Kiwi chick an early bird

The newly hatched chick. Photo: supplied

An eager kiwi chick couldn't to wait hatch, arriving weeks before hatching season normally starts.

The chick kicked its way out of its shell at Rotorua's Rainbow Springs' National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa, joining just a handful of other chicks that have arrived in winter, rather than spring.

'The chick hatched so quickly that our kiwi husbandry team didn't even have time to grab our camera,” says hatchery manager Emma Bean.

The chick weighed 370 grams, slightly heavier than the average 340g, and was very vocal, strong and already trying to crouch, she says.

It's the first hatching for Operation Nest Egg and the beginning of what is hoped will be a record 2019-20 season for the Rotorua facility, building on last season's 138 hatches.

The chick will remain at the hatchery to grow big and strong for a few more weeks before being released to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, in Pukeatua.

Phil Lyons, CEO of SMM says, they are excited to welcome the new chick and being part of the protection and restoration of New Zealand's national icon is a privilege for them.

'This kiwi chick is the first of 90 we expect to release for the 2019-20 season, and its release is great timing as it will be during Save the Kiwi month in October,” he says.

The chick will form a founder population of kiwi as part of Kiwis for kiwi's Saving the Kiwi strategy.

Michelle Impey, KFK executive director says the chick will grow, find a partner and have chicks of its own.

'In the future, as the maunga starts to fill, the young kiwi will be removed and released to safe places in the wild.”

'This initiative can grow hundreds of kiwi each year but, to be successful, it takes many helping hands along the way. The staff at the National Kiwi Hatchery provide top notch expertise at this critical step in the process,” she says.

The hatchery usually hatches about 130 chicks each year, this season it will have the capacity to care for an extra 35 thanks to a grant from Kiwis for kiwi which has provided extra staff and brooder boxes.

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.