Session 12:

Avian and Snake

Nutrition

Feeding Pet Birds

Types of BirdsPsittacine Breeds Passerine Breeds

Natural seed eatersSeasonal migratory birds

ParakeetsBudgiesCockatooMacawParrotsLovebirds

CanariesWrensSwallowsWarblersBlackbirdsCrows

Digestive Physiology of Birds

Differences in beak shape and size reflect adaptations to dietary sources of food

Digestive Physiology of BirdsStomach divided into

distinct sections to compensate for lack of teeth and smaller amounts of saliva

Crop – used for wetting food and temporary storage

Mouth

Crop

Gizzard

Intestine

Ceca

Cloaca

Cloacal aperture

Esophagus

Proventriculus

Digestive Physiology of BirdsProventriculus (aka

“true stomach”) – where gastric acids and enzymes begin chemical digestion

Gizzard (aka “ventriculus”) – strong muscular organ used to grind feed into smaller particles

Mouth

Crop

Proventriculus

Gizzard

Intestine

Ceca

Cloaca

Cloacal aperture

Esophagus

Digestive Physiology of BirdsIntestine & Ceca – sites

of nutrient absorption. Cecum is very small (or non-existent in some) so high fiber diets are out!

Cloaca – where urinary and digestive tract reunite. Urinary and fecal matter are mixed & excreted together

Mouth

Crop

Proventriculus

Gizzard

Intestine

Ceca

Cloaca

Cloacal aperture

Esophagus

Digestive Transit TimeDefinition: Time from the ingestion of food to

the time when the undigested food is excreted.

Birds must have a constant supply of food. Some birds can be in a state of starvation within three days!

Digestive Transit Times by Species

Dairy Cattle: 24-72 hoursHumans: 18-24 hoursDogs and Cats: 12-18 hoursCaged Birds: <12 hoursBudgies & Finches: 3-6 hours

Of Special Note in Avian DigestionFaster metabolism

Must have “animal” vitamin D3, cholcalciferol

Require Proline and Glysine

Need increased amounts of sulfur amino acids

Extremely low urine volume; concentrated urine

Most do not utilize fiber

Avian Feeding ManagementBirds tend to pick out certain seeds in mixes; therefore don’t eat balanced diet

Should leave entire amount of food there until bird has eaten it all

Grass seeds (corn, oats, barley, etc) are too low in calcium; Sunflower, safflower seeds are too high in fat.

Best to feed a complete commercial feeding mix or pellets

Essential Nutrients & Ingredients in Avian DietsGrit:

made from ground minerals and sand; key in helping bird grind up foodstuffs; stays in the gizzard

Who needs grit?Birds that ingest whole seeds – helps with shellsBirds that remove seeds don’t really need grit

How to feed grit: 1/8 to ½ teaspoon every 2 years. Over

ingestion of grit causes intestinal impaction

Essential Nutrients & Ingredients in Avian DietsVitamin A:

Promotes skin and mucous membrane health Feed high Vit A foods: carrot tops, broccoli, sweet

potatoes

Vitamin D (Cholcalciferol) Important in bone development Feed high calcium foods – almonds, cereals, cheese,

yogurt, oyster shells

What Budgies EatProne to renal disease if fed 100% pelleted diet long term

Feed percentage of pellets, millet, sprouted seeds

Safe “human” foods: cooked pasta, brown rice, legumes, veggies, fruit, bread

Source: Oklahoma State University

What Cockatiels EatPelletsCereal & grain sources:

Cheerios, Chex, Total Dry or cooked pasta, corn, oatmeal Popcorn, crackers

Meaty, dark green, orange & yellow veggies

High Vit A content: beets, broccoli, carrots. NO lettuce, green peppers, zucchini, spinach!

Protein sources: legumes, tofu, small pieces of cooked lean meat

What Macaws Eat(Blue & Gold)½ cup pellets with ½ cup fresh

fruits and veggies (wash well!)

Seeds can be offered as treats (sunflower)

Protein sources: cooked sweet potato, yogurt

Fresh water at all times

What Parrots EatCommercial pellets for 60-80% of diet; Seeds less than 12% of diet

Table food: Mostly leafy green veggies, tomato, beets, peas,

carrots Unsweetened cereal; bread Small amounts of protein: cooked eggs, boiled

chicken, well done chicken bones

Limit seeds; leave shells on for parrot’s activity

What Canaries Eat“Black and White” seed mix: 70% canary seed & 30% seeds from the rape seed plant; can use canary pellets

Very delicate, will dehydrate in short time; fresh water always!

Mineral grit and cuttlebone should be added

Sunflower seeds as a treat. Soak them overnight to help bird break them down

Source: University of Maryland

Reptiles

Nutrition of Boas and PythonsGeneral Nutrition

Snakes consume whole prey, which makes a balanced diet easy

Balanced Diet Pet snakes usually fed “pinkies” In the wild, snakes eat mammals

birds, other reptiles, fish, wormsamphibians and bugs

Nutrition of Boas and PythonsGraduate from pinkies to mice to rats to some rabbits

Try not to feed the snake food that is bigger than its midsection

Don’t handle snake after it’s eaten – it may regurgitate

Careful when snake is shedding – it can be aggressive

Nutrition of Boas and PythonsNever feed live prey – can result in

bite wounds

Teaching a snake to eat dead rodents:1. Jiggle it by the tail and a hungry

snake will eat

2. Don’t use your fingers to dangle the prey – snakebites hurt

Nutrition of Boas and PythonsFeeding Frequency:

Juveniles: feed appropriately sized prey every 6-7 days

Adults: Feed every 7-14 days

Keep log of eating and defecation to monitor snake’s needs and potential illnesses

Nutrition of Boas and PythonsBall Pythons

Shy feeders who do best with a hide box for shelter

If reluctant to eat, try feeding at night since they’re nocturnal

Imported Ball Pythons may not recognize classic white mouse as prey, so use brown mouse, gerbil or hamster

Nutrition of Boas and PythonsWater

Fresh water available at all timesProvide a bowl or tub for them to submerge

themselves in for soaking

Temperature is important80-95°F degrees for ball pythons