Page 306 - Hand rearing birds second

Ibis 295

Table­18.1­ Example ibis adult maintenance diets, per each bird per day.

Terrestrial­Ibis:­Southern­Bald­(Cape)­Ibis­(Geronticus calvus)

Amount Diet­Items

1 ½ tsp. Nebraska® Carnivore Feline Premium (shaped into balls)
3/4 cup (180 ml) Dog food, soaked
4 Neonate mice, whole
1 Mouse (cut into ¼s)
2 Whole smelt or capelin
5 Crickets
5 Mealworms
1 50 mg thiamine tablet
1 100 IU vitamin E every other day
Aquatic­Ibis:­White-faced­Ibis­(WFI)­(Plegadis chihi)
Amount Diet­Items

¼ cup (60 ml) Dog food, soaked
1 cup (240 ml) Mazuri Flamingo Complete, extruded pellet
¼ cup (60 ml) Krill
2 Silversides
5 Crickets
5 Mealworms
1 50 mg thiamine tablet
1 100 IU Vitamin E every other day

Fingers may be wiggled, but care should be taken not to push the chick down. Allow the chick to
stretch up to meet the feeder’s hand as if the parent were placing its bill over the chick’s mouth
prior to regurgitating. Support the chick’s head until it becomes strong enough to support itself.
Initial feeding responses will be short in duration and chicks will initially tire easily during feed-
ings. Feed in the brooder or set up a nearby counter supplemented by heat. Do not allow chicks to
become chilled during feedings. Chicks may be housed together but may need to be separated dur-
ing feedings if they are causing disruption while other chicks are fed.
Feed the 50 : 50 ratio of formula : water for five feedings before transitioning to 100% formula on
day 1 of feeding. Feed 100% water if the chick hatched under the parents. Supplement water as
needed between feedings and continue feeding dilute feedings until fecal output looks well
hydrated. Ambient humidity and temperature combined with formula variations may increase the
need for supplemental fluids.
Begin the transition from 50 : 50 to 100% formula on the second day of feeding. If the chick
shows any sign of dehydration while transitioning to 100%, move to 75 : 25 formula : water until
well-hydrated before trying to transition to full-strength formula. Do not ignore signs of dehydra-
tion – this is critical – if chicks refuse feedings, check the temperature and hydration of the chick,
plus check for anything awry regarding housing or formula. The most common reason for a chick
refusing to eat is dehydration.