Feed Calculator
The Feed Calculator suite provides quick-reference milk feeding plans for orphaned flying foxes and macropod joeys in care. It calculates the total daily volume, per-feed amount, number of feeds per day, and the correct formula stage based on the animal's age, weight, or developmental measurements.
Overview
Reliable feeding is one of the highest-risk aspects of caring for milk-dependent native wildlife. Overfeeding causes bloat and aspiration; underfeeding leads to poor growth and deficiencies. The Feed Calculator reduces guesswork by providing guideline volumes derived from commonly-referenced feeding guides (Wombaroo, WIRES, Tolga Bat Hospital).
Feed Calculator results are guideline values only. Always monitor body condition and weight gain, adjust volumes to suit the individual animal, and consult your vet or manufacturer documentation when in doubt.
Accessing the Calculators
From the main dashboard header, click Tools to reach the /tools landing page. Two feed calculators are available:
- Flying Fox Feed Calculator — Grey-headed and Little Red Flying Fox pups
- Macropod Joey Feed Calculator — Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Red-necked Wallaby, Swamp Wallaby, Common Wallaroo
The tools are client-side only — no data is saved to your organisation.
Flying Fox Feed Calculator
Produces a feed plan for flying-fox pups based on either age (in days) or forearm length (in mm).
Inputs
| Field | Options |
|---|---|
| Species | Grey-headed Flying Fox, Little Red Flying-fox |
| Milk Formula | Wombaroo Flying-fox Milk Replacer, Wombaroo Impact (colostrum substitute), Di-Vetelact |
| Measurement | Age in days or forearm length in mm |
Outputs
| Output | Description |
|---|---|
| Stage | Developmental bucket (Neonate → Early pup → Growing pup → Young juvenile → Juvenile → Pre-weaning → Weaning) |
| Expected weight | Midpoint weight for the stage, in grams |
| Total daily feed | Total milk volume per 24 hours, in mL |
| Feeds per day | Number of feeds (6 for neonates, tapering to 2 at weaning) |
| Per-feed mL | Volume per individual feed |
| Stage notes | Care reminders relevant to the stage (e.g., thermoregulation) |
| Formula guidance | Advice on whether the selected formula is appropriate at this stage |
Conflict Warnings
If both age and forearm are entered and they imply different stages, the calculator uses the forearm-derived stage and raises a warning so the carer can verify measurements.
Example
A Grey-headed Flying Fox pup with a forearm length of 120 mm would be classified as a 2–3 month juvenile with:
- Expected weight ~340 g
- ~54 mL per day total
- 4 feeds per day of ~13.6 mL
Macropod Joey Feed Calculator
Produces a Wombaroo stage recommendation and feed plan for macropod joeys based on age, weight, or both.
Inputs
| Field | Notes |
|---|---|
| Species | Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Red-necked Wallaby, Swamp Wallaby, Common Wallaroo |
| Weight (g) | Most accurate input — strongly recommended |
| Age (days) | Optional — used to cross-check weight or to estimate weight if not provided |
Outputs
| Output | Description |
|---|---|
| Recommended Wombaroo stage | Impact, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, or >0.8 |
| Stage label | Full product name (e.g., "Wombaroo Roo Milk Replacer <0.6") |
| Total daily feed | ~10–20% of body weight in milk per 24 hours |
| Feeds per day | 6 (pinkie) tapering to 3 (out-of-pouch) |
| Per-feed mL | Volume per individual feed |
| Stage guidance | Husbandry advice for the developmental stage |
| Transition note | Raised when the joey is within 10% of the next stage threshold |
Stage Thresholds (Body Weight)
| Species | Enter 0.4 | Enter 0.6 | Enter 0.8 | Enter >0.8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Grey Kangaroo | 50 g | 1000 g | 2500 g | 4500 g |
| Red-necked Wallaby | 50 g | 500 g | 1500 g | 2800 g |
| Swamp Wallaby | 50 g | 500 g | 1400 g | 2600 g |
| Common Wallaroo | 50 g | 700 g | 1800 g | 3500 g |
Conflict Warnings
If age and weight imply different stages, the calculator prefers weight-based staging and raises a warning so the carer can verify growth trajectory.
Transition Guidance
When weight reaches 90% of the next stage threshold, the calculator recommends beginning a 3–5 day blended transition onto the next formula.
Example
A 1500 g Red-necked Wallaby is classified as stage 0.6 with:
- ~270 mL per day (18% of body weight)
- 5 feeds per day of ~54 mL
- Transition note raised at ~1350 g
Mobile Support
Both calculators are responsive. On phones, inputs stack vertically and result tiles wrap into a single column so carers can use the tool in the field.
Data Sources
Stage thresholds, daily-intake percentages, and feed frequencies are drawn from the following publicly-available guides:
- Wombaroo feeding guides — formula stages and intake percentages
- WIRES flying-fox pup care notes
- Tolga Bat Hospital flying-fox orphan care guidelines
Feed Calculator values are guidelines aggregated from published carer resources. They are not a substitute for species-specific training or veterinary advice.