Light is for Babies too: Managing the UV-B exposure on hand-reared birds

GONZÁLEZ, P.M.; GATTINONI, V; SUARES, A

Animal Keepers Forum

American Association of Zoo Keepers.

Lugar: Topeka; Año: 2017

0164-9531

The primary action of Vitamin - D3 (cholecalciferol) is to promote gut absorption of calcium by stimulating formation of calcium-binding protein within the intestinal epithelial cells. Vitamin D-3 is formed in the skin when a cholesterol precursor, is exposed to ultraviolet light, particularly to UVB radiation. Calcium plays a central role in a wide range of essential functions like normal neuromuscular function, cardiac contraction, blood clotting, membrane permeability and activation of enzymes as well as for serving as the structural foundation of the skeleton (Wissman, 2006). A long-term dietary deficiency of calcium or of a negative dietary calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca: P) ratio generally leads to metabolic bone disease (MBD) (Zotti, 2004).Giving animals access to direct, unfiltered, and unobstructed sunlight with accessible shade and water is the best way to ensure the animal is receiving the UVB exposure necessary to produce vitamin D3 (Schmitdt, 2010). Unfortunately, sunlight received through glass will contain little, if any, UVB radiation because UVB rays are absorbed by glass and most acrylics (Ullrey and Bernard, 1999). Exposing animals to direct sunlight is not always possible, especially when working with neonates. At our facility we don?t have the elements to measure UV radiation, or Vitamin D conversion so we have developed our UV-B exposure practices for hand-reared birds based on years of experience and chicks reared. Here we report our practices with several species to provide neonates exposure to UVB radiation while they are being hand-reared.