Introduction.

Palm cockatoo chicks have been hand-raised in four of the facilities that responded to the 1992 survey. The following ideas are based on those replies and our experiences at ABRC.

Within the Palm Cockatoo SSP population, the majority of chicks have been hand-raised. Parent- and foster-raised young have been removed as early as twenty days, due to medical problems, or as late as five months. When left with their parents, the chicks should be observed closely and removed at the first signs of neglect. The very few captive parent-raised chicks have fledged between 80 to 100 days. Weaning usually occurs between six to seven months but some may take as long as a year due to poor health.

The hand-rearing process can be a labor-intensive undertaking. It does have several major advantages, including: an increase in the number of chicks produced, the potential for increased genetic diversity, improved ability to monitor a chick's health and development, decreased chance of disease transmission, and decrease in mortality related to poor parenting skills.

Initially, problems arose from lack of information about the species. Chicks were assisted from the egg because their incubation time was longer than that of other cockatoo species. Palm cockatoo chicks are prone to digestive disorders and much time has been spent in the development of diets, husbandry techniques, and medical management to resolve this common problem.

As more chicks are hand-reared, more knowledge about their specific needs is gained. This improved technology has been conducive to the successful rearing of palm cockatoo chicks in nursery settings.

Husbandry and Diet.

Care and husbandry of the palm cockatoo chick in the nursery is similar to that of other cockatoo species. Plastic bowls, tubs, and wire cages are used for housing, depending on the age of the chicks. Paper towels, cloth towels, rubber mesh, pelleted bedding, and wire have all been used as flooring substrates. Brooders of several varieties, including human isolettes, have been used. Cleaning and disinfection procedures are the same as those used with other psittacines.

Due to the lack of first down and the length of time for feather growth in palm cockatoo chicks, it is important to keep them in a warm environment longer than other cockatoo species. Temperatures at day one begin at 35°C to 37.5°C (95°F to 99°F) and are gradually decreased as the chick grows. They are kept in brooders or warm rooms (about 29°C or 85°F) until they are fully feathered. Digestion and skin color may be directly related to environmental temperature.

Chicks receive their first feed when they are visibly dry post-hatching (see feeding schedule table). This first feeding can be either Pedialyte or diluted formula. Feeding intervals are the same as for other cockatoo species. A diluted formula is fed for the first three days and then switched to the regular formula. Feeding amounts are increased and intervals decreased as the chick grows. This is based on the individual chick and the diet being used. Syringe feeding is the most popular and easiest method of hand-feeding. Formula should be fed at 41.5°C (105°F). Microwaved food must be stirred thoroughly to ensure that there are no hot spots. Catheter tipped syringes, with or without a soft rubber tip, can be used. Palm cockatoo chicks have a vigorous and eager feeding response. Numerous diets have been used to successfully raise palm cockatoos, with the birds exhibiting no growth or digestive problems. Their specific nutritional requirements are unknown, but in the last few years fewer problems have been seen. Formulas that have been used successfully are: Monkey Chow based formulas, ABRC's Palm Cockatoo Formula, Kaytee Exact Macaw Formula, Prettybird 19/12 Formula, Lakes hand-feeding Formula, and Kaytee Exact Macaw Formula with added ingredients. Regardless of the diet used, recording daily weights is a good way to monitor a chick's development.

A Monkey Chow based formula was used to raise the majority of chicks in the ABRC nursery prior to 1997. A second formula, ABRC’s Palm Cockatoo Formula, was developed specifically for palm cockatoos because many of them exhibited digestive problems when fed the standard formula. Palm cockatoo chicks at ABRC were fed the Monkey Chow Formula like any other cockatoo chick until digestive disorders became present. They were then typically switched over to a 50/50 mixture of the two formulas. Their digestion usually improved after the switch. Chicks that continued to have problems and did not seem to have a medical etiology sometimes required a few days of straight Palm Cockatoo Formula until digestion improved. They would then be returned to the 50/50 mixture. A number of palm cockatoo chicks were successfully raised to weaning on the Monkey Chow Formula alone. In 1996 and 1997, ABRC experienced gout problems with their palm cockatoo chicks using the two diets they developed and Prettybird 19/12 Formula. They suspect the cause of the gout was due to an increase of vitamin D3 in the manufacture of the Monkey Chow. The makers of the Monkey Chow have been raising this level over the last few years to further refine their diet for monkeys. They do not reccommend feeding it to birds. ABRC worked closely with Kaytee to develop a palm cockatoo hand-rearing formula. Kaytee analyzed the old Monkey Chow diet and came up with a formula which should come close to it. The following is the diet ABRC started using in 1997.

