The Influence of Livestock Feed Size on Feed Consumption by Starlings (Sturnus Vulgaris)

摘要

Ground meal and 4 sizes of pelleted feeds (3/16, ¼, 3/8 and ½ inch diameters) were offered to captive Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris, Linnaeus) to determine the minimum feed size they were unable to consume in significant amounts. The ground meal, 3/8 and ½ inch diameter pellets substantially decreased feed consumption compared with 3/16 and ¼ inch diameter pellets. Additionally, ½ inch pellets were consumed substantially less than ground meal or 3/8 inch pellets. Supplemental feed was require to prevent mortality among Starlings offered only ½ inch pellets.Two pellet sizes, the 3/16 inch pellet which was readily consumed by Starlings and the 3/8 inch pellet which was less preferred by the birds, were selected for tests with free ranging Starlings. Field tests comparing consumption of these 2 pellet sizes were conducted in southcentral Kentucky during January and February 1982. Starlings consumed significantly (Pu3c0.01) lesser amounts of 3/8 inch pellets than 3/16 inch pellets during this test.It appears that feeding both ground meal and 3/8 inch diameter pelleted feeds to livestock is effective in reducing livestock feed losses to depredating Starling, and feeding larger-sized feeds such as ½ inch diameter pellets may further reduce losses.