Emerald Dove Husbandry Manual - Nswfmpa.org

Jennifer Brown ● Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica ● Husbandry manual
hot and the temperature should be lowered. Humidity can be returned to 60% and
slowly reduced as well.
The chick can be moved out of the brooder when its pin feathers develop at about 3
weeks. It is at this point that it can be moved to a tub or a larger heat box. If it is going
to k ept in a t ub th ere sh ould b e a h eat mat u nder t he tub to sti ll p rovide h eat. The
substrate c an sti ll b e shredded paper. B ut as th e c hick ages su bstrate su ch as wo od
chips should be introduced to get the chick used to the substrate it will meet when it
goes into the aviary. The chick should stay in this controlled environment until the bird
can fly. At which point it can be moved to a small weaning aviary with other birds of a
similar age.
11.8 Diet and Feeding Routine:
Initially their diet needs to mimic ‘Pigeon Milk’ which should be high in p rotein (11-23%)
high in fat (6-12%) and high in water content (65-85%) (Brown, D. 1995). This is provided
in t he first 3 -6 da ys o f l ife (Brown, D . 1 995). A fter this period, t he f ormula c an st art to
resemble a normal hand raising formula which should slowly start to decrease the
protein and fat while increasing the carbohydrates and solids.
The easiest way to feed the chick is to use a modified syringe. If the end is cut out of the
syringe which leaves a 1 mm margin around the inside edge (Brown, D. 1 995). T he
syringe size will need to be increased as t he chick grows. The c hicks’ beak should be
able to fit inside the tube opening and open up to drink the formula that it is immersed
in (Brown, D. 1995).
Rates and Diets taken from Brown, D. (1995);
From day 1 to 10 feed pigeon milk that progressively get thicker
Feeding rates should be reduced from 5-6 times a day to 3 times a day
From day 11 to weaning feed hand rearing formula for granivorous species
Start to i ntroduce sm all p ortions t hat g radually i ncrease o f an adults d iet (eg
seed) around fledging
Feeding rates should be reduced from 3-4 times a day to 1 time a day at
weaning
Age of weaning will depend on how well chick adapts to adult diet. For successful
weaning portions of an adult diet should be added as soon as possible which is around
fledging.
To ensure the bird is feeding correctly the bird should start ‘pumping’ when it is being
fed.
Suggested Formula taken from Brown, D.1995.
For a supplier see http://www.roudybush.com/
The ratios below should be as follow with the amounts fed to the chick enough to fill the
chicks crop.
From day 1 to day 3 –Formula Roudybush Squab Handfeed®
Feed 6 parts water: 1 part formula
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