70 g Kaytee Exact Macaw Hand-rearing Diet

20 g sunflower seed (hulled)

40 g apple (fresh)

40 g broccoli (green)

230 g water

Everything is blended together and fed as described above. The first couple days the chicks receive diluted Kaytee Exact Macaw Hand-rearing Diet only and then the rest of the formula is slowly added. After using this diet, ABRC has seen an improvement in the condition of their chicks. (Updated by Mike Taylor from phone conversations with Sharon Wolf)

Riverbanks Zoo hand-raised two palm cockatoo chicks in 1996 and one in 1997. They used the Kaytee Exact Original Formula for the first couple months, then changed to the macaw formula when they finished their supply of the original formula. They gave the first chick peanut oil and Nystatin to prevent Candida. They felt sufficiently confident that they decided to rear the second chick entirely on the Kaytee formula. They experienced no growth or other medical problems. The only problem they experienced was when they tried to wean the second chick, of 1996, along the same timeline as the first and it was not ready to wean (see weaning section of this chapter). Even with both chicks in the same pen, the second chick refused to eat completely on its own.

Saint Catherine’s Island Survival Center also hand-raised two palm cockatoo chicks in 1996. They used Pretty Bird 19/12 formula with their two chicks. They did not experience any growth or other medical problems such as the gout problem experienced by ABRC. The only change to the basic diet was the addition of a small amout of peanut oil to the diet when the chicks started feathering. They started this when they noticed the first chick’s feathers did not look right. (Mike Taylor, pers. com.)

The feeding schedule for palm cockatoo chicks raised at ABRC is based on the following table. However, decisions concerning a chick's progress are made on an individual basis. This information is offered only as a guideline. (See also Appendix 15 and 16 pages 163 and 165.)

Weaning.

Nursery raised palm cockatoo chicks usually start picking at food around the age of 60 days. The types of food offered are very important. Bread sticks, almond toast, dry monkey chow, pine nuts, and peanuts are good foods to start with. After independent eating begins, this menu is expanded to include a sunflower based seed mix and a variety of fruits and vegetables.

There is no hard, set rule regarding weaning times. Each bird should be treated as an individual. Careful weight monitoring is critical at this period; care must be taken to ensure that the bird does not become malnourished due to low caloric intake. A bird that is receiving formula once a day and digesting well should not be rushed into complete independence. Some chicks will wean completely at five months but others may take up to nine months.

Physical Development and Growth Characteristics

Behavioral Manifestations of Illness in Chicks.

Palm cockatoo chicks have unique characteristics, some of which are not medical in basis. They start stamping their feet as early as two weeks. Head shaking, often considered a serious problem, is actually quite normal in development. When approached with food, palm cockatoos are quite vocal, attempting to pump on anything available. Facial color is quite variable within the first few weeks, though a strong facial flush is typical. Pale facial color, sleepiness, and constant crying are behaviors that may be associated with illness.

Neonatal Examinations.

It is ideal to handle chicks when their crops are at least half empty. Even then, care should be taken not to tip the chick on his back, causing it to aspirate. Musculoskeletal corrections such as taping, splinting, and body suits, should be applied when a chick's crop is almost empty, and the chick housed in a deep, padded, snug container. Palm cockatoos rarely require these types of corrections.

Start with an overall appraisal of musculoskeletal symmetry, skin color, and hydration. Also note how the chick sleeps, its position, and whether it is content. The chick's weight and size should correlate with others of the same age and species in the same nursery. Keeping a daily weight record is an excellent way of monitoring a chick's growth.

Starting at the beak, check for deviations of the maxilla to the right or left, and whether there is narrowing or extra growth on either side of the mandible. When the chick closes its beak, the upper should hook over the lower. Beak deviations are rarely seen in palm cockatoo chicks.

Opening a chick's mouth is relatively easy compared to an adult's. Smell the breath since many species have distinct odors. Check the choana, glottis, salivary consistency, and oral cavity. The glottis of a palm cockatoo is quite deep-seated, predisposing it to easy aspiration.

The eyes of palm cockatoo chicks open at 14 to 18 days. The eyelids open slowly, usually slightly above and caudal to the eyes. The lids then develop and move over the eyes. Problem chicks may develop more slowly, though surgical intervention has not been necessary. If the eyes are open, examine as with any other animal.

While in the area of the eye, gently palpate and examine the sinus eye ring. Swellings can be indicative of sinus or respiratory problems. The nares and ears should be clean, non-inflamed, and patent. Head shaking behavior is a normal developmental stage for palm cockatoo chicks, although it may signify sinus or ear problems in other species.

