Page 547 - Hand rearing birds second

546 Hand-Rearing Birds

the nest too late, or if allowed to mix with other mousebirds. However, if a long-term pet
bird is put into a breeding situation years later, or if the aviculturist tries to keep handling a
hand-raised bird while with a mate, breeding success declines compared with similarly aged
wild birds.

­ Weaning

Mousebirds wean quickly and easily. By day 11, a shallow bowl of small soft fruit chunks (75%) and
soaked pellets (25%) can be placed in the enclosure for the chick to start investigating on its own.
This proportion may be continued into adulthood. At each feeding, place the bowl in front of the
begging chick and move the pieces around with a finger (Figure 35.4). This will encourage
the chick to put its beak in the bowl while gaping, thus touching the food. Feed him at an angle as
close to the bowl as possible. Some birds will catch on in one day, but others may take a week more.
Blue-naped Mousebirds tend to take longer weaning than Speckled or White-backed.
Do not discontinue the hand-feeding until the bird is about 16 days old and eating everything
completely on its own. Monitor weight gain and keel muscle mass carefully. A mousebird chick is
not ready for an aviary or new home release until he is a month old, eating well, and has not had
supplemental heat for at least 2 weeks. At this time, he should also be able to fly, although not
expertly. Mature birds should be fed a variety of fruits and some vegetables with dry and/or soaked
pelleted softbill diets.
Make sure that young mousebirds, generally up to 3 months of age, have food available to them
at all times. They have tremendous appetites and, if they are allowed to go hungry too often, they
lose weight very quickly and may go torpid.
A well-raised, hand-fed mousebird is a cuddly and loving bird that requires no extra training
before entering a pet home. Because most pet bird owners are used to only parrot species, the new
owner must be thoroughly educated on the unique attributes and different diet of mousebirds so
that proper care will be given.

Figure 35.4 Two White-back Mousebird chicks learn to eat on their own. Forceps make it easy for the
hand-feeder to handle the small food pieces.