USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Whooping Crane Hatching Countdown

WHOOPING CRANE CHICK: DAY 07

Dr. Bright holds a syringe full of fluids and medication that the chick needs because of a respiratory problem. But not even crane chicks like needles, so Matt, who is holding the bird, has to handle the crane chick carefully so that she won't injure herself while the vet gives her the shot.
Photo by Nelson Beyer,
USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

Chick rearing starts at 7 A.M. Including our chick, we're raising 16 whoopers now, from 2 days old to 23 days old. They need to be fed, kept clean, exercised, and some need to be medicated. This chick is 22 days. Her legs are long, strong but fragile, and she doesn't like being held. Dr. Bright holds a syringe full of fluids and medication that the chick needs because of a respiratory problem. But not even crane chicks like needles, so Matt, who is holding the bird, has to handle the crane chick carefully so that she won't injure herself while the vet gives her the shot. The trick to holding a delicate but strong crane chick is to let them move enough but not too much. It takes experience and a special sensitivity to each individual bird. Medications are usually given at least twice a day. First, in the morning and then again twelve hours later.

Our chick has a name! The vote was close, but you've named him Patuxent. Tux's weight has been gaining steadily. He's up to 179 grams! No one has to help him eat or drink anymore, or help him find his way outside. His legs are longer, and it takes two hands to hold him securely. He can see really well now and has started catching his own food outside. Tux has become quite an independent young crane from the almost-helpless chick of just a few days ago.

Check our site tomorrow!

Cool Facts:

Barbara helps guide the 22 day old chick onto the big walk-on scale, making her go slow so she won't stumble. Then, Barbara records the weight on the chick's record, and adjusts the medication.
Photos by Damien Ossi,,
USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

Tracking a chick's weight tells us a lot. Medication dosages are given by weight. Whoopers grow so rapidly that the evening dose will be different from the morning. Birds on treatments get weighed twice a day. Barbara helps guide the 22 day old chick onto the big walk-on scale, making her go slow so she won't stumble. Then, Barbara records the weight on the chick's record, and adjusts the medication. Chick weights are often the first thing affected when a chick becomes ill, and can signal a problem before there are other symptoms. If chicks gain weight too fast, they can develop leg problems. Tracking weights allows us to make adjustments to the diet and exercise program to prevent such problems.

See this page for more cool facts each day.

Click here to ask questions about our chick or Patuxent's crane program.

The name selected with a majority of votes is: Patuxent (for more information about the voting, click here)

Hatch Day (Click on numbered links to view other egg (negative numbers) and chick days).

To check on updates after day 14, go to whooper's home.

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey,
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD, USA
URL http://whoopers.usgs.gov

Contact: Jonathan Male
Last Modification: 14-June-2000@15:10 (edt)
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