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ECHIDNA MILK REPLACER
As described in elsewhere in this web site (please click
here to read), this product is available in 2 stages or
strengths for different aged joeys.
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Front Label |
Rear Label |
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Stage <30
Available in
1 litre packs |
For joeys less than 30
days old.
Furless. Pink skin. Eyes Closed. Pouch bound.
Faeces: Yellow custard to toothpaste consistency. |
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Stage >30
Available in
1 litre packs |
For joeys older than 30
days old.
Fur: By 60 days furred with spines emerging.
Faeces: Toothpaste to soft then firm green pellets. |
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Gradually change joey from one milk stage to the next as
indicated in the chart below. This chart is only a guide and does not
take into account differences due to sex or subspecies.
Echidna young suck vigorously and milk can be consumed up
to a rate of 2ml per minute. This rapid intake of milk with high
nutrient content means that young echidna feed infrequently and intervals
between feeds may be as long as 48 hours.
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Milk |
Age
Days |
Body Length
mm |
Weight
g |
Feed
ml/day |
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<30 |
Up to 30 |
115 |
95 |
As per label |
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Transition |
31 to 35 |
12ml <30 + 3ml >30 |
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15 |
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from |
36 to 40 |
9ml <30 + 6ml >30 |
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15 |
| <30
to >30 |
41 to 45 |
6ml <30 + 9ml >30 |
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15 |
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46 to 49 |
3ml <30 + 12ml >30 |
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15 |
>30
Out of Pouch |
60 |
200 |
360 |
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*** Age estimation based on body length becomes
inaccurate when applied to more advanced juveniles. Echidna young
leave the pouch at similar ages but at vastly different sizes. It
is also difficult to accurately measure body length in older juveniles.
Age estimation based on body weight is inaccurate after day 50.
Growth rate is now about 20g per day. |
WEANING
Once joey has reached about 500g introduce solid food
into the diet. Start by mixing small amounts of Wombaroo
Small Carnivore Food into the
milk. Over about 4 weeks, slowly increase the amount of solids while
decreasing the amount of milk. During this time the mix should change
in consistency from a thin porridge to a thick paste. At about 700g
change to the adult diet.
INTRODUCING ADULT DIET
Mix about 9 parts of Wombaroo
Small Carnivore Food with 1 part
of finely crushed termite mound, including some termites. Slowly mix
with water to the desired consistency.
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