Stunted Macaws

Abstract

Stunting is the most common problem seen in handfed parrots today. Many aviculturists, for a variety of reasons, are not able to recognize this insidious development in their handfed nestlings until much more serious problems have evolved. Stunted birds are most likely immunologically weakened and more susceptible to infectious disease than normally developed birds. Permanent physical deformities may plague the bird for the remainder of its life, including inadequate or deformed skeletal systems, beak deformities, inadequate psychological development, damaged or poorly developed internal organ systems and questionable reproductive capabilities.

When a bird is stunted from inadequate amounts of food or the lack of a nutritional food, the head grows disproportionately large for the rest of the body. Thin extremities (toes and wings) are a common pediatric symptom. Hyacinth Macaw adolescents have been seen the size of young Scarlet Macaws. One bird was at least 450g undersized for a Hyacinth. There are variations in size of birds (just as in humans) but there should not be a huge difference between the nestlings and their parents. Hyacinths, Green-wingeds and Buffon 's are commonly seen stunted birds due to their higher weights. Novice handfeeders or those used to smaller macaw species are especially likely to incur stunting, but it can occur in any handfed bi.rd.

Macaws should be increasing the amount they are eating every few clays or, minimally, each week while in their growing stage. As their weights level out and they start eating weaning food, the amount of formula they need decreases. On the large macaws this does not occur until they are over 50 to 60 days old, and in the case of a Hyacinth 70 to 80 days old. We do not know yet whether stunting has any effect on the bird's ability to reproduce.

The human induced metabolic condition is the result of one or all of the following conditions:

1) Nutritionally deficient diets.

2) Insufficient amount of food; Low volumes of formula. Inadequate number of feedings per day.

3) Medical condition preventing the

normal dige tion and absorption process,
low grade toxicity (visceral or articular
gout, vitamin D3 toxicity),
bacterial infection (Candida, E. coli),
viruses (papova, chlamydia) and
trauma, e.g., burned crop.
The Three Stages of Stunting
Earl y stage: These birds are not being
supported nutritionally (or possibly
medically) to allow them to reach their
genetically predestined size. lf their
condition is recognized in time, their retarded
development ca n be corrected
and they will achieve their normal size.
Early detection of stunting can be determined
by experienced hanclfeeders
who review their bird' weight records
daily and compare them with previously
recorded normal growth data
for th e species being handfed. Unfortunately,
inexperienced handfeeders may
not keep weight records or have no data
to compare their bird's weight with.
Consultations with other aviculturists
who have bred the species will be essential
to newcomers who might otherwise
fail to catch stunting in this early
stage.
Intermediate stage: Characteristically,
the head and feet remain close to normal
size but the body size is more seriously affected.
111e body is stunted in both length
and girth. Most intennediate stage birds
survive. Not being adequately fed produces
bone structure that does not
reach its genetic potential and is often
accompanied by distortion of the skeleton.
The majority of this ection will deal
with this group of birds.
Advanced stage: These birds are so
extremely underfed that they are grossly
deformed. Severe nutritional problems
have occurred which might also be accompanied
by opponunistic secondary
infections such as Candida or E. coli.
These birds generally die befo re they
reach the feathering stage.
Stunting can occur in any species,
however the likelihood increases in the
larger parrots such as Amazons, cockatoos
and macaws because of the larger
volumes of food required for normal
growth. In the hands of inexperienced
handfeeders these birds are often
weaned many weeks before nature intended.
For instance, 22 to 26 weeks is
average length of time to wean a Hyacinth
Macaw at Raintree Macaws.