Zoo News
Gentoo Penguin Chicks
The five Gentoo penguin chicks, on display in the Scott Aquarium, can be seen in a playpen. They were hatched in December, and raised by their parents but in order for the chicks to learn to eat from humans, they must be separated. Keepers will work closely with the chicks, starting at three times per day to teach them to hand feed. This separation typically happens at 30 days of age, when the birds are “weaned” from being fed the regurgitated formula from their parents. They are able to eat and digest whole fish and will soon begin to lose their down feathers. Once they fledge (lose all of their down and are completely covered with adult plumage) the birds will come out of the playpen to join the rest of the flock.
The beauty of the playpen is that the birds can still see, smell, and hear all of the other birds in the penguin exhibit, including their parents. This ensures that the penguins integrate easily into the flock once they are released from the pen.