(Nestor notabilis) Husbandry Manual - Kea Conservation Trust

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4.6.5 Seasonal/breeding changes in feeding requirements
It is recommended that during the peak breeding season (June - November) the
frequency and amount of food (and particularly food high in calcium) offered to
breeding pairs is increased.
Food consumption by the female is likely to decline significantly during the week
preceding egg laying, with a sudden resurgence of appetite observed once the
female has laid an egg (Pullar, 1996).
4.6.6 Food Hygiene
Care must be taken particularly in warmer climates that food does not spoil. All
fresh food (greens, fruit, and protein products) must be refrigerated prior to use
(4° C). All grains and cereals must be stored in dr y conditions in separate storage
bins which do not allow the introduction of pest species or build up of pathogens
or fungus.
All food preparation areas must be maintained to high levels of hygiene (refer
section 4.5.1) with utensils cleaned and stored appropriately.
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Minimum Standard 4.6 – Feeding Standards
(refer Internal Audit Document in Appendix 1).
4.6.2 Toxic foods
Novel foods must be checked to ensure they are not toxic to kea. Foods that must
not be fed to kea include*:
• Avocado
• Chocolate
• Onions
• Mushrooms
• Caffeine
• Dried Beans
• Rhubarb leaves
• Brassica’s
*This is not a complete list
All browse material must be checked to ensure no toxic plant species are present.
Toxic plant species which must not be fed to kea include*:
• Onion Weed – Asphodelus fistulosis
• Black Nightshade- Solanum nigrum
• Bittersweet Nightshade – Solanum dulcamara L
• Jerusalem Cherry – Solanum pseudocapsicum
• Karaka – Corynocarpus laevigatus
• Other Solanum species including potato
4.6.3 Diets and supplements
Quantity and types of food should be of an amount to allow for a complete and
balanced diet and must include the following on a daily basis:
Kea Conservation Trust Final 25/11/2010