Investigation of Changes in Exotic Bird Serum Vitamin D Levels Between Indoor and Outdoor Housing

Authors

Alexander J. Marley, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Thomas Burkey

Committee Members

Lisa Karr, Cayla Iske

Date of this Version

12-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Citation

Presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science

Major: Animal Science

Under the supervision of Professor Thomas Burkey

Lincoln, Nebraska, December 2025

Comments

Copyright 2025, Alexander J. Marley. Used by permission

Abstract

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is directly related to sunlight and is involved in multiple physiological processes including calcium metabolism, feather quality, and chick development. Most vertebrate species are capable of both absorption of exogenous vitamin D and internal synthesis of vitamin D, with vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), being more accessible and bioactive in bird species. In exotic bird species, dietary requirements for vitamin D3 are largely unknown, and the ability to maintain adequate serum concentrations of vitamin D3 metabolites without direct sunlight exposure also requires evaluation. Concerns arise in situations where individuals may be housed indoors for extended periods of time without outside access. This is a common husbandry practice in certain parts of the world for between one and three months due to seasonal weather changes and animal welfare temperature guidelines. During this period, birds may be susceptible to vitamin D deficiency and related health concerns. Similar situations where birds must be housed indoors, like medical concerns are also causes for concern. To evaluate the validity of this concern, species from families Psittacidae, Numididae, and Threskiornithidae were evaluated for changes in serum vitamin D3 and calcium concentrations when housed indoors between November and February. It was found that neither vitamin D3 nor calcium concentrations changed significantly for the species in families Psittacidae and Threskiornithidae, but vitamin D3 increased for the individuals in family Numididae. Based on these results, current husbandry practices are suitable for maintaining serum vitamin D3 concentrations for a three-month period without outside access.

Advisor: Thomas Burkey