NUTRIENT CONTENT OF 5 SPECIES OF DOMESTIC-ANIMALS COMMONLY FED TO CAPTIVE RAPTORS

The objective of this work was to provide a basis for more informed ev aluation of diet options with respect to the nutritional needs of capt ive raptors. We compared nutritional content of five domesticated spec ies that are most commonly fed to captive raptors; quail (Coturnix cot urnix japonica), chickens (Gallus domesticus), rats (Rattus norvegicus ), mice (Mus musculus) and guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). We measured proximate composition (moisture, lipid, protein, ash), vitamin A, vita min E, copper, iron, zinc, magnesium, manganese, calcium and potassium . Significant species differences were found in lipid and in vitamins A and E, and differences approached significance in iron and manganese concentrations. Differences in nutrient content between species did n ot correspond to differences in nutrient levels of diets consumed by p rey All species contained adequate amounts of protein, lipid, vitamin A, calcium, magnesium and zinc. However, whole domesticated prey were potentially inadequate sources of vitamin E, copper, iron and manganes e.