Evaluation of the consumption of two integral diets for psittacines in captivity in a wildlife rescue unit

Resumen

Objective: To evaluate the consumption of nutrients intake in a traditional and a
proposed diet for parrots in captivity.
Design / methodology / approach: The study took place at Pachuca de Soto,
Hidalgo, Mexico. Twelve parrots were assessed in captivity. The traditional diet
(TD) provided to the birds was evaluated and a proposed diet (PD) was the
alternative. The consumption and the amount of waste of each diet were recorded
for five weeks. PD formula contained fruits, vegetables, and seeds. Data were
analyzed with the Student's t-test at p< 0.5 significance.
Results: TD lacked homogeneity in the ingredients offered during the five weeks
evaluation. There were significant differences in the consumption between the two 2 evaluated diets. The individual bird consumption was 349 g for TD and 314 g for
PD. The TD was 41.87% fruits and 58.12% vegetables. The PD diet included
seeds supplements. From the second to the fifth week of the evaluation PD had
less waste.
Limitations of the study: The age, weight, sex and excreta collection from the
parrots were not registered due to restriction rules in the conservation area.
Findings / conclusions: The PD offered the requirements that parrots need. It is
necessary to train technical personnel on diet preparation. Feeding frequencies
and food diversity stimulated consumption and waste decreased, improving the
nutritional balance of the birds in captivity.