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Lorikeets 615

Table­40.1­ Approximate brooder temperature (HARI).

Age Temperature­°C Temperature­°F

Hatch to day 2–3 35.0–36.5 96–98
Day 3 to day 14–21 31.1–34.0 88–94
3 weeks to weaning 25.0–30.0 76–86

­ Common­Medical­Problems

Bacterial infections are common in lories. Lories will use their brush tongues to lick everything,
even if they have defecated on the object. Bacterial growth is compounded in hot weather.
Therefore, it is important to keep surfaces clean and disinfected. Enclosures should periodically be
wiped down and disinfected with veterinary disinfectant. Larger aviaries can be hosed down,
scrubbed, and then, utilizing an electric mister, disinfected with a solution of F10SC Veterinary
Disinfectant mixed as directed with water. Food and water bowls must be cleaned, and new food
and water replenished throughout the day to avoid bacterial contamination.
When keeping lories outside, rodents may be a problem. Mice can get through ½ in. (1.25 cm)
mesh hardware cloth while ¼ in. (0.75 cm) mesh hardware cloth stops them, but they have been
known to chew through that. Watch for telltale signs in the aviary. Even a few droppings may be a
sign of an infestation. A professional exterminator will be helpful but other trapping methods are
also available. Mice and rats deposit their urine and feces throughout the aviary and feeding dishes
which may cause bacterial infections in the birds if the rodents are not eliminated.
Overheating in the nest box is possible during hot days. Chicks should be pulled to the nursery
and appropriate brooding temperatures and methods should be administered.
Cold temperatures bring the possibility of hypothermia. Pull chicks and place in brooder or
appropriate housing at an appropriate temperature. Do not feed cold chicks; return hypothermic
chicks to normal body temperature prior to feeding.
Care should always be taken not to press on the just‐filled crop when handling birds during feed-
ing. Formula may come up the esophagus and be aspirated down the trachea in an instant, which
may result in death. If you think a chick has aspirated formula, seek veterinary advice.

­ Diets­and Tools

Commercial psittacine hand‐feeding formulas, such as HARI Hand‐feeding Formula, work well
for lories. Follow mixing and temperature directions on the packaging. Always save the original
container or packaging with the lot numbers, as they may be needed in case of a recall notice. Mix
formula with heated water in a measuring cup using a small whisk.
The following is a recommended list of supplies to keep on hand:

● Psittacine baby bird feeding formula (Hagen)
nectar powder
●
● feeding charts
Gram Scale
●
● bedding (linens and/or equine bedding pellets)