Page 465 - Hand rearing birds second

Turacos 459

The newly hatched chick can stay in the incubator for a few hours until it is dry. No food
should be given the first 12–24 hours so that the yolk sac can be absorbed. The umbilicus may be
swabbed with an iodine solution to help prevent infections. Watch behavior for insight into the
comfort of the chick because turaco chicks will pant when too hot and will not gape or feed
when too cold.

­ Common­Medical­Problems­and Solutions

Turacos, especially the greens, are hardy and typically have few health problems if environ-
ments are kept clean and food is fresh. They are a group that can be affected by iron storage
disease, or hemachromatosis, which is a fatal dietary condition wherein the liver stores
too much iron. Although they are not as prone to this as toucans or starlings, attention
should be paid to a turaco’s diet, thus avoiding animal-based iron foodstuffs and citrus
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fruits. Low-iron softbill pellets, such as Kaytee Exact Mynah or Mazuri Softbill diets,
should be chosen.
The most common problem seen in hand-raised turacos is splay-leg due to improper substrate.
From day 1 turacos must be kept on a substrate that can be gripped easily, such as wire/plastic
mesh and fibrous grass or hay. If the chick is on a surface that is too slick, the legs will splay quickly
and may be permanently damaged. In mild cases of splay-leg, the legs may be taped in position and
allowed to heal for a few days. If applying tape in this manner, be sure not to cover the bird’s vent
with tape. Placing the chick in a small bowl to force his legs to stay under his body in proper posi-
tion may sometimes be effective.
Hand-raising the Great Blue or gray turaco species is much more difficult. Chicks are quite
susceptible to yeast and bacterial infections. Veterinary assistance is recommended at the first
hint of trouble.

­ Hand-Feeding­Diet

The different groups of turacos require different diets. The greens and purples are the most
commonly and successfully hand-raised, and they are more frugivorous. There is currently
much variation in hand-rearing diets used for all species of turacos. Each successful avicul-
turist has their own preferred diet and feeding schedule. The grays and the Great Blue Turaco
are more herbivorous as adults. Not as much is known about the nutritional needs of their
chicks so rearing them is more problematic, although some people have been successful
hand-raising them.
Feedings should start about 6:00 a.m. and continue until 10–11:00 p.m. Feeding throughout
the night is unnecessary for healthy chicks. The regularity, appearance, and amount of feces
should be recorded at each feeding time to ensure that the chick is not having problems.
Turaco feces are soft, brownish, somewhat formed, and sometimes have a mucous layer.
Runny or smelly stools may indicate a yeast or bacterial problem, and immediate medical care
is advised. If the stools are too dry, add a little more water to the formula. If the chick is not
defecating or is straining, stimulate the vent with a warm moist swab. If the chick is not gap -
ing and the temperature is fine, it may mean that it is constipated or dehydrated, and may
require fluid therapy.