{"id":5541,"date":"2026-01-07T07:32:44","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T12:32:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/?post_type=document&p=5541"},"modified":"2026-01-07T09:04:55","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T14:04:55","slug":"zebra-finch-husbandry-sop","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/zebra-finch-husbandry-sop\/","title":{"rendered":"Zebra Finch Husbandry SOP"},"template":"","categories":[6],"tags":[],"content-type":[30],"topic":[20],"update-type":[],"class_list":["post-5541","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","category-chickens-avian","content-type-sops","topic-husbandry"],"acf":{"use_legacy_editor":true,"updated_date":"2025-12-12 00:00:00","update_notice":true,"author":"Unit for Laboratory and Animal Medicine ","summary":"To establish standard husbandry procedures for the care of zebra finch, taeniopygia guttat<\/em>a<\/em><\/strong>, within a research environment..","button_links":null,"related_content":[2896,3427,2897,2927],"legacy_path":"","legacy_node_id":"","legacy_related_nids":"","legacy_content_section":[{"legacy_section_type":"heading","legacy_heading":"Responsibility","legacy_subheading":"","legacy_section_text":"","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":null,"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"","legacy_section_text":"
    \r\n \t
  1. Husbandry Personnel<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Veterinary Personnel<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Investigative personnel<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":null,"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"heading","legacy_heading":"Glossary Definitions","legacy_subheading":"","legacy_section_text":"","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":[2682,2415,2490,5548,5547],"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"glossary_terms","legacy_heading":"Procedures","legacy_subheading":"","legacy_section_text":"","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":[2682,2415,2490,5548,5547],"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"heading","legacy_heading":"Procedures","legacy_subheading":"1. Animal Housing Area\/PPE","legacy_section_text":"
      \r\n \t
    1. See Entry and Exiting Animal Housing Areas<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t
    2. See EHS Animal Handler PPE Chart<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":null,"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"1. Animal Housing Area\/PPE","legacy_section_text":"
        \r\n \t
      1. See Entry and Exiting Animal Housing Areas<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t
      2. See EHS Animal Handler PPE Chart<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":null,"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"2. Identification","legacy_section_text":"
          \r\n \t
        1. Ensure a barcoded cage card is present with information including:\r\n
            \r\n \t
          1. PI name<\/li>\r\n \t
          2. Account number<\/li>\r\n \t
          3. Protocol number<\/li>\r\n \t
          4. Laboratory contact information<\/li>\r\n \t
          5. Strain or stock, and source of animal<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
          6. Investigative personnel maintain a Leg Band Log in close proximity to the animals.\r\n
              \r\n \t
            1. Include pertinent dates (date of birth\/arrival\/surgery, etc.)<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":null,"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"3. Health Evaluations","legacy_section_text":"
                \r\n \t
              1. Evaluate the overall health of the animal daily for the following and report concerns\/abnormalities to the veterinary personnel via an ATR:\r\n
                  \r\n \t
                1. Posture and movement<\/li>\r\n \t
                2. Behavior changes, especially after the loss of a cage mate<\/li>\r\n \t
                3. Lesion, masses, etc.<\/li>\r\n \t
                4. Excreta output, i.e., discolored<\/li>\r\n \t
                5. Births and deaths<\/li>\r\n \t
                6. Partially closed or squinty eyes<\/li>\r\n \t
                7. Thin appearance<\/li>\r\n \t
                8. Ruffled feathers or excessive feather loss<\/li>\r\n \t
                9. Respirations<\/li>\r\n \t
                10. Foot or leg injuries<\/li>\r\n \t
                11. Cage density, e.g., unmarked single housed animal or overcrowds\r\n
                    \r\n \t
                  1. See Identifying Single Housed Animals SOP<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":null,"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"4. Housing","legacy_section_text":"
                      \r\n \t
                    1. Investigative personnel are responsible for establishing pairs or groups of animals in aviaries.<\/li>\r\n \t
                    2. House in social groups unless experimental protocols or medical conditions require isolation.\r\n
                        \r\n \t
                      1. Groups can be single-sex or mixed-sex.<\/li>\r\n \t
                      2. Large aviaries house up to 20 animals.<\/li>\r\n \t
                      3. Breeding aviaries house 2 animals +\/- chicks.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                      4. Cage set-up includes:\r\n
                          \r\n \t
                        1. Paper liner in catch pan.<\/li>\r\n \t
                        2. Wooden dowels or branches.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":null,"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"5. Providing Food","legacy_section_text":"
                            \r\n \t
                          1. Assess the availability of food daily.\r\n
                              \r\n \t
                            1. Provide an approved Zebra Finch food ad lib in food container.\r\n
                                \r\n \t
                              1. Do not place food containers under perches.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                              2. Provide several stalks of millet and replenish as needed.<\/li>\r\n \t
                              3. Provide grit in small bowls.\r\n
                                  \r\n \t
                                1. Generally, one bowl for smaller cages and two bowls for larger cages.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                2. Provide pieces of cuttlebone.\r\n
                                    \r\n \t
                                  1. Generally, one smaller piece for smaller cages and 1-2 larger pieces for larger cages.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                  2. Investigative personnel provide fresh fruits, vegetables, and\/or hard-boiled eggs weekly, or as needed.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":null,"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"6. Providing Water","legacy_section_text":"
                                      \r\n \t
                                    1. Assess the availability of water daily.\r\n
                                        \r\n \t
                                      1. Provide water in water bottles.\r\n
                                          \r\n \t
                                        1. Alternatively, use water cups or other acceptable containers, when necessary.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                        2. Refill water bottles three times a week, or as needed.\r\n
                                            \r\n \t
                                          1. Tap water is acceptable when refilling.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":null,"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"7. Handling","legacy_section_text":"
                                              \r\n \t
                                            1. Investigative personnel or faculty veterinarians provide handling and restraint training for any personnel requiring it.\r\n
                                                \r\n \t
                                              1. In general, husbandry personnel won\u2019t directly handle the animals as part of routine husbandry tasks, including cage transfers.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                              2. Move slowly and quietly when handling.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                              3. Ask for assistance with handling if uncomfortable or unsure.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":null,"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"8. Cage Changing Procedures","legacy_section_text":"
                                                  \r\n \t
                                                1. Frequency of equipment change and sanitization:<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
