Page 570 - Hand rearing birds second

Toucans 571

Hatchlings should be fed every 60–90 minutes for 14 hours. Initial feeds on day 1 should be
approximately 2–3% of body weight (e.g. 2% of a 9 g bird: 0.02 × 9 = 0.18 ml per feed), increasing to
3–4% of bodyweight by the afternoon of day 1. It is a good idea to deliver the food in amounts as
small as 0.05 ml until greater confidence is achieved, rather than giving a single food delivery as
one might with a parrot, for example.
For at least the first 4 days, the chick should be fed using a 1 ml syringe. Depending on personal
preference, the syringe may be fitted with a feeding tip, such as a plastic teat infusion cannula tip
(see Figure 1.4). A plain 1 ml syringe may be equally preferred, especially in the case of large spe-
cies (genus Ramphastos). Accidental food aspiration is a significant cause of mortality in hatch-
lings at this stage. Within the first week, consideration should be given to transitioning the chick
onto small food pieces. This approach creates a more natural presentation for the chick and carries
a lower risk of aspiration than syringe‐feeding. From 6 days of age, the toucan chick is able to eat
small pieces of pellet that are thoroughly soaked in water. The caregiver should use the same brand
of pellet that is intended for the bird’s adult diet. Low iron pellets are recommended, such as those
manufactured by Kaytee, Mazuri, and ZuPreem.

Day­7­Onward
At approximately 7 days of age, it is relatively easy to feed pieces of the adult diet either from for-
ceps or one’s fingers. This may be possible as early as 4 or 5 days of age in the case of large chicks.
Delivering food directly into the mouth tends to be easier with a pair of forceps, but fingers are
safer for older chicks because they are far more active. At 7 days of age, feeding frequency may be
reduced to 6 or 7 times per day over 12 hours. At 2 weeks of age, 5 feeds per day are sufficient, and
by 5 weeks of age 3–4 feeds per day are sufficient.
At about 3 weeks of age, toucans become fussy eaters and routinely spit out their food. One’s
index finger may be used to push food into the bird’s mouth to encourage swallowing. Otherwise,
food will sit unnoticed in the mouth and may create a choking hazard when the bird slouches.
Toucans are very light‐sensitive at this age, perhaps instinctively knowing that a change in light-
ing signals the arrival of a parent at the nest hole. Be careful not to cast a shadow over the brooder
when checking the chick unless you plan to feed it at that moment. Even before the eyes are open,
the bird will know you are there; and certainly do not turn the room light on or off unless you are
prepared to disturb the chick. This is most awkward at the end of the day when the room lights
have to be turned off. In the case of incandescent bulbs, a dimmer switch will greatly alleviate the
problem because the lights may be gradually dimmed.

­ Expected­Weight­Gain

Weigh the chick at the same time every 24 hours. Digital scales are ideal since they are quick and
easy to read, minimizing the disturbance to the chick. An acceptable daily weight gain can fall
within a range as wide as 5–15%, although the average (mean) daily weight gain should be about
10%. If the weight gain is outside the range of 5–15%, either adjust the amount per feed or the time
interval between feeds.

Poor­Weight­Gains
Example: if a chick is fed every 75 minutes but only experiences a 2% weight gain, the feeding fre-
quency may be increased to every 60 minutes. Changes should be gradual. Normally, either the
feeding frequency or the amount per feed will need to be changed to achieve the desired weight