Begin the spinal examination by palpating the neck and noting the position in which it is held. A primary neck problem often results in other, compensatory problems, such as wing, beak, and leg deviations. Follow the spinal cord from head to tail, then gently tip the chick over, checking the symmetry of the sternum and pelvis. Palm cockatoo chicks rarely have spinal cord deformities.

The half-empty crop should be examined for over-all color. Look for hemorrhages, vascular congestion, and edema. Compare the crop size to that of other chicks, checking for stretched, non-functional crops, especially in previously sick chicks. Waves of motility can often be seen in the crop of a healthy chick. Food retention, leading to a stretched crop, is very common in palm cockatoos. Slow digestion can be a subtle indicator of hidden problems. At ABRC, it is not unusual to see an inflammation of the skin over the crop in weaning birds, especially those housed outdoors. This may be related to heat or to insects and resolves without treatment.

The "umbilical" area can be the key to many problems. The area should be sealed off in newly hatched chicks, the skin is often constricted at the site. There may be a dried up tag of tissue attached that usually falls off in two to three days. Fleshy protuberances can be a nidus of infection and need to be tied off and cleaned. This occurs mainly with problem hatches.

Underneath the umbilical cord, it is common to see the absorbed yolk sac. This should disappear in four to five days. Other organs can be visualized as well, including: the liver edge, the intestinal loops, the ventriculus, and the accumulation of subcutaneous and intestinal fat. This area is a wonderful window to monitor progression or deterioration.

Examine the inside of the cloaca with a cotton swab for the degree of hydration, color of the mucus membranes, and the presence of feces. Note the amount, color, and consistency of feces. Scant feces is often an indicator of dehydration and other problems.

When examining wings, legs, and feet, always look for symmetry. Buckled wings detected early can be easily corrected. Wing tip hemorrhages may be early indications of trauma or infections. With cases of leg and feet deviations, palpate up to the femoral head to determine where the deviation starts. Check the toes for plumpness. Constrictions can lead to sloughing of whole digits.

Feather development is species specific and may be retarded in previously sick chicks. Poor development of down feathers can be an early indicator of infection which may surface later. The flank down is slow to mature. The pin feathers (blood feathers) should be examined for hemorrhage, loose follicles, constrictions, and stress lines. Chicks exert a large amount of energy in feather production, making this a very sensitive, stressful time. As the birds feather out, the environmental temperature should be reduced.

Finally, re-examine the condition of the chick's container. Individual, snug-fitting, deep containers with a towel covering part of the top provide a nest-like environment. As the chicks get larger, they can have more room to explore. Monitoring temperature changes in the nursery from day to night may prevent a variety of problems.

Major Disease Problems and Treatments.

The most frequently observed manifestation of illness in the palm cockatoo chick is failure to digest. Many years have been spent trying to devise the right diet and methods to enhance digestion through feeding management and medical treatment, with more success in recent years.

In 1989, Cupcake was hatched at ABRC, and had major digestive problems throughout her life. At six months, this P. a. aterrimus chick had not yet attained a weight of 200 grams. She was a day to day obsession for the nursery and the medical staff. Each day, retained formula was pulled from her crop. The amount of food digested was often estimated to be only 1 to 2 cc in a 24 hour period. Finally, she became neurologic and humane euthanasia was elected. Throughout the bird's life, crop, cloacal, tracheal, and blood cultures had not revealed signs of bacterial or fungal infections. Histopathology reports revealed multi focal aspiration pockets and bacterial granulomas in the lungs. While aspiration may be related to hand-feeding techniques in some cases, it can also be caused by chronic illnesses involving weakness, food retention, regurgitation, and coughing.

In 1993, seventeen palm cockatoos were raised at ABRC. Medical and nursery staff members coordinate efforts to monitor and treat birds with digestive problems. Palm cockatoo chicks are most vulnerable to digestive problems a few days after hatch, at around two months of age, and at weaning. At these critical periods management, as well as medical parameters, should be evaluated. Always assess brooder temperature and intervals of feeding. Problems related to temperature of the environment, formula temperature, feeding amounts, and intervals between feeding are the most common causes of digestive disorders. Cultures should be taken, though bacterial infections are not always the cause.

It is ideal for most neonate psittacines to have an empty crop after the overnight fast. However, residual food between feedings and in the morning is common in palm cockatoos. This amount varies according to the size of the bird, quantity of food, and the number of times fed. In weaning chicks, residual food is usually less than 5 cc. A possible cause for this is the palm cockatoo chick's apparent ability to regurgitate from the proventriculus back into the crop. Care must be taken with assessing the caloric intake of a growing bird. Any chick that is not obtaining enough nutrition to grow will deplete body resources for nutrients.

