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González MS. Psittacine Neonatology and Pediatrics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 2024; 27:263-293. [PMID: 38135629 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvex.2023.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mikel Sabater González
- Veterinary Specialist, Manor Vets Edgbaston, 371, 373 Hagley Road, Birmingham B17 8DL, UK.
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Cornejo J, Dierenfeld ES, Renton K, Bailey CA, Stahala C, Cruz-Nieto J, Brightsmith DJ. Nutrition of free-living Neotropical psittacine nestlings and implications for hand-feeding formulas. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2022; 106:1174-1188. [PMID: 35789049 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Psittacidae is one of the most endangered families of birds in the world. Knowledge of their nutrition is important for understanding their survival and productivity in the wild, as well as for their adequate husbandry under human care. Hand-rearing is a common practice for psittacines, however research on their nutrition is limited. We analysed the predicted metabolisable energy, crude protein, crude fat, minerals and the essential amino acid profiles of the crop contents from free-living nestlings of scarlet macaws (Ara macao) and red-and-green macaws (Ara chloropterus) from southeastern Peru, Cuban Amazons (Amazona leucocephala bahamensis) from the Bahamas, lilac-crowned Amazons (Amazona finschi) from northwestern Mexico and thick-billed parrots (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha) from northern Mexico. The crop content of the different parrot species displayed remarkably similar nutritional profiles, considering their diversity in habitats, geographic ranges and food sources. The crude protein and crude fat concentrations in crop samples were particularly similar for the Ara and Amazona species, while the thick-billed parrot stood out for its higher crude fat and lower crude protein content. Wider variations were found among the concentrations of sodium (Na) and iron (Fe), proline and tryptophan. Compared with the requirements of 6-12 weeks leghorn chickens, all free-ranging parrot diets contained lower crude protein, calcium (Ca), potassium (P) and Na concentrations. The hand-feeding formulas contained lower crude fat, magnesium (Mg), arginine, valine and phenylalanine concentrations, as well as much higher levels of Ca and zinc (Zn), in comparison with parrot crop samples. Our data suggest that a single formulation could be used to hand-rear Ara and Amazona sp. of 3 weeks of age and older, while a different formulation would likely be more appropriated for Rhynchopsitta sp. Experimental studies should evaluate if increasing the concentration of crude fat, Mg, arginine, valine and phenylalanine enhances psittacine chick growth and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Cornejo
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | | | - Katherine Renton
- Estacion de Biologia Chamela, Instituto de Biologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, San Patricio-Melaque, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Christopher A Bailey
- Department of Poultry Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Caroline Stahala
- Department of Biology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Javier Cruz-Nieto
- Programa de Manejo Sostenible de Ecosistemas, Centro de Calidad Ambiental, Campus Monterrey, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Donald J Brightsmith
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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