Page 225 - Hand rearing birds second

212 Hand-Rearing Birds

Figure­12.3­ Young penguin chicks in plexiglass enclosure.

­ Weaning

Weaning begins during rearing when the formula proportion reaches 30–40 cc per feeding and
then is maintained at that amount while the fish component increases to equal 10% of the first
morning weight in the guideline (Table 12.4). As chicks transition fully into the post‐guard phase,
feeding frequencies reduce and whole fish segments are introduced. As a consequence of this
ongoing transition, formula is gradually discontinued and whole fishes are fed. The use of the
“V”‐feeding response is discontinued to encourage chicks to take fish on their own. Chicks are
then fed commensurate with colony schedules as they grow into their adult feathers.
Parent‐reared birds are weaned via habituation to hand‐feeding whereby chicks are separated
from the parents at crèche age and fed exclusively by animal care specialists.

­ Preparation­for Introduction­to Captive­Flock

Once juveniles have developed waterproof feathers, introductions can begin. Juveniles can be
housed in an area inside the habitat and/or they can be taken into the colony during feedings for
supervised visits. Aggression from conspecifics is likely; caretakers can monitor interactions and
intervene as needed. Hand‐reared chicks may have difficulty transitioning into the social structure
if they have been imprinted on people. Penguin managers are discouraged from overly interacting
with chicks during hand‐rearing to ease later introductions.
Chicks can be introduced to the main habitat pool or tested in a smaller pool. Chicks supervised
near the pool often enter the water on their own. For the first few days following introduction,
chicks should be closely monitored, then returned to a separate area at night, away from pool
access, until they have demonstrated that they are able manage within the colony social structure
and are able enter and exit the pool on their own. Some species, such as Gentoo Penguins, practice
extended parental care resulting in some parent‐reared juveniles returning to the nest following
habituation to hand‐feeding.