Page 424 - Hand rearing birds second

Alcids 417

Due to commercial availability, or unavailability, and given the specific requirements of each
taxon, give careful examination to the choice of food items. Many of the alcids’ food items are
not commercially available, so choice in prey items is severely limited. Boiled Superba krill has
been proven to maintain auklets in captivity and makes up the bulk of their diet. This diet is
deficient in extra-long-chain fatty acids, a major component of their natural diet. Supplementation
of live aquatic and nonaquatic invertebrates, along with cultured copepods, offsets this defi-
ciency with success. The addition of live mealworms and Cyclopeeze has been effective in sup -
plying the specimens with an abundance of medium- to extra-long-chain fatty acids and caloric
intake. Shipping of Superba krill occurs in both boiled and raw forms; but the raw krill, being
high in water content, spoils faster and tends to soil plumage. Because of its larger size, Superba
krill must be cut down for smaller auklet species, such as the Least, Aethia pusilla, and Whiskered
Auklets, A. pygmaea. Never offer sand lances to these auklets, because the high protein content
and the high-energy requirements associated with the assimilation of these proteins places the
individuals in a negative calorie situation. Boiled krill may be thawed overnight and stored in a
refrigerator for 3–4 days. Never feed krill that has turned brown or that smells rancid, and
remove food from the enclosure within 15 hours, or less if housed in an environment that is
conducive to accelerating the decomposition processes. Sand lances are the preferred food item
of puffins, murres, and guillemots, forming the bulk of the diet for these larger alcids, and they
can be diced for the smaller taxa. In the absence of sand lances, silversides may be more easily
purchased and are a suitable alternative.
During the freezing and thawing process, vitamins and nutrients naturally denature; there-
fore, add vitamin supplements daily. A multivitamin mix is essential to replace missing elements
in the diet due to both the limited types of food available and the freezing and thawing process.
Facilities housing birds in freshwater pools full time should provide salt supplementation at a
suggested dosage of 250 mg NaCl /kg every 48–72 hours to assist in the regulating electrolyte bal-
ance in these birds (Frankfurter et al. 2012; R. Duerr, pers. comm.). Mazuri Auklet Blend
(Mazuri) is a supplement containing essential vitamins and minerals, developed specifically for
alcids. It is not always possible to have this type of vitamin mix available. A good quality multi-
vitamin for birds, such as Quickon’s Multivitamin or an equivalent, will supplement the birds’
nutritional requirements while the birds are being held. Place these mixes on the food daily, in
prescribed amounts. Vitamin supplementation for the smaller alcids can be challenging, due to
the minute size of the items provided. To overcome this obstacle, supplements are produced or
ordered in a powdered form. Place feed items in a clean feed bucket, in a predetermined quan-
tity, and add a set amount of vitamin powder to the total supply of feed. The prescribed ratio of
Mazuri Auklet Vitamin mix to feed has been determined to be 1.6 g of vitamin powder to 1.0 kg
of feed. Mix the vitamins into the provisions to ensure a homogenous blend prior to placement
in feed dishes.
Offer feed plates placed on ice to birds that have compromised plumage, such as oiled feath-
ers, or do not have access to a pool. If providing a pool, toss fish and krill into the water to
promote diving behavior. Discontinue tossing into the pools when the bird(s) are eating well
from pool dishes.
In emergencies, you may substitute frozen shrimp and live baitfish as feed items for these alc-
ids. Dice the shrimp into small pieces for the small alcids because they cannot break larger feed
items apart. Live baitfish, placed in a small plastic pool, will provide larger alcids with food until
alternative arrangements can be provided. Supply the pool with a source of fresh water that will
create an overflow. This will remove any oils from the surface and maintain the condition of the
birds’ plumage.