Evaluating foods

I was reevaluating food for all my birds. What I was looking for and cannot find is a daily recommendation for vitamins and minerals for specific breeds. Is there such a thing? Everything I've found said "feeding 65-85% of the diet in pellets will provide the appropriate levels". I find that infuriatingly vague and it lumps all pellets in together. I may be calling our AV if I can't find anything. But now I'm wondering if its information that is out there somewhere.

In case someone else isn’t interested this is what I found.

My vet did not give me any daily recommendations. He advised to feed either Zupreem, Harrison’s, Pretty Bird or Lafeber that they will provide what is needed at 80% of their feed.

I did find some information from the Merck Manual Veterinary Manual. It was titled “Nutrition in Psittacines by Joeke Nijboer, PhD, Nutritionist, Rotterdam Zoo. Here is what I found.
Protein: budgerigars/cockatiels 7-12%, African Grey 10-15%
Fat: 5-12% depending on general condition, at least 1% PUFA/linoleic acid
Vitamin A: 5,000-8,000 IU/kg food higher levels should be avoided.
Vitamin D: minimum oral for African Grey 500-1,000 IU/kg. Above 2,800 IU/kg is not recommended.

Unfortunately I didn’t find calcium which was actually what started my interest.

Congratulations! You have entered one of the most infuriatingly segments of Parrot Ownership.

What you will find is that the more you search the more confusing the information becomes. Add to this frustration is that near everything you will come across is based on a known serving, per Parrot, per day, which is a common method of feeding at Zoos and Sanctuaries.

You will also find that in the vast majority of studies and writings is that Pellets should or do make-up the vast majority, if not 100% of what is feed. So, unless this is the method of feed that defines what you are or will be feeding, you are left to complete extensive calculations each day as to what you are feeding and how close you can hit the targets.

Adding to all of this, as you have already found, the requirements change from species to species and time of year.

I completed a like study several years ago for Amazons and provided what I found and feed for your Amazons. My goal, was to provide a well rounded diet that was as near to what an Amazon would find in their Natural Range and add pellets to augment that base.

All of this and an every 'nine' month full blood screen that allows adjustments based on the findings. For healthy Parrots, I recommend a every 'fifteen' month blood testing. Over four to five years, the testing sees each season of the year and notes variation that may naturally exist.



Insert: See Amazon Forum, I Love Amazons - ... Thread and then the Segment of what to feed an Amazon or like wording.

I’m currently studying to take my certification exam for wildlife rehabilitation. I thought I would practice some of the calculations on my own Bird’s, only to find out there is not that much more concrete information for parrots than wild species. None of the brands recommended had much to offer for information. One Avian medicine text book had a little but it wasn’t even very helpful.

Taprock said:

I’m currently studying to take my certification exam for wildlife rehabilitation. I thought I would practice some of the calculations on my own Bird’s, only to find out there is not that much more concrete information for parrots than wild species. None of the brands recommended had much to offer for information. One Avian medicine text book had a little but it wasn’t even very helpful.

Click to expand...

And, for a very different reason: Congratulations on your choice of study!!!

Knowing you! You have already searched sites of those few Certified Wildlife Rehabilitation facilities! The two that I know have strong relationships with their local Zoos and especially the Zoo's Vet(s). Mid to smaller Zoo's have a relationship with a local Vet or two depending on the cross-section of animals and the Vets area of expertise. Track down their Vets, you are going to have to make those contacts anyways! Might as well begin that list now!

I guess you are coming to that point that I did! The answer is: Well, we kind of think its something like this or that! Leaves you with that not so comfortable feeling.

FYI: Goldfeast (spl) develops diets based on food sources common to that specific Parrot species region. Check their site. Have long used their South American Blends. They may have some guidelines since they are coming fairly close to covering all Parrot species, the last time I looked.