Nutrition Resource.

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