                                                  Equipment Name<\/td>\r\n3xWeekly<\/td>\r\nWeekly<\/td>\r\nEvery 2 Weeks<\/td>\r\nEvery month<\/td>\r\nEvery 3 Months<\/td>\r\nEvery 6 months<\/td>\r\nAdditional Information<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                                  Clean debris from floor<\/td>\r\nX<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\nOr more often as needed.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                                  Change pan liners<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\nX<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\nOr more often as needed.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                                  Mop\/dust\/polish<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\nX<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                                  Sanitize food, grit, and water bowls<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\nX<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                                  Sanitize enrichment<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\nX<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                                  Sanitize perches<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\nX<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                                  Wipe the interior aviary walls<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\nX<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                                  Sanitize nest boxes<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\nX<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\nInvestigative personnel are responsible for the nest boxes.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                                  Sanitize cages through cage wash<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\nX<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":null,"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"9. Providing Enrichment","legacy_section_text":"
                                                    \r\n \t
                                                  1. See Environmental Enrichment for Animals SOP<\/a>\r\n
                                                      \r\n \t
                                                    1. Investigative personnel provide water baths, as appropriate.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                    2. See Approved Enrichment Items \u2013 Zebra Finch<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":null,"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"10. Recording Birth\/Death","legacy_section_text":"
                                                        \r\n \t
                                                      1. Investigative personnel record chick births in the laboratory database.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                      2. Husbandry personnel record chick death on the cage card and death log.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":null,"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"11. Weaning","legacy_section_text":"
                                                          \r\n \t
                                                        1. Investigative personnel wean chicks ~40 days post-hatch.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                        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.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":null,"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"12. Body Weight Monitoring ","legacy_section_text":"
                                                            \r\n \t
                                                          1. Investigative personnel report any animal with weight loss exceeding 5% of body weight to the veterinary personnel.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":null,"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"13. New Arrivals","legacy_section_text":"a. Consult with the veterinary personnel for new arrival procedures.","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":null,"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"14. Breeding Procedures and New Hatch Husbandry","legacy_section_text":"
                                                              \r\n \t
                                                            1. Investigative personnel ensure an appropriate number of nest boxes, typically 4-6, are placed in the large breeding aviaries.\r\n
                                                                \r\n \t
                                                              1. Place 1-2 nest boxes for small aviaries with one pair of animals.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                              2. Provide appropriate nesting materials, such as woolen twine\/burlap.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                              3. Investigative personnel monitor the housing densities in the breeding aviaries and wean juveniles as necessary.\r\n
                                                                  \r\n \t
                                                                1. Consult with the veterinary personnel with any questions on housing densities.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                                2. Investigative personnel place leg bands on chicks prior to weaning.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":null,"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"15. Death Notification and Euthanasia","legacy_section_text":"
                                                                    \r\n \t
                                                                  1. Refer to Documenting, Disposal and Reporting Animal Deaths.<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t
                                                                  2. Euthanasia is not the responsibility of the ULAM husbandry personnel.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":false,"legacy_media_file":null,"legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":null,"legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":null,"legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null}],"update_notice_type":[58,53,52,51],"update_notice_start":"2026-01-07 00:00:00","update_notice_end":"2026-04-07 00:00:00","update_notice_text_blocks":[{"update_notice_text":"

                                                                    Summary of Changes<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\r\nThis is a new document"},{"update_notice_text":"

                                                                    Who is Impacted<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\r\nULAM Husbandry\/Veterinary Personnel or Investigative personnel who take care of or work with zebra finch, taeniopygia guttata.<\/em>"},{"update_notice_text":"

                                                                    Impact<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\r\nA full document review is strongly recommended."}],"global_contact_block":true,"contact_name":"","contact_email":"","contact_additional_info":"","global_contact_block_select":[3395]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/5541","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/document"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/5541\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5556,"href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/5541\/revisions\/5556"}],"acf:post":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contact-block\/3395"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/2927"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/2897"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/3427"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/2896"}],"acf:term":[{"embeddable":true,"taxonomy":"update-type","href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/update-type\/51"},{"embeddable":true,"taxonomy":"update-type","href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/update-type\/52"},{"embeddable":true,"taxonomy":"update-type","href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/update-type\/53"},{"embeddable":true,"taxonomy":"update-type","href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/update-type\/58"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5541"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5541"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5541"},{"taxonomy":"content-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-type?post=5541"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic?post=5541"},{"taxonomy":"update-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/update-type?post=5541"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}