Pregnant or lactating female diet
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The diets described below are suggested for a heavily pregnant (Table 1), or a lactating female (Table 2) okapi weighing 350 kg and 300 kg respectively. As the energetic expenses of late pregnancy and lactation are so high, the required ME (Metabolisable Energy) in kJ (kilojoules) requirements in these examples have been calculated as being x 3.5, and x 4 BMR respectively.
To calculate the ME requirements for the pregnant or lactating okapi in your care, firstly you need to know the weights of the animals in your care. Then, replace 'W' in the equation given below (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 3.5 for heavily pregnant and by 4 for lactating okapi to give the FMR (Field Metabolic Rate) and ME in kJ.
The diet below provides, in keeping with the Okapi SPP Feeding Guidelines:
Table 1. A suggested diet for a female okapi in the latter stages of pregnancy, weighing 350kg
To calculate the ME requirements for the pregnant or lactating okapi in your care, firstly you need to know the weights of the animals in your care. Then, replace 'W' in the equation given below (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 3.5 for heavily pregnant and by 4 for lactating okapi to give the FMR (Field Metabolic Rate) and ME in kJ.
The diet below provides, in keeping with the Okapi SPP Feeding Guidelines:
- 27% pelleted feed
- 73% browse and lucerne hay 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 a heavily pregnant okapi this amount has suggested to be even higher than 2-2.4 % in order to be adequate (Crissey et al. 2001). Therefore, this equates at least 8.4 kg of DM for the 350 kg pregnant okapi, and 7.2 kg for the 300 kg lactating okapi.
Table 1. A suggested diet for a female okapi in the latter stages of pregnancy, weighing 350kg
Table 2. Suggested diet for a lactating female okapi weighing 300kg