nutrition 101 | management
Feeding hippos and rhinos Photos © Quintus Strauss
Hay should be the largest proportion of their diet in boma- and zoo-like
captive systems. Storage and management of hay is vital. Mouldy or
dusty hay can cause colic and/or heaves. Poor quality hay may result in
poor digestion leading to possible impaction and colic in the rhinoceros.
The use of good quality hay will also lead to fewer cases of fungal
pneumonia and other related disorders.
Grazers should be fed good quality grass hays as a roughage source.
However, if the grass hay is low in crude protein, it is advisable to add
10% to 20% legume hay (lucerne) to the diet. This will ensure the
animals get the correct amount of protein. Ideally all hay needstobe
analysed by a laboratory for macronutrients to assess what theanimals
are eating. This will help in deciding how much legume hay tomixinto
the ration.
Exclusive use of lucerne and small grain hay is discouraged,
as it may lead to mineral imbalances, colic and diarrhoea.
When possible, freshly-cut grass can be added to the ration.
Ensure the length of the cut grass is not too short, as it
could result in constipation of the hindgut in rhino. This has
been seen in horses.
Pellets and salt mineral licks
Pellets designed specifically for the rhinos will supply
them with the necessary protein, energy, minerals
and vitamins that the dry natural grazing or roughage
supplied to them can’t supply.
Salt mineral licks containing calcium, phosphorous,
magnesium, copper, manganese, zinc, selenium and
vitamin A should be available all year round, but are critical
in the summer periods, due to the available phosphorous
in natural grazing being low. The use of salt blocks alone
is not advised. >>