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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 - Practices
Whole Plant Food Items
The practices outlined in this section relate to methods of food presentation that do not require the use of special materials or devices. Scatter feeds, use of specific locations, and methods of ensuring that specific animals receive required medications and dietary supplements are dealt with.
Whole Plant Food Items |
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| Method | Lettuce, carrot, apple, pear, etc., halved melon, cabbage. Standard zoo practice is to chop up fruit and vegetables prior to feeding, though this is not really necessary for most animals. | |
| Species | Primates, Parrots, Cassowary, Capybara, most Hoof-Stock. | |
| Purpose | Provide food as it would occur in the wild, requiring the animal to cope with outer coatings and learn which bits are good to eat. | |
| Pro | Saves huge amount of food preparation time, and keeps animals occupied for longer periods dealing with ‘naturally wrapped’ foods. | |
| Con | -- | |
| Improvements | -- | |
| Comments | Some zoo animals will not eat whole fruits with waxy coatings unless the peel has been partially removed. | |
| Frequency of Use | Daily (not every food item). | |
| Ratings | Usefulness | 10/10/10 |
| Convenience | 10/10/10 | |
| Value For Money | 10/10/10 | |
| Range of Users | 7/10/8 | |
| Contributed By | Primate Section / Bird Section / Hoof-Stock Section | |