Page 201 - Hand rearing birds second

Flamingos 187

Figure­11.1­ Rescued American Flamingo chicks hand-reared at Ría Legartos Biosphere Reserve, Yucatan
Peninsula, Mexico.

Figure­11.2­ Kinesio tape applied to correct leg/joint deviation in a flamingo chick. Corrective tape is then
lightly covered with soft, flexible bandaging tape. Source: photo credit: Shelly Collinsworth, courtesy of Fort
Worth Zoo.

should be encouraged to stand and walk regularly from day 3 until housed in the adult habitat.
Small or crowded enclosures may lead to leg issues (Figure 11.2).

Feces­and Pathogens­for Flamingos

Assess fecal output at each feeding. Expect to see the fecal color change during the first few days.
Yellow‐colored feces after hatch are common as the chick is still processing its yolk. Fecal color will
initially appear dark orange and may change to a dark green color (bile) as it transitions from the
yolk to water to formula. Feces may look red or oily when krill in the diet is processed. Feces should
be a quick “projectile squirt.” If a chick is seen straining or produces thick and small droppings,
replace the next scheduled feeding with oral water feedings and continue until hydration is