Page 242 - Hand rearing birds second

230 Hand-Rearing Birds

may begin (Table 13.3). At 600 g, if the chick is doing well on a diet of half fish and half formula,
the proportion of fish in the diet can be increased to two thirds of the total intake. It is increasingly
important to stick to the 10% rule. Some chicks may require less than 10% of their first daily weight
at each feeding. At above 600 g, begin reducing the number of daily feedings while increasing pro-
portions of fish fed as shown in the feeding chart.
There are two stages at which most chicks become fussy: at around the 500 g mark for a day or
two; and at 1 kg for several days. At these weights, they may refuse food at one feeding or not eat
full amounts at each feed. At around 500 g, chicks generally become more skittish to any move-
ments and often wrigglier to handle. Wrapping them in a towel helps during feeds. At 500 g, the
chicks are moved into larger crates, as the brooders are now too small for them and the crates allow
more movement for the chicks.

­ Expected­Weight­Gain

Whether hand‐ or parent‐reared, African Penguin chicks reach adult weight at about 2 months of
age (Figure 13.3). At 60 days of age, they are more than 50% done molting their wooly down.

Housing

African Penguins may stay in a room with temperature of 64.4–69.8 °F (18–21 °C) with a fan to
circulate the air. At approximately 1 kg, the ambient temperature is reduced further as needed. As
chicks lose their fluff, they are transferred to an outdoor enclosure and given access to the swim-
ming pool at >45 days of age and 1.5–3 kg, when more than 50% of downy plumage has molted.

Hatchlings

Newly hatched chicks up to 8 days old are housed in human baby incubators at 91.4 °F (33 °C) and
44–55% humidity. The hatchlings are placed in individual pots lined with soft paper towel, which
absorbs the guano effectively and should be replaced during each feed (Figure 13.4). The tempera-
ture in the human baby incubator is lowered to 86 °F (30 °C) if chicks appear hot (panting/uncom-
fortable). While the chicks are in the human incubators, they should look comfortable and will
sleep most of the time, unless it is almost feeding time, in which case they normally become vocal.
It is important to monitor their behavior as each chick has individual needs and some may become
uncomfortable if it is too hot, others may not be warm enough, and the temperature may need to
be adjusted for individual needs.

Table­13.3­ Daily vitamin regime.

Monday Fish­eater­tablet
Wednesday Multivitamin
Friday Thiamine
Sunday Cani‐vit in a gel cap