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Environmental Husbandry Manual Click here for CONTENTS Page No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior written permission of the author - For contact details see about the author |
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Individual Methods for Feeding
Methods - Device
Equi-Ball
The feeding methods outlined in this section require prior preparation in terms of making devices for use by the animals, including items that must be opened or manipulated to obtain food, frames to hold food items, and containers that randomly release food such as insects.
Equi-Ball |
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| Method | Eighteen inch diameter puzzle ball. Originally designed as an enrichment device for pigs (Young et al 1994). The ball or barrel is filled with seeds, nuts, etc., which fall out randomly as the device is moved around by the animal. | |
| Species | Peccary, Babirusa, Tapir, Parrots. | |
| Purpose | Random-reward feeding device that requires the animal to move the feeder around until food drops out. | |
| Pro | The device can work for days before being completely emptied. Food balls of varying difficulty can be made to suit species ability. | |
| Con | Commercially available, but expensive. Does not work well in enclosures built on a slope, as it rolls to the bottom and stays there. | |
| Improvements | -- | |
| Comments | The babirusa enclosure is located on a slope, and the female ignores the device it once it has rolled down the hill. Devices of varying size can be made, from small balls for birds, medium sized ones for primates and hoof-stock, to large barrels for bears and rhinos. | |
| Frequency of Use | Once per Week. | |
| Ratings | Usefulness | 10/8 |
| Convenience | 7/9 | |
| Value For Money | 5/7 | |
| Range of Users | 4/4 | |
| Contributed By | Hoof-Stock Section / Bird Section | |