Page 554 - Hand rearing birds second

554 Hand-Rearing Birds

6.88

6.78

6.68
Weight (g) 6.58

6.48 Actual
High 16%
Low 12%
6.38

6.28
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Day of artificial incubation
Figure 36.2 Guam Kingfisher egg weight loss graph.

within both rooms, covering windows to protect both humans and eggs. Egg trays within all
machines are disinfected between clutches. Floors are disinfected at least twice weekly, with foot
baths at the entrance. Traffic within the facility is limited. An ozone generator has been used rou-
tinely in the incubators historically as another means of maintaining a clean environment for eggs.
The water source for humidity within all machines comes from a reverse osmosis system with a UV
sterilization component. Hands are washed with soap before and after handling eggs. Employees
wear clean uniforms daily and are expected to arrive with clean hair that is short or tied back.

Initial Care and Stabilization

Most neonates come to the facility via the hatchery where they’ve been artificially incubated. Once
the chick has dried off in the hatcher, it is brought into the brooder room. The temperature of the
appropriate brooder is adjusted and stable prior to the expected hatch date. Avian neonates are fed
at the first sign of feeding response or within 24 hours of hatching. All food items are dipped in
bottled drinking water to moisten and provide fluids.
If a chick has been removed after hatching with the parents, its condition is evaluated and
recorded. If it is determined by “tented” skin, sunken eyes, and lack of feeding response that a
chick is dehydrated, it receives 5–10% of its body weight in subcutaneous fluids (2.5% dextrose and
0.45% NaCl Injection USP). If a chick has injuries, it receives treatment by a staff veterinarian. A
latex glove filled with warm water is sometimes used to warm up a small cold neonate by placing
it among the fingers of the glove, taking care to frequently check the temperature of the glove to
ensure it has not cooled off.

Common Medical Problems

As with many species of avian neonate, bacterial infections are the most common problem encoun-
tered. A well‐nourished chick reared in sanitary conditions is the least susceptible to infections.