BIRDS THAT USE CARBOHYDRATE AS
THE MAJOR ENERGY SOURCE
Birds in this group get most of
their energy from dietary carbohydrate. This carbohydrate may occur
as large, complex, sugar molecules such as those found in seeds or
insect secretions, or as simple sugars like those in nectar and
fruit. These birds may be granivorous, nectivorous or omnivorous and
eat seeds, nectar, pollen, lerp, honeydew, fruit and insects. This
group includes parrots, lorikeets, honeyeaters, finches, pigeons,
doves, silvereyes and pardalotes.
GRANIVORE REARING MIX
A complete diet in powder form
that can be mixed with different amounts of water to produce a food
varying in consistency from a soft putty to a pourable slurry. The
prepared food may be fed through a syringe and tube, from a spoon or
as small pellets. The powder may also be mixed with mashed fruit or
egg and fed as a supplement to wild or captive birds.
LORIKEET & HONEYEATER
FOOD
A powder that forms a stable
suspension when mixed with water and is a balanced maintenance food
for lorikeets and honeyeaters. The food is made by adding 300g of
powder to 500ml of warm water, mixing well then making up to 1litre
with water. Prepared food may be stored frozen.
BIRDS THAT USE PROTEIN AS A
MAJOR ENERGY SOURCE
These birds get much of their
energy from dietary protein by converting the carbon skeletons of
amino acid metabolism into glucose (Gluconeogenesis). They
are usually carnivorous or insectivorous with a diet consisting
mainly of whole animals. This group includes raptors, sea birds,
waders, kingfishers, magpies, currawongs and flycatchers.
INSECTIVORE REARING MIX
A complete diet in powder form
that can be mixed with different amounts of water to produce a food
varying in consistency from a soft putty to a pourable slurry. The
prepared food may be fed through an oesophageal tube, from a spoon
or as small pellets. The powder may also be mixed with mashed hard
boiled egg, coarse ground minced meat or fish and fed as a
supplement to wild or captive birds.
It is inappropriate here to
discuss detailed management techniques associated with rearing birds
so the novice is directed to those veterinarians and organisations
that specialise in bird care.
