Feed processing effects on digestibility, palatability, excreta fermentation products and blood parameters in blue‐fronted amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva)†

• DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13011
• Publication Date: 2018-11-03T03:58:47Z
• Authors: Ludmilla G. Di Santo; Lucas B. Braos; Aline E. Kawanami; Juliana P. Oliveira; Nathan R. N. Cruz; Fernanda S. Mendonça; Mayara C. Peixoto; Aulus C. Carciofi
• Keywords: Palatability; Completely randomized design

Abstract Captive parrots show a high incidence of obesity and other metabolic disorders due to the consumption unbalanced diets. Therefore, this study evaluated digestibility effects transitioning blue‐fronted amazons from fat diet (sunflower seeds) processed diets with three degrees starch gelatinization (SG). The same feed formulation was obtain pelletized (PEL) at 27.1% SG; low‐cooked extruded (EXT L ) 81.6% high‐cooked H 98.5% SG. Thirty adult were fed sunflower seeds for 90 days, then distributed in completely randomized design 10 repetitions per treatment, one prepared 160 days. Feed palatability, apparent digestibility, excreta concentrations volatile fatty acids, lactate ammonia, initial final radiographic examinations, blood cell counts glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) uric acid levels evaluated. data analysed by an analysis variance compared Tukey's test ( p < 0.05). Sunflower seed more digestible than feeds Diet processing interfered 0.001), being higher PEL EXT respectively. Transitioning balanced reduced serum cholesterol AST 0.05) increased red cell, haemoglobin, lymphocyte, monocyte leucocyte 0.01). Radiographs indicated decreased hourglass = 0.015) heart‐liver ratio after ingesting did not affect counts, biochemistry or examinations. In conclusion, preferred require extensive SG properly digest feed. Consuming improved birds’ metabolism health.