Conures and vitamin drops

clark_conure

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Jul 14, 2017
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A crossover Quaker Scuti (F), A Sun conure named AC, A Cinnamon Green Cheek conure Kent, and 6 budgies, Scuti Jr. (f), yellow (m), clark Jr. (m), Dot (f), Zebra(f), Machine (m).
I did a filtered search on the conure forum, "vitamin drops" within the last year etc. And nothing helpful came up.

I own a Cinnamon GCC and I was wondering if I should buy the drops to put in his water.

1) sometimes when it's a fresh bowl......he jumps in it and bathes in it, unless we recently had a shower together or he decided to bathe in the ice trays as I was filling them.

2) He's on a pellet diet with papaya treats and frequently gets apples, oranges, sometimes strawberries, whatever is in season and doesn't break the bank. And he avails himself to nibblets of whatever i'm eating because....obviously he deserves it more than me. Oh also orange juice and a few sips of milk about once a week (no lactose issues with him).

Should I even bother? or is there something he might be missing without the addition to his diet? or is it all kinda of snake oil crap because they never drink enough for it to......

:gcc:
 
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LordTriggs

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I've not heard too much on drops in water. One of the few things I recall hearing is it's not a good way of getting stuff into the system, but that was in reference to medicines not extra vitamins

Really is there anything Clark is currently lacking that you know of? If there is I would prefer to get him eating more of a food that contains that vitamin.

Maybe something you could ask the vet about for an opinion when you next get clark a check-up
 
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clark_conure

clark_conure

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Jul 14, 2017
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A crossover Quaker Scuti (F), A Sun conure named AC, A Cinnamon Green Cheek conure Kent, and 6 budgies, Scuti Jr. (f), yellow (m), clark Jr. (m), Dot (f), Zebra(f), Machine (m).
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pretty much good enough, I was mostly wondering if someone was like "ZOMFG you aren't buying vitamins, you should because here's why......"

I don't think he's lacking in anything his beak is nice and polished looking, he talks more "human" than "conure" usually, except the occasional contact call. He's opinionated, tons of energy...I was just looking for the IT factor or personal experience factor...my bird got sick because.....
 

plumsmum2005

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Fly free Plum, my gorgeous boy.
Hi, good you have Clarks well being in mind but please remember that too much is as bad as not enough. Pellets generally are a fail safe in terms of covering the areas that are not by veggies etc. This is one area that you could have a look at, try and see if you can improve on things? I wouldnt give any additional supplements without AV approval first. Sorry to bang on but very not happy re the milk, any chance of dropping this please? They wouldnt get it in the wild and it is not necessary and could be one of those things that you think is OK until it all goes horribly wrong. Better safe than sorry IMO.
 

Notdumasilook

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Blue Fronted Amazon, Cookie..Sun Conure..lil Booger (RIP) Have owned Parakeets, lovebirds, cockatiels, cockatoos, pocket parrot, and quakers.
My understanding of vitamins in water bowl... a bad idea. They get little benefit and you provide a nutrient rich water for bacteria to grow. A good healthy varied diet methinks is a better option.
 
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clark_conure

clark_conure

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A crossover Quaker Scuti (F), A Sun conure named AC, A Cinnamon Green Cheek conure Kent, and 6 budgies, Scuti Jr. (f), yellow (m), clark Jr. (m), Dot (f), Zebra(f), Machine (m).
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plumsmum2005 I started before I joined here, with the mil and he's had no bad effects, no change in stool no signs of discomfort and from what I read they need calcium for strong beaks....plus when you hear the little "under the breath" joy chirps when he gets a few sips...my heart melts. And it's no more than say 1/32th to 1/16th of a cap full. I read through a lot of the old forums and I can not find anything against it that isn't combated with someone that also is for it...or they are like well milk is bad, but I give my bird cheese sticks.
The minute i see a sign of discomfort or change, I'll stop, but for now I only detect positive benefits.

Notasdumbasilook thanks I tend to agree Like I stated above I was just seeing if anyone out there swears by them and for what reasoning and if I WAS missing out on something.
 

plumsmum2005

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Ok not willing to argue BUT have you at least run it past your AV for his/her input?
 
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clark_conure

clark_conure

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A crossover Quaker Scuti (F), A Sun conure named AC, A Cinnamon Green Cheek conure Kent, and 6 budgies, Scuti Jr. (f), yellow (m), clark Jr. (m), Dot (f), Zebra(f), Machine (m).
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I haven't brought it up but I will, next checkup.

I promise.
 

Tami2

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Aug 18, 2017
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Levi - 6 yr old CAG

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Hi Clark_conure,

I asked my Vet about Vitamin supplements a while back. Her default response was not necessary as Levi eats pellets well. Than I asked about
Nekton-S Multi-Vitamin and she said that was fine. She told me not to add it to his water, but his wet food. Only b/c she felt he wouldn’t get it all in the water.
 
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clark_conure

clark_conure

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A crossover Quaker Scuti (F), A Sun conure named AC, A Cinnamon Green Cheek conure Kent, and 6 budgies, Scuti Jr. (f), yellow (m), clark Jr. (m), Dot (f), Zebra(f), Machine (m).
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I figured the same thing that's why I mentioned above he'd swim in it as much as drink it. Birds don't need a lot of water so it "on a whole" did seem like a waste, but every time I go to get food or treats or toys and I always wonder...should I just break down and buy this little bottle of liquid too?
 

Tami2

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Levi - 6 yr old CAG

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I figured the same thing that's why I mentioned above he'd swim in it as much as drink it. Birds don't need a lot of water so it "on a whole" did seem like a waste, but every time I go to get food or treats or toys and I always wonder...should I just break down and buy this little bottle of liquid too?

I usually give it to him every other day, not to be overkill. However, I did give it to him everyday during his 1st major molt that he had recently.
I’ve read that boosting up their nutrition is important to help w/ the stress of molting.
 

Scott

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I would definitely enlist advice from Clark's CAV before using any supplements. Tinkering with parrot physiology may not show adverse reaction for a long while!
 
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clark_conure

clark_conure

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Jul 14, 2017
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A crossover Quaker Scuti (F), A Sun conure named AC, A Cinnamon Green Cheek conure Kent, and 6 budgies, Scuti Jr. (f), yellow (m), clark Jr. (m), Dot (f), Zebra(f), Machine (m).
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I don't even think I'll worry about it, i mean I'll probably remember to ask since I'm paying the CAV but I'm not loosing sleep over it, I did refer to it as possibly snake oil in the first post.
 

SailBoat

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I'm late in on this and you have gotten excellent advise from all above.

I'm only chiming in based on the Avain First Aid and Stabilization class I was part of last night. Our CAV was going though a slide presentation when she hit a slide on issues when Parrots are provided more minerals and vitamins than needed. The slide (photos) were heart-wrenching. That slide end with her saying, do not provide without first completing a full spectrum blood test!
 
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clark_conure

clark_conure

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Jul 14, 2017
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A crossover Quaker Scuti (F), A Sun conure named AC, A Cinnamon Green Cheek conure Kent, and 6 budgies, Scuti Jr. (f), yellow (m), clark Jr. (m), Dot (f), Zebra(f), Machine (m).
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yep I agree we need say vitamins but if I actually like went bear hunting I could get too much vitamin A from his liver, (as if i'd even eat that). and it would be toxic....


I'm just going to wait for now. I have no health concerns from clark. Either pet store birds are hardy...or I'm just a good pet to him.Or both.
 

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