Interesting facts on raptors Someone wanting to keep raptors must - here in the Federal Republic of Germany - observe the legal provisions, such as e.g. falconer hunting license, animal keeping permission or animal enclosure permission. Lodging Raptors and falcons can - pursuant to the hunting law - be used for falconry hunting purposes. According to the Federal Ordinance for the Protection of Species, raptors may also be kept in the animal enclosure, e.g. for breeding purposes. Feed Most raptors are carnivores, as feed mainly freshly slaughtered or freshly defrosted day chicks, pigeons, quails, chickens and rats are used. Raptor diseases Raptors, too, will not always be spared from diseases. When a raptor refuses feed, is sitting around with half-closed eyes and fluffed up, then the animal is obviously ill. Such an animal should immediately be presented to a veterinarian. All deviating behaviors should be noticed, such as e.g. treating a foot with care, shortness of breath, hanging the wings, dim looking eyes, watery eyes. Also in case of reddish or greenish excrement discoloration, an illness might be the cause. In such a case, too, it is recommendable to visit a veterinarian. The excrement should have a white color with a black spot.