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receive water feedings in between formula feedings. Return to 75 : 25 if the chick does not clear its
crop by the next feeding, refuses food, or has thick fecal output. Hydration is more important than
weight gains on day 3 and it is normal for the chick to have a weight loss on day 3. The transition
to 100% formula and also the transition to self‐feeding is subjective, and there is species, as well as
individual, variation. Carefully assess fecal output and hydration as volume and frequency of feed
decisions are made.

Day­4–5

Reduce feedings to four times daily. Expect to see a weight gain on day 5, although the chick might
not reach hatch weight until day 6. Begin encouraging self‐feeding as soon as the chick can stand
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by offering food items in water (crushed Mazuri Flamingo Pellet, Mazuri Flamingo Bits, and/or
krill). Mazuri Flamingo Complete and Mazuri Flamingo Bits currently provide the necessary
nutrients for use as a chick pellet during weaning. Other commercial flamingo diets have not
yielded the same results. Change food and water trays every hour initially to encourage self‐feeding
and ensure freshness.
Throughout this process, be sure to weigh the chick and assess the weight gain from the previous
day. If the weight gain is over 20%, feed a volume of 10% of the morning weight per feeding and do
not increase the volume throughout the day. If the daily weight gain is below 5%, gradually increase
the feed amounts throughout the day. When determining the initial morning amount, look at the
volume fed at the last feeding, the evening before. If the chick refused formula or did not take the
full amount, assess hydration and the frequency of feedings. As feeding volumes increase, the fre-
quency of feedings will decrease and may be scheduled further apart. Once the chicks begin self‐
feeding, they may begin refusing feedings at any point during the hand‐rearing process. The fecal
consistency will indicate whether the chick is processing formula or pellet diet.

­ Weaning

Early weaning saves labor and limited resources. No significant differences in weight gains
occurred with early weaning while rearing nearly 50 chicks over a 20‐year period. In zoological
habitats, flamingo chicks and juveniles will chase parents and solicit feedings for a year or more.
Wild chicks are fed by the adults up to 2–3 months (Shannon 2007). Weigh chicks to monitor
weight gains and do not feed more than 60 ml of hand‐rearing diet per feeding while offering the
pellets. Hand‐reared flamingos often continue to beg for feedings long after they have learned to
forage and self‐feed. Healthy chicks will begin to eat if you limit the volume to 60 ml and allow
chicks access to food in a water source.
The chicks naturally begin the weaning process as they increase their pellet intake. Reduce
hand‐rearing diet feedings from four to three to two to one time daily and then offer adult diet only.
The chick crop capacity quickly increases to hold up to 180 ml of fluid, but feeding larger volumes
will lead to a longer weaning period. Chicks will continue feeding from a syringe for 6 months or
longer if the formula is not reduced. Capping formula feedings at 60 ml while encouraging self‐
feeding results in earlier weaning and natural foraging behaviors.
Each chick weans at an individual pace and while some American Flamingos will wean as early
as 21 days, others may take 60 days or more. There are also differences among species in the wean-
ing period. Lesser Flamingos wean more slowly than American Flamingos. Chicks continue to
grow in stature and need to continue gaining weight at this stage. Offer pellets at all times and