parrotLife_Printers-3 (Page 1) - Rolf C. Hagen Inc.

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BREEDER BREEDER
AVICULTURE
This system has been successfully used at the
Hagen Avicultural Research Institute (HARI)
for many years. In order to provide the ideal
environment for the hatching process and
neonatal care, a system using wet-bulb heating
was assembled using articles already available
and manufactured for the pet market.
In order to achieve the desired
humidity and temperature, a towel
is placed over the unit and can be
adjusted to maintain the temperature
& humidity desired. This unit
also provides greater chances of
success when forced to intervene
and assist the hatching process.
When the developmental stage of
the egg reaches draw down and
the egg starts the pipping process,
transfer to this unit is ideal. If left in
the incubator along with other
eggs, the turning mechanism can
not be stopped, nor can you risk
opening the incubator frequently to
closely monitor the hatching
process; temperature and humidity
fluctuation could endanger the viability
or development of the other
eggs. Have an aqua brooder
installed and operating at all times
so that you are ready for the
neglected parent raised chick,
unexpected hatchling or assist
hatching intervention.
We are now trying to establish the
best recommendations as far as
the heaters required to
maintain the desired temperatures
within the unit. We’ll give you an
update in the following issue.
In order to maintain the desired
temperature the chicks are placed
in the floating 2.5 gal. aquarium
inside of a smaller container. It is
essential to monitor the tempera-
Precautions
Monitor the water level to
prevent the floating aquarium
within from tipping over. The
water level should be barely an
inch above the water heater.
A cup of Safety Salt added to
the water will prevent bacteria
from growing in this unit,
although we recommend the
unit be dismantled every week,
disinfected and dried in the sunlight
to rid any bacterial formations
none the less. HARI is
presently testing the use of
natural liquid bleach in highly
The Nursery
THE AQUA BROODER
ture within the floating aquarium in
order to have the accurate reading
of the chicks’ environment.
This dual-purpose unit also serves
as an ideal nursery for neonates.
The environment provides the
humidity required to maintain proper
hydration of neonates, essential to
ensure digestive motility and
absorption.
diluted concentrations and
Oxyfresh for a more effective
bacterial growth inhibitor.
The size of the interior floating
aquarium will depend on the
size and species kept in this
unit. When the hatchling is a few
days old, we place a small towel
or stuffed animal in the aquarium
so that he can lean up
against or snuggle up to it. Make
sure the inside aquarium in not
too restraining. Replace with the
5 gal. aquarium to allow the
chick to be kept in this unit
longer.
The aquarium water heater
Having a heat source generated by heated
water provides the humidity necessary for the
hatching process. Artificially incubated eggs
are removed from the incubator after the first
sign of piping is observed and the rest of the
hatching process takes place in this unit.
NEW FRONT DOOR
This new EXOTERRA terrarium is
an innovative product that is now
being tested at HARI.
Some advantages already noted are:
• This unit offers superior humidity
directly surrounding the chicks. The
removable glass door on the front
panel of the terrarium allows the
humidity generated by the heated
water below to have direct contact
Benoit Guilbault ( facility manager) & Isabelle Huot ( nursery management) Hagen Avicultural Research Institute (HARI)
should not be exposed to the air.
Read instructions carefully.
Always maintain a minimum of
water over the installed heater.
Water will quickly evaporate!
Maintaining a stable temperature
and humidity will be easier
to achieve if the unit is placed in
a small nursery room, where
minimal heat fluctuations are
present. Do not place under an
air vent. Set up the unit in
advance and take a day or 2 to
monitor and record the temperature
and humidity at different
times throughout the day.
Keep records of temp.&
with the chicks environment.
• Another advantage is that the
blanket no longer needs to be
removed to have access to the
chick. It used to be difficult to monitor
and maintain the perfect temperature
when the blanket would
get moved every time we had to
monitor or feed the chick. The
positioning of the blanket plays a
crucial role in maintaining the perfect
environment.
• The size of this unit easily
accommodates 2 chicks at once.
• We are now trying to establish
the best recommendations as far
as the heaters required to maintain
the desired temperatures within
the unit. We’ll give you an update
in the following issue.
Required materials:
10 gal. aquarium
2.5 or 5 gal aquarium
Thermal Compact completely
submersible aquarium heater
1/4 cup of Safety salt
Thermometer
Hydrometer
Towel
Rigid plastic container
Screen top ( terrarium)
humidity, fluctuations, growth
charts, and general observations
for further reference.
Refer to manuals such as Rick
Jordan’s Parrot Incubation
Procedures for recommended
temperature and humidity within
the brooders.
Gradually decrease and adjust
the ambient temp, as the chick
ages. This unit can house
neonates for the first 10 days
depending on the species.
Beware of extreme temperatures.
which will cause panting
and hyperthermia in the chicks.