PROJECT
PYRRHURA
MOLINAE

Development of new artificial incubation and hand-rearing protocols for Pyrrhura molinae

SCOPE OF THE PROJECT: Aviculture and conservation

COLLABORATING ENTITIES

PROJECT LOCATION

PROPOSAL
March 2022

Headquarters of Psittacus Catalonia in Sant Antoni de Vilamajor. Nursery facility dedicated to the Foundation’s projects.

PUBLICATION
(pending)

PROJECT LOCATION

Headquarters of Psittacus Catalonia in Sant Antoni de Vilamajor. Nursery facility dedicated to the Foundation’s projects.

PROPOSAL
March 2022
PUBLICATION
(pending)

PROJECT STATUS

PROJECT STATUS

1
Proposal to be confirmed
2
Preliminary analysis
3
Planning & Design
4
Realization
5
Analysis and interpretation of the results
6
Publication of the results
1
Proposal to be confirmed
2
Preliminary analysis
3
Planning & Design
4
Realization
5
Analysis and interpretation of the results
6
Publication of the results
BACKGROUND The Green-cheeked Parakeet is an increasingly common pet species. This makes it’s captive breeding becoming more important. In general, breeders let the parents carry out the incubation process and at least the first week of rearing the chicks.
However, as with most species, the definition of optimal protocols for artificial incubation and hand-rearing from day one is essential. These two complementary techniques can save a multitude of fertile eggs and boost the productivity of breeding pairs.
OBJECTIVES This project aims to define artificial incubation and hand-rearing protocols for this species. In particular, it aims to provide a solution to the difficulty of hand-rearing this species from an early age.
EXPECTED RESULTS
  • Maximisation of the hatching rate of fertile eggs
  • Maximisation of the viability percentage of hatched chicks
  • Maximisation of growth rates, quality of fledging and final size
APPLICATION For the study, the eggs provided by the breeding centre «Ocells.net» are pulled from the nests on the day of laying. The basic tool for the definition of the new artificial incubation protocol is the DISRUPTIVE incubators of Psittacus Catalonia. Likewise, DISRUPTIVE brooder prototypes are used for the first stages of chick development. The chicks are fed on two PSITTACUS-branded hand feeding formulas: Frugivorous Psittacine Crop Milk during the first days of life and Parrot Hand Feeding Formula thereafter.
GENERAL ASSESSMENT The data obtained in 2022 is considered insufficient and it is decided to continue the study in 2023.