corvidaid. caring for corvids and other wildlife

Feeding

NB – Emails about feeding corvids are by far the most common we recieve, and therefore we have updated the whole feeding section in a bid to answer any questions and hopefully cut down on the number of emails we recieve regarding the subject!

We feed all our corvids the same basic diet although ravens will require more meat – eg rabbit, quail, day-old chicks etc. This diet works.

The bulk of the diet consists of soaked cat biscuits (we use Go-Cat as it soaks really well and doesn’t break up). Tinned cat meat can be used but it is messier and will make a bird’s droppings more smelly. We also feed poultry growers’ pellets – we used to use Orlux Remiline, but had trouble finding a reliable supplier. We found though, that growers’ pellets do just the same job, are a fraction of the price and are really easy to get hold of – a winner in all regards!

It’s best feeding the cat food in the morning and evening when it is cooler so they do not go off in the heat and the pellets can be left out in the bowl for the birds to eat ad-lib. A little Bogena insectivorous food and a tiny amount of dry mealworms can be mixed in with the pellets, but make sure the pellets are the main element in the mix.

Don’t be tempted to feed dog food, as it is not high enough in protein etc. Cat food is a perfect diet for corvids, high in protein and with all the correct nutrients. We even rear our babies on soaked cat biscuits and always end up with large healthy birds.

Our crows also enjoy a day-old chick each a day, and even the smaller corvids enjoy a few bits now and again. Crows and ravens also really enjoy mice, but these are expensive so are best given as a once in a while treat. The bones, fur and feathers allow the birds to cast pellets – a natural behaviour. Frozen day-old chicks, mice, quail etc can be bought from specialist pet suppliers and some pets shops now carry them.

Of course all corvids enjoy the odd treat and will readily accept, scrambled and whole raw egg (they will also eat the shell, a good source of calcium), cheese, mince meat, table scraps etc. Please ensure these are just treats as a diet consisting of mainly junk food or an unbalenced diet can cause serious problems in the long run.

Calcium and other dietery deficiencies

Corvids seem prone to calcium deficiency through their eating habits in the wild, most people think crows will eat anything, which is true. But what they do eat is not nessesarily good for them. Crows need plenty of calcium, they get this from eating bones etc.

Birds suffering from a calcium deficiency tend to have white feathers, especially on the wings and tail and in bad cases the bones can be affected, causing deformities especially in the legs and feet.

Crows with white feathers should be rescued as the abnormal feathers are weak and snap off easily. Birds which look different are also attacked by healthy birds, driven off and sometimes even killed. Birds with white featherers must not be released untill they have moulted and grown new healthy feathers. This can only happen if they are given a suitable diet whilst in captivity. It can take over a year for this process to happen as corvids only moult once a year.

Vitamin supplements

Please do not be tempted to offer any kind of supplement designed for birds if your corvid is recieving a balanced diet. All bird supplements contain D3, which is needed for calcium to be absorbed, however too much D3 can actually work the other way and can actually stop calcium being absorbed. D3 is found in cat food and other food stuffs. It’s even in sunlight – so it is all to easy for overdose to occur. Supplements are for when the diet is lacking, in captivity there is no excuse for this to happen so there is absolutely no need for their use.

LATEST CAWS

like tweets, only a little louder!