Juvenile diet
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The table below displays a suggested diet for a 100 kg juvenile okapi. As the okapi in this example is a youngster, and therefore still growing and developing, it has a higher FMR relative to an adult. The required ME (Metabolisable Energy) in kJ (kilojoules) was calculated as 2 x BMR.
In order to calculate the ME requirements of juvenile okapi in your care, firstly you need to know the weight of the animal in your care. Then, replace 'W' in the following equation (the equation is commonly used to calculate BMR in mammals, from: Klieber 1947):
BMR = 70 x (W^0.75) x 4.184
Next, multiply the calculated BMR by 2 to give the FMR (Field Metabolic Rate) and ME in kJ.
The diet below provides, in keeping with the Okapi SSP Feeding Guidelines (found here):
Table 1. A suggested captive for a juvenile okapi weighing 100kg
In order to calculate the ME requirements of juvenile okapi in your care, firstly you need to know the weight of the animal in your care. Then, replace 'W' in the following equation (the equation is commonly used to calculate BMR in mammals, from: Klieber 1947):
BMR = 70 x (W^0.75) x 4.184
Next, multiply the calculated BMR by 2 to give the FMR (Field Metabolic Rate) and ME in kJ.
The diet below provides, in keeping with the Okapi SSP Feeding Guidelines (found here):
- 27% pelleted food
- 73% lucerne hay and browse combined
- Adequate DM (Dry Matter). Okapi should consume 1.8% of their body weight daily, and should be offered more than this (2-2.4%). For an okapi weighing 100kg, this equates to between 2 and 2.5kg of DM.
Table 1. A suggested captive for a juvenile okapi weighing 100kg