Zebra Finch Husbandry SOP

1. Husbandry Personnel
2. Veterinary Personnel
3. Investigative personnel

1. See Entry and Exiting Animal Housing Areas
2. See EHS Animal Handler PPE Chart

1. Ensure a barcoded cage card is present with information including:
   1. PI name
   2. Account number
   3. Protocol number
   4. Laboratory contact information
   5. Strain or stock, and source of animal
2. Investigative personnel maintain a Leg Band Log in close proximity to the animals.
   1. Include pertinent dates (date of birth/arrival/surgery, etc.)

1. Evaluate the overall health of the animal daily for the following and report concerns/abnormalities to the veterinary personnel via an ATR:
   1. Posture and movement
   2. Behavior changes, especially after the loss of a cage mate
   3. Lesion, masses, etc.
   4. Excreta output, i.e., discolored
   5. Births and deaths
   6. Partially closed or squinty eyes
   7. Thin appearance
   8. Ruffled feathers or excessive feather loss
   9. Respirations
   10. Foot or leg injuries
   11. Cage density, e.g., unmarked single housed animal or overcrowds
       1. See Identifying Single Housed Animals SOP

1. Investigative personnel are responsible for establishing pairs or groups of animals in aviaries.
2. House in social groups unless experimental protocols or medical conditions require isolation.
   1. Groups can be single-sex or mixed-sex.
   2. Large aviaries house up to 20 animals.
   3. Breeding aviaries house 2 animals +/- chicks.
3. Cage set-up includes:
   1. Paper liner in catch pan.
   2. Wooden dowels or branches.

1. Assess the availability of food daily.
   1. Provide an approved Zebra Finch food ad lib in food container.
      1. Do not place food containers under perches.
   2. Provide several stalks of millet and replenish as needed.
   3. Provide grit in small bowls.
      1. Generally, one bowl for smaller cages and two bowls for larger cages.
   4. Provide pieces of cuttlebone.
      1. Generally, one smaller piece for smaller cages and 1-2 larger pieces for larger cages.
2. Investigative personnel provide fresh fruits, vegetables, and/or hard-boiled eggs weekly, or as needed.

1. Assess the availability of water daily.
   1. Provide water in water bottles.
      1. Alternatively, use water cups or other acceptable containers, when necessary.
   2. Refill water bottles three times a week, or as needed.
      1. Tap water is acceptable when refilling.

1. Investigative personnel or faculty veterinarians provide handling and restraint training for any personnel requiring it.
   1. In general, husbandry personnel won’t directly handle the animals as part of routine husbandry tasks, including cage transfers.
2. Move slowly and quietly when handling.
3. Ask for assistance with handling if uncomfortable or unsure.

1. Frequency of equipment change and sanitization:

1. See Environmental Enrichment for Animals SOP
   1. Investigative personnel provide water baths, as appropriate.
2. See Approved Enrichment Items – Zebra Finch.

1. Investigative personnel record chick births in the laboratory database.
2. Husbandry personnel record chick death on the cage card and death log.

1. Investigative personnel wean chicks ~40 days post-hatch.
2. Male chicks either remain in the same aviary as the male parent or weaned to an aviary that is nearby the male parent to facilitate learning to sing.

1. Investigative personnel report any animal with weight loss exceeding 5% of body weight to the veterinary personnel.

a. Consult with the veterinary personnel for new arrival procedures.

1. Investigative personnel ensure an appropriate number of nest boxes, typically 4-6, are placed in the large breeding aviaries.
   1. Place 1-2 nest boxes for small aviaries with one pair of animals.
   2. Provide appropriate nesting materials, such as woolen twine/burlap.
2. Investigative personnel monitor the housing densities in the breeding aviaries and wean juveniles as necessary.
   1. Consult with the veterinary personnel with any questions on housing densities.
3. Investigative personnel place leg bands on chicks prior to weaning.

1. Refer to Documenting, Disposal and Reporting Animal Deaths.
2. Euthanasia is not the responsibility of the ULAM husbandry personnel.