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412 Hand-Rearing Birds

inappetence, or feet that radiate excess heat are clinical signs of heat distress and require a reduc-
tion in brooder or room temperature.

­ Captive­Fostering

If adult Common Murres are available in rehabilitation, many will allow murre chicks to approach
and then exhibit protective behaviors, seeming to adopt the chicks. Others will ignore or rebuff the
chick’s requests for parenting behavior. Whenever possible, match chicks with an adoptive parent
during care and release the birds together when both are ready. Adult birds recuperating from their
own problems may be either stressed or enthused by the presence of a chick needing parenting;
hence, thoughtful consideration of the match is needed (Figure 25.3).

­ Diet­Recipes

Small­Alcids
®
The base auklet formula consists of 85 g Cyclopeeze (decapod microscopic crustaceans), 85 g
Superba krill, 30 g mealworms, and 60 cc Pedialyte (Abbott), with 5 g of Mazuri Alcid vitamin sup-
plement added (Mazuri). On short notice, substitute Mysis shrimp from your local freshwater and
marine pet store for Cyclopeeze. Utilize additional Pedialyte (total of 100 cc) for chicks less than
3 days of age. Process all ingredients in a blender until smooth, taking care not to blend long
enough to heat the mixture. Upon completion, refrigerate the formula and make a fresh supply
daily. The formula must be able to pass easily through a modified syringe and 14 French catheter
tube (Oehler et al. 2003).
Use a 50–60 ml catheter tip syringe. Attach a 14 French feeding tube or urethral catheter tube.
Cut the tube to a length of approximately 4 in. (10 cm) at a 45° angle. Heat the cut end of the tube
with an open flame to remove any sharp edges. One can find similar pet-quality feeding syringes

Figure­25.3­ Common Murre adult exhibiting tolerance for an orphan while both are undergoing
rehabilitation. Source: photo courtesy of International Bird Rescue.