Page 467 - Hand rearing birds second

Turacos 461

Table­28.2­ Alternate turaco diet feeding schedule.

Age­(Days) Diet

0–10 Gruel mixture: fed with plastic pipette or spoon
10–18 Whole pieces of fruit and parrot pellets mixed in with gruel, offered from forceps;
gradually reduce gruel
18–20 Whole foods offered from spoon or forceps
22–25 Adult turaco diet – tray left with chicks

developed. Many Great Blue and gray chicks require medication for gastrointestinal upset at some
point during growth. Consult an avian veterinarian for medication information.

­ Feeding­Procedures

Turacos tend to be easy to hand-feed (Figure 28.1). They readily gape at the feeder, although older
chicks that have been recently pulled from the nest take longer to adjust. Like mousebirds, they do
not have a crop but have an expandable esophagus, so a swelling on the right side of the neck is
normal when feeding.
Care must be taken not to overfeed to avoid aspiration. Most chicks will stop gaping when they
are full, but some will continue to beg even when food can be visualized in the throat. It is best to
feed slowly, allowing time for the chick to swallow, and not fill the esophagus to the point where
food can be seen. Place the syringe on the right side of the beak while feeding to lessen the chance
of aspiration. Start with a 1 ml syringe with a regular tip, and use larger syringe sizes as the chick
requires more food. Some individuals will get frantic at feeding time, and the head may need to be
gently corralled and held steady.

Figure­28.1­ A turaco chick eagerly stands and balances with its wings as it is fed.