Gramadozoo, in Gramado, managed to reproduce emus and macaws using artificial incubation. The fertile eggs are removed from the enclosures and placed in the incubator installed at the veterinary hospital. The three emu chicks were the first to be born, between October 17th and 27th. Afterwards, two more births of Scarlet Macaws were recorded, on the 30th and 31st of October. Last week, on December 6th and 8th, two more macaw chicks were born.
Veterinarian Jorge Lima, technical manager at Gramadozoo, explains that the park has already been successful in reproducing the two species naturally. However, he notes that births are more difficult to register as they are exposed to more challenges than when receiving artificial care. “In the incubator, we can control the temperature and humidity. While the average temperature in the brooder is around 37.5°C, humidity should vary between 45% and 50%,” he reveals.
In addition to an incubator, the veterinarian has an Animal Treatment Unit (ACU), which receives newborns. The expert highlights that puppies require special care after birth. “Maw chicks require more care because they are altricial. They need food, warmth and parental care. They are born with their eyes closed and live in the nest until they reach maturity. Emus, on the other hand, are different. They are precocial, that is, they are independent puppies, born with eyes open and begin to walk early”, he compares.
According to Lima, the macaws are fed every two hours when they are born. “Newborns receive food as their crop empties. The puppies that were born first are approximately 45 days old and now receive food three times a day. There are 180 grams of special baby food at a time,” she says.
Gramadozoo, in Gramado, managed to reproduce emus and macaws using artificial incubation. The fertile eggs are removed from the enclosures and placed in the incubator installed at the veterinary hospital. The three emu chicks were the first to be born, between October 17th and 27th. Afterwards, two more births of Scarlet Macaws were recorded, on the 30th and 31st of October. Last week, on December 6th and 8th, two more macaw chicks were born.
Veterinarian Jorge Lima, technical manager at Gramadozoo, explains that the park has already been successful in reproducing the two species naturally. However, he notes that births are more difficult to register as they are exposed to more challenges than when receiving artificial care. “In the incubator, we can control the temperature and humidity. While the average temperature in the brooder is around 37.5°C, humidity should vary between 45% and 50%,” he reveals.
In addition to an incubator, the veterinarian has an Animal Treatment Unit (ACU), which receives newborns. The expert highlights that puppies require special care after birth. “Maw chicks require more care because they are altricial. They need food, warmth and parental care. They are born with their eyes closed and live in the nest until they reach maturity. Emus, on the other hand, are different. They are precocial, that is, they are independent puppies, born with eyes open and begin to walk early”, he compares.
According to Lima, the macaws are fed every two hours when they are born. “Newborns receive food as their crop empties. The puppies that were born first are approximately 45 days old and now receive food three times a day. There are 180 grams of special baby food at a time,” she says.