Avi Plus Handrearing Phase 2
Complete Hand-Rearing Nutrition for Rapidly Growing Chicks
Avi Plus Handrearing Phase 2 1kg is a specialised complete hand-rearing formula designed for the second major growth stage of young birds.
From approximately 2 weeks of age until fledging, chicks continue to grow extremely rapidly. Their developing bodies require easily absorbed protein, concentrated energy and carefully balanced nutrients, while their digestive systems are still relatively immature.
Avi Plus has formulated Avi Plus Handrearing Phase 2 1kg specifically for this period. The formula contains highly digestible protein together with fat supplied partly through palm oil, helping provide the energy required for fast growth and development.
Additional amino acids and fatty acids support the early stages of feather formation, while probiotics and prebiotics help establish healthy intestinal flora.
Key Benefits
- Complete hand-rearing formula for young birds
- Intended from approximately 2 weeks until fledging
- Commonly used from around 2 to 6 weeks of age
- Formulated for the rapid growth phase
- Contains highly digestible protein
- Palm oil provides an important source of dietary fat
- Contains important amino acids
- Fatty acids support early feather development
- Added probiotics support intestinal microbial balance
- Contains prebiotics for digestive support
- Helps support the immature gastrointestinal tract
- Includes immune-supporting ingredients
- Designed as the chick's complete nutritional source
- No additional vitamin or mineral supplementation required
- Mixes easily with water for hand feeding
- Convenient 1kg pack
Designed for the Fastest Growth Stage
Young chicks grow at an extraordinary rate during the first few weeks of life.
Avi Plus Handrearing Phase 2 1kg provides elevated levels of readily digestible protein and fat to help meet these demanding nutritional requirements. Protein supplies the amino acids required for growing tissues, while dietary fat provides a concentrated energy source.
Avi Plus specifically includes additional critical amino acids during Phase 2 because this period corresponds with the first major stage of feather formation.
Good nutrition during this stage provides an important nutritional foundation for normal growth and plumage development.
Digestive Support
A chick's digestive system is still developing during the Phase 2 stage.
For this reason, Avi Plus Handrearing Phase 2 1kg uses highly digestible ingredients and contains probiotics and prebiotics to help establish healthy gastrointestinal flora.
Digestive health is particularly important in hand-reared chicks because poor preparation, incorrect feeding temperature, overfeeding or inadequate crop emptying can interfere with normal digestion.
Careful preparation and feeding technique are therefore just as important as choosing the correct formula.
Feeding Stage
Avi Plus Handrearing Phase 2 1kg is designed for chicks from approximately:
2 weeks of age until fledging.
For many parrots, this corresponds approximately to 2 to 6 weeks of age, although fledging age varies considerably between species.
Avi Plus offers different formulas for different developmental stages, including:
- Handrearing Phase 1 for newly hatched chicks
- Handrearing Phase 2 for the rapid growth stage
- Handrearing Finisher for the later period approaching weaning
- Specialised Macaw and Parakeet hand-rearing formulas
How to Prepare Avi Plus Handrearing Phase 2
Good hygiene is essential when preparing hand-rearing formula.
Begin with boiling water that has been allowed to cool to approximately 50°C.
Add the required amount of Avi Plus Handrearing Phase 2 1kg and mix thoroughly until all lumps have disappeared.
Allow the prepared formula to cool to:
4045°C before feeding.
Always check the temperature accurately before feeding a chick.
Formula below 40°C may slow digestion and contribute to food remaining in the crop for too long. Formula that is too hot can cause serious crop burns.
Mixing Guide
Avi Plus gives the following formula-to-water ratios by volume for Phase 2:
| Chick Age | Formula : Water |
|---|
| 1014 days | 1 : 4 |
| 1421 days | 1 : 4 |
| 2842 days | 1 : 3 |
As chicks grow, the formula becomes thicker to match their changing nutritional and digestive requirements.
Follow the current pack directions for the individual chick's age and species.
How Much to Feed
Avi Plus recommends approximately:
1012% of the chick's current body weight per feed.
For some smaller species, this may increase to approximately:
15% of current body weight per feed.
Feeding excessive volumes can overstretch the crop, slow crop emptying and increase the risk of regurgitation and aspiration.
The chick should be weighed regularly so that feeding volumes can be adjusted as body weight increases.
Crop Management
Establish a feeding routine that allows the crop to almost empty between feeds.
Avi Plus also recommends that the crop be allowed to empty completely at least once every 24 hours.
This helps prevent formula from remaining in the crop for excessive periods where it may sour or ferment.
Monitor chicks for:
- Normal crop filling
- Normal crop emptying
- Consistent weight gain
- Strong feeding response
- Normal droppings
- Normal activity and development
A chick with a crop that fails to empty, repeated regurgitation, weakness, poor weight gain or difficulty feeding should receive prompt attention from an avian veterinarian or experienced hand-rearer.
Complete Formula: Do Not Add Supplements
Avi Plus Handrearing Phase 2 1kg is formulated as a complete hand-rearing diet.
Avi Plus specifically advises against routinely adding additional:
- Vitamin supplements
- Mineral supplements
- Amino acid supplements
- Other foods
Adding extra products can disturb the carefully balanced nutrient ratios of the formula.
Species with specialised nutritional requirements should be managed according to appropriate professional feeding guidance.
Hygiene When Hand Feeding
Young chicks are particularly vulnerable to digestive infections, making strict hygiene essential....
