Page 209 - Hand rearing birds second

Flamingos 195

Age American Greater Chilean Lesser
(days) flamingo flamingo flamingo flamingo
0 94 97 77 63
2500 1 87 88 72 57
2 86 83 70 57
American flamingo (n =82) 3 90 80 73 60
4 96 82 76 63
2000 Greater flamingo (n=14) 5 104 85 79 66
6 113 92 83 70
Chilean flamingo (n =46) 7 8 123 104 88 74
97
134
79
93
Weight (g) Lesser flamingo (n=115) 10 9 148 114 100 106
1500
85
91
125
163
108
98
135
179
11
116
198
125
12
146
1000
13
124
14 221 158 136 115
147
243
173
15 267 190 160 134
500 16 296 205 174 146
17 326 223 188 158
18 354 239 205 170
19 383 268 221 183
0 20 412 279 240 198
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 22 467 324 279 228
260
24
533
315
365
Age (days) 26 618 412 360 290
28 686 470 408 329
30 782 540 458 368
Figure­11.5­ Growth chart for four species of hand-reared flamingo chicks.
problems. If weight gains are too high, formula can be diluted or a feeding can be dropped so that
leg growth is even on each side of both legs. Uneven growth leads to joint issues, curved bones, and
an uneven gait or limping. Growth plates will be open and the legs continue to grow for at least 3
months after hatch. Underfeeding can lead to dehydration. Weight gains should be monitored
daily until the chick has weaned. Flamingos will approach adult weight between 2 and 3 months
old, at fledging. When managing large numbers of chicks, it may be more stressful to catch and
weigh individuals. Select small, thin appearing birds and weigh a sample group. Check flamingo
crops after food trays are filled to evaluate appetites. Watch for competition and food trays and
provide additional food areas as needed. Additional food should be added to food sources immedi-
ately after they empty so that the less‐dominant birds can feed. If a bird is noted with an empty
crop after a feeding, it should be monitored through observations and weighing.
­ Housing
Chicks are housed in a forced‐air brooder, such as an Animal Intensive Care Unit (AICU, Lyon
Technologies), for the first 10–12 days after hatching. The brooder should be set at 96–97 °F (35.6–
36.1 °C) and 55–60% relative humidity (RH), reducing the temperature 1 °F (0.6 °C) per day as tolerated
by the chick. Flamingo chicks may require supplemental ambient humidity that can be provided by
adding mesh‐covered bowls of water or damp washcloths that are changed daily inside the brooder.
Similarly to ibis, hydration and temperature are critical to hand‐rearing flamingos (see Chapter 18).
Large fluctuations in temperature over the first few days may lead to illness or refusal to eat.
Sometimes, overcorrection of temperature leads to overheating or chilling of the chick. Gradual
corrections allow the chick to thermoregulate, although it may shiver for a few minutes. The most
common problem is overheating and underhydrating during the first 2 weeks of life. Once hatched,
turn the hatcher down 1–2 °F (0.6–1.2 °C) to ease the acclimation to the brooder. The chick hatches
at 98.0 °F (36.7 °C) and should be brooded at a slightly cooler temperature when moved out of the
hatcher. Maintaining a stable temperature within the brooder can be difficult if there are room tem-
perature variations. Check the room conditions and adjust any HVAC vents to prevent drafts.
Brooders next to windows and doors may also be subjected to fluctuations in temperature.