Growth curves and their implications in hand-fed Monk parrots (Myiopsitta monachus)

Figures & data

Table 1 Feeding protocol for 2011 hand-fed Monk parrots

Age (days)	Body weight (g)	Volume per feeding	Formula to water (kcal/mL)	Feeding times
0–4	5–9	0.3–0.7 mL	One part formula A: three parts water (1.0 kcal/mL)	3 am, 6 am, 8 am, 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm, 8 pm, 10 pm, 12 am
5–8	10–15	0.5–1 mL	One part formula A: two parts water (1.3 kcal/mL)	6 am, 8 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm, 8 pm, 10 pm, 12 am
9–21	20–50	2–5 mL	One part formula B: three parts water (0.82 kcal/mL)	6 am, 9 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, 7 pm, 10 pm
22–40	60–80	6–8 mL	One part formula B: two parts water (1.1 kcal/mL)	6 am, 10 am, 2 pm, 6 pm, (10 pm)
41–60	90–120	6–10 mL	One part formula B: two parts water (1.1 kcal/mL)	6 am, 10 am, 2 pm, (8 pm) offer weaning foods

Notes: Commercially available diets were used for this protocol. Feed dilution and number of feedings were calculated to meet the estimated energy requirements of the growing Monk parrots using the estimated calories of the chosen commercial diets. Feeding times in parenthesis indicate an optional feeding which may be given to birds if their crops were not full and the bird was showing signs of hunger. Formula A represents Harrison’s Neonatal Formula, Formula B represents Zupreem Embrace Plus. Volume per feeding was estimated from percent of body weight that can be safely fed to baby birds.⁵

Figure 1 Growth curves for Monk parrots hand-fed by the Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center (Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA).

Notes: Filled triangles represent Monk parrots hand-fed in 2010, and open squares represent those that were parent-raised. Adapted from Caccamise DF, Alexandro PJ. Growth rate in the Monk parakeet. Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 1976;88(3):495–497.¹

Table 2 Growth rate indicators in Monk parrots hand-fed at Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center (Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA) compared to parent-raised Monk parrots

Number of observations	Black dot (n=6)	Green dot (n=3)	Pink dot (n=6)	Red dot (n=3)	Hand-fed 2010 (n=7)	Parent-raised (n=3)
Peak weight prefledging (g)*	113.0^a,b	125.0^a	112.0^a,b	105.7^a,b	121.2^a	97.7^b
Age at peak weight (days)**	34.3^c	34.0^b,c	40.8^a,b	45.3^a	42.8^a	29.3^c

Notes: Letters that differ across rows (^{a, b, c}) are significantly different (P<0.05). Colored dot labels are the subgroups of birds hand-fed in 2011.

* P=0.016;

** P<0.0001. Adapted from Caccamise DF, Alexandro PJ. Growth rate in the Monk parakeet. Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 1976;88(3):495–497.¹

Abbreviation: n, number.

Figure 2 Average growth curves for subgroups of Monk parrots raised at the Schubot Exotic Birds Health Center in 2010 and 2011.

Notes: The birds hand-fed in 2011 were split into four groups: black dot (filled triangles); pink dot (filled circles); green dot (filled squares); and red dot (filled diamonds). Open triangles represent birds hand-fed in 2010. Open squares are birds that were parent-raised. Adapted from Caccamise DF, Alexandro PJ. Growth rate in the Monk parakeet. Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 1976;88(3):495–497.¹

Figure 3 Average growth curves for Monk parrots raised at the Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center in 2010 and 2011.

Notes: Filled circles represent Monk parrots hand-fed in 2011. Open triangles represent birds hand-fed in 2010. Open squares are birds that were parent-raised. Adapted from Caccamise DF, Alexandro PJ. Growth rate in the Monk parakeet. Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 1976;88(3):495–497.¹

Figure 4 Average energy intake of all birds hand-fed in 2011 compared to energy equations.

Notes: Birds hand-fed in 2011 (filled circles) were compared to one (long dash–dot line) and two times (short dash line) the nonpasserine maintenance energy equation⁷ used to hand-feed 2011 birds; the modified equation represents the adult Monk parrot maintenance energy requirements $\left(1.87*0.5404*\mathrm{W}^0.7545,\mathrm{W}=\mathrm{g}\right)$(1) (dotted line), 1.4 times the adult Monk parrot maintenance energy requirements (solid line), and two times the adult Monk parrot maintenance energy requirements (long dash line). The sets of triple lines through the filled circles show the changes in energy needs as the Monk parrots grew.

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