If digestive problems are exhibited, evaluate hydration. Dehydrated chicks of any age may benefit greatly from subcutaneous fluid therapy. Well-hydrated chicks show improved digestion. A single bolus of subcutaneous fluids, such as Lactated Ringers, is sometimes all that is needed. The preferred site for administering subcutaneous fluids is the inside of the thigh, pointing toward the inguinal area.

Crop bras are an excellent adjunct to other digestive therapies, but are most effective when applied to older chicks. Because palm cockatoos are prone to aspiration, it may be helpful to remove the crop bra while feeding the bird.

Digestive problems in chicks from pinfeather to weaning can be grouped together. It is a common mistake to feed diluted food, more times a day, reducing the calorie intake. A better solution may be the reverse - feeding full strength formula, increasing the amount, and increasing the interval of time between - total caloric intake remaining the same. Crops which fail to empty, can be emptied via feeding tube. Care must be taken when attempting this procedure so as not to damage the crop wall. Fresh formula can then be fed.

Weaning chicks that have free access to water may appear to be retaining formula, but the real problem may be over-consumption of water. If this is suspected, a simple preliminary approach is to remove access to food and water for 24 hours, leaving the bird with access only to syringe fed food.

In some cases, digestive problems are the result of bacterial and fungal infections. These microorganisms proliferate in warm, humid environments, common in psittacine nurseries. Gastrointestinal infections are best assessed by cloacal cultures. It is accepted that many normal chicks will grow low levels of Gram negative bacteria, species varying by nursery. Flora from crop cultures is often directly related to the bacterial content of hand-feeding formula. It is common to culture yeast from a palm cockatoo chick's crop. Because this is a common cause of digestive problems in palm cockatoos, birds are treated after yeast is cultured, even if they appear clinically normal. At ABRC, we treat with Nystatin, Ketoconazole, or a combination of the two. Vitamin C may be a potential treatment for control of low grade yeast infections. Antibiotics, if indicated, are easy to administer orally to chicks because of the feeding response. Chicks with crop stasis should receive antibiotics subcutaneously or intramuscularly until digestion is returned to normal. The subcutaneous route is preferred in chicks with little keel muscle to prevent inflammation to the muscle. Chicks being treated with antibiotics are given Nystatin concurrently.

CBCs and blood chemistries can be used to screen for infections and to evaluate a chick's organ function and nutritional status. While these tests usually require a larger amount of blood than can be obtained from a debilitated chick, a toenail clip can yield a sample sufficient for a PCV, total solids, and a WBC estimate. Specific normals for CBC and blood chemistries for palm cockatoo chicks have not been established at this time. ABRC staff members refer to the normals established for other cockatoo species.

If not properly addressed, maldigestion typically leads to malnutrition. In addition to other parameters, it is crucial to monitor the patient's uric acid, calcium, and albumin levels. Uric acid typically increases while the calcium and albumin decline. Uricemia (uric acid in the blood) is a better terminology than kidney failure because we are not sure whether this is pre-renal or renal. In the seriously compromised patient, an intravenous catheter can be placed into the jugular to give direct access to the venous (circulatory) system, facilitating transfusions, parenteral nutrition, antibiotic therapies, and the administration of Reglan to enhance digestion. Reglan may be administered subcutaneously if an intravenous catheter has not been placed.

Neonate Mortality.

With advancements in husbandry, diet and pediatric medicine, mortality in palm cockatoo chicks is relatively low. In cases of death, necropsy techniques are the same as those used on adult birds. However, special attention should be applied to lymphoid organs, i.e. bursa and thymus. These organs, the original basis of the immune system, involute with age and are invaluable in assessing the bird's immune status. Tissues are routinely submitted for histopathology. If the situation warrants, tissues may be frozen.

See Appendix 2, Manufacturers List for the diet manufacturers

Appendix 7, Drug Information for drug dosages

Appendix 8, Routine Physical Exam Form

Appendix 9, List of Avian Diagnostics Laboratories

Appendix 10, Microbiology Worksheet

Appendix 11, Growth Charts from ABRC

Appendix 12, Hematology Values for Juvenile Cockatoos from ABRC

Appendix 13, Hematology/Chemistry/Serology Records from ISIS and WOCC

Appendix 14, Hand-reared Palm Cockatoo Chick Weights from ABRC

Appendix 15, SSP Necropsy and Histopathology Techniques/Recommendations

Chapter IX, Chick Rearing Accounts

For further information or comments, please contact Mike Taylor

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