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A Survey of Recent Husbandry and Breeding Techniques of Curassows at the Houston Zoo by Rene Ryan Bird Keeper, Houston Zoo rene.m.ryan@gmail.com
Introduction We ll be covering activity from 2008 2010 2010 including: Species Collection Animals Housing and Diet Breeding Incubation Rearing
Species at Houston Zoo Yellow knobbed curassow Blue billed curassow Crax daubentoni Crax alberti Wattled Curassow Crax globulosa Northern Helmeted Curassow Pauxi pauxi
Curassow Populations at Houston Zoo 2008 2010 Wattled Curassows 2008 with 2.1 birds Bt Between 2008 and 2010 03hthd01 0.3 hatched, 0.1 were shipped out, 1.0 10was shipped in, and 2.0 died Ended 2010 with 1.3 birds Northern Helmeted Curassows 2008 with 2.2 birds Between 2008 and 2010 1.0 hatched Ended 2010 with 3.2 birds Blue billed Curassows 2008 with 13birds 1.3 Between 2008 and 2010 1.1 hatched (from White Oak), 1.2 were shipped in, 0.1 was shipped out, 0.1 died Ended 2010 with 34birds 3.4
Housing A variety of enclosures are used but all recent breeding successes have been in the indoor rainforest, pictured above center.
Cagemates Many mixed species enclosures Typically not problematic Problems often involve other factors Curassows are not always the aggressor Negative interactions with: Plush crested jays, Whitebellied go away birds, Roul rouls, Blue crowned hanging parrot, Sunbitterns.
Diet 1 ½ cups galliform mix daily During breeding season, small amounts of shredded cheese, avocado, peanuts, or (rarely) a mouse hopper.
General Breeding Techniques Challenges Incompatible pairs/behavior Age Medical problems Ways to approach issues Change pair location Change enclosure Supervised introductions Re pair birds
Wattled Curassow Breeding 1.1 (SB# 221 X 185) initially off exhibit, separated with supervised visits due to aggression from 1.0. Copulation, no eggs. Pair moved to rainforest where breeding occurs. Hen lays 10 eggs, 5 fertile, 3 hatch. 1.0 dies in an accident on 3/21/09. 0.1 (185) moved to pheasant run on 4/9/09 to be paired with remaining 1.0 (SB# 164), housed in adjacent enclosures, then introduced. 1.0 attacks 0.1 the day following introduction and the pairing will not be repeated. 1.0 (SB# 228) received from different institution on 3/31/10, housed side by side with 0.1 (185) off exhibit and then introduced. Due to aggression from 0.1 introductions take place inside 0.1 s enclosure. 0.1 lays 2 infertile eggs. 1.3 (SB# 228 X 185, 229, 231) are introduced to the rainforest on 10/21/10.
Northern Helmeted Curassow Breeding 1.2 (SB# s 119 X 20, 25) initially off exhibit and separated, supervised visits but no eggs. 1.1 introduced to rainforest on 4/6/09 (SB# 119 X 20). 1.0 0is extremely aggressive to staff, guests, removed from rainforest. 1.0 is only introduced to rainforest under supervision when hen is expected to ovulate and is otherwise off exhibit. Hen lays 12 eggs, 1 fertile, 1 hatched. Numerous broken eggs. 1.1 introduced in pheasant run on 4/9/09 (SB# 14 X 25) housed separately, tl supervised introductions. 2 eggs laid off a perch. 0.1 s condition begins to deteriorate 9/09, introductions stop. No major improvement until 10/10; introductions resume, but 0.1 s condition declines dramatically in 11/10 and intros cease.
Blue billed Curassow Breeding 1.0 (SB# 30) initially has supervised visits off exhibit with 0.2 (SB# 17 & 23) oldest hens due to 1.0 s aggressive history. Some copulation but no eggs. Remaining 0.1 (SB# 50) not sexually mature. Intros begin with her in 2009 but hen is disinterested, i d avoids 1.0 0(SB# 30), no eggs. 7/27/09: 0.2 (SB# 60 & 61) birds acquired from different facility, 1.0 (SB# 30) is introduced to these hens. Interactions with one hen (61) indifferent, no eggs laid. Second hen (60) appears imprinted, solicits keepers repeatedly but retreats from male and shows extreme distress in 1.0 s presence. 4 infertile eggs laid in 09. This hen prolapses p on 1/1/10. 2010: Introductions to oldest two hens (17 & 23) stopped due to availability of younger birds. Other 0.3 (50, 60, & 61) hens indifferent to or avoid the male. Imprinted 0.1 (60) lays 4 infertile eggs, prolapses, dies 5/5/10. / 5/14/10: 1.0 (49) received from different facility, housed side by side and then paired in same enclosure with remaining 0.1 (61) acquired in 09. 1.1 show some breeding behavior and copulation is observed. 1 infertile, 1 broken 1 and 1 soft shelled egg.
Eggs and Incubation Eggsincubated at 99.5F and 55% humidity Target weight loss about 15% 17% Incubation period 30 31 days
Northern Helmeted Curassow Eggs (Grumbach) EL375 weight loss ~17% assist hatch day 31 Wattled CurassowEggs (Parent/Chicken) EL496 EDE probably at day 9 (Grumbach) EL497 weight loss ~ 19% hthdd hatched day 29 (Chicken) EL529 LDE probably at day 29 (Grumbach) EL22 weight loss ~20% hatched day 29 (Grumbach) EL107 weight loss ~15% hatched day 30 Blue billed Curassow Eggs (From White Oak) (Grumbach)EL274 LDE probably day 28 (Grumbach)EL275 weight loss ~15% assist hatch day 30 (Grumbach)EL276 weight loss ~14% hatch day 31 Egg Data
Rearing Artificial Options Foster with domestic chicken broody Hand rear d alone or with ihchicken chicks Chick Diet Expected Weight Gains
Rearing Data Northern Helmeted Curassow 1.0 chick foster reared with chicken broody, had initial medical problems, hatched with assistance Wattled Curassow 0.2 chicks raised with domestic chicken broody 0.1 chick is hand raised with domestic chicken chickcompanions companions (no broodies sitting) Blue billed Curassow 1.0 chick had initial medical problems, assist hatched, hand reared with chicken chick companions (rejected by domestic chicken broodies) 0.1 chick foster reared with broody chicken
Acknowledgements Special thanks to Hannah Bailey and Chris Holmes Houston Zoo Bird Department Staff ASAG Photo Credits Chris Holmes Bill Konstant Samantha Montgomery Matt Schmit