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Aspergillosis

Since in normal nesting behavior, the Eclectus hen rarely if at all leaves the nest box, respiratory diseases related to inappropriate or unclean nesting materials occurs in a higher frequency than other psittacine species. Particularly in those circmstances with fresh chipped Eucalyptus, peat moss or added humidity can and should be expected to result in a higher risk of respiratory pathogen exposure to the hen. Aspergillosis is a particularly common respiratory disease seen in the Eclectus, and, if seen particularly in females, should lead the attending veterinarian to suspect and investigate nesting site quality.

Avicultural Data

Average age of first breeding: 2-4 years. Fertility in the male should be expected to increase during this time period.

Relative difficulty to breed: Eclectus are naturally and aviculturally quite prolific - and can breed year-round.

Breeding flights: Both walk-in and suspended breeding flights are used. Suspended flights are becoming more popular as the preferred breeding flight, primarily due to its overall benefits in avicultural management techniques.

Average flight dimensions:

Walk-in: 3-4' wide X 6-10' long X 8' high Suspended: 4" wide X 4-10' long X 3-4' high

Nest box: The "Z" box is by far the most popular design in Eclectus aviculture. The deep grandfather clock design can also yield good production in the vertical and even sometimes in the horizontal position. Location of the nest box in the flight can vary greatly - although low-placement of the nest boxes is uncommon. Adequate perching sites immediately outside the entrance of the box for the male is recommended.

Nesting materials: Pine/fir shavings or chips are commonly used in nest boxes. Eucalyptus chips or leaves have been recommended as a nesting trigger, however, these may introduce large amounts of Aspergillus spores to the nesting environment, resulting in a higher incidence of aspergillosis, particularly in the hens who spend most of their time in the boxes. Peat moss, potting soil, additional humidity or heat are not recommended for next box maintenance.

Egg production: The average clutch size is two. The daughters of larger clutch producing hens tend to produce larger clutch sizes - suggesting that selection for this trait may be a production oriented choice in some avicultural settings.

Clutches produced per year: The average number of clutches produced per year is four. Year-round breeding can be done, however nutritional and physical depletion of those hens is a concern in the long-term management of the breeding pair. Often, removal of the nesting site after 4-5 clutches is done to allow the hens to rest.

Incubation period: 28 days.

Fertility: Usually approaching 100% in established pairs

Hatchability: Generally very good. Incubation and hatching Eclectus is comparatively less complicated than many other psittacine bird species.

Parenting ability: Eclectus are generally excellent parents, and rarely kill, mutilate or starve their chicks when allowed to hatch and rear their own offspring.

Diet: Adults and breeders generally should only consume seed mixes up to 30% of their daily diet. Large amounts of fresh foods including soaked and cooked formulations of beans and rice are used to compose the bulk of the remainder of these bird's diet. Vitamin supplementation is not recommended as a routine part of maintenance, as vitamin D3 toxicosis has been encountered.

References
1. Forshaw, J: Parrots of the World, 1973, pp 265-282.
2. Low, R: Parrots, Their Care and Breeding. 1986, pp 140-144.
3. Arthur, W, Bauer, F, Desborough, L: A Complete Guide to Eclectus Parrots. 1987
4. Speer, BL: The Eclectus Parrot: Medicine and Avicultural Aspects. In: Proc Assoc Avian Vet, 1989, pp 239-247.
5. Speer, BL: Selected Pediatric Viral Diseases. In: Pediatrics, Part II, Speer, BL and Fudge AM (eds), Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine, Vol 2, No 3, WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1993, pp125-135.
6. Dahlhausen, B, Radabaugh S: Update on Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease and Polyomavirus Testing. In: Proc Assoc Avian Vets, 1993, pp 5-7.
7. Macwhirter, P: Malnutrition. In: Ritchie, BW, Harrison GJ, and Harrison, LR (eds): Avian Medicine: Principles and Application, Lake Worth, Wingers Publishing, 1994, pp 843-861.
8. Harrison, GJ, Flamer, K, Harrison, LR: Choosing a Bird. In: Harrison, GJ, Harrison, LR (eds): Clinical Avian Medicine and Surgery, Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 1986, pp 3-11.
9. Perry, RA: The Avian Patient. In: Harrison, GJ, Harrison, LR (eds): Clinical Avian Medicine and Surgery, Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 1986, pp 26-44.
10. Speer, BL: The Pathogen vs the Pathogenesis: A Different View of Avicultural Medicine. Proc Assoc Avian Vet, 1994, pp373-377.
11. Flammer, K, Clubb, SL: Neonatology. In: Avian Medicine, Principles and Application, Ritchie BR, Harrison GJ and Harrison LR (eds); Wingers Publishing, LakeWorth, pp 805-805-838, 1994.
12. Flammer, K, Drewes, LA: Environmental Sources of Gram-negative Bacteria in an Exotic Bird Farm. Proc Jean Delacour/Intl Found for the Conservation of Birds, Intl Symp on Breeding Birds in Captivity, 1983, pp 83-93.

Brian L Speer, DVM

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