What nutritional issue results if a Zebra Finch selectively eats high-fat seeds like niger seed?
Answer
Obesity and nutritional deficiencies
A common dietary hazard arises when finches become selective grazers, preferentially consuming the fattier components within their seed mix, such as niger seed or sunflower seeds if present. If a bird consistently chooses these high-fat options, it directly leads to obesity because the bird is consuming excess energy without adequate intake of necessary nutrients. Simultaneously, this selectivity causes nutritional deficiencies because crucial vitamins are often located in the smaller, less appealing seeds or, more importantly, in the fresh greens that must be supplemented to provide a full spectrum of required vitamins and minerals.
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