Providing Calcium & D3 is the most essential nutrient

[crimson]

Ever since Tundra laid that shell less egg a few months ago, it's been my personal mission to educate myself as to why this happened.

I like everyone else, provide calcium in many forms to my flock.
-cuttlebone,
-leafy greens
-vegetables
-liquid calcium
-liquid vitamins
-mineral block/wheel

I was stunned to learn that without Vitamin D3 they cannot absorb it.....here I'm thinking I was providing enough for my birds.

I was really upset and it disturbed me greatly that I did that to her and I guess the rest of my birds....not intentionally of course...but none the less I wanted to rectify this issue immediately.

I just came across this article this morning and I think it explains the basic knowledge of how important calcium MUST be paired with vitamin D3.

for those of us who breed, or have pet hens that lay eggs, there is a particular paragraph worth remembering about leafy greens:22:

In the two months I have added more calcium and D3 into their diet, not only have my hens NOT laid AS MANY EGGS, they lay quicker, and easier as well.

With the warmer season coming, nothing is better for them than the sun.
I also thought it was an interesting about the UV lighting, and lack of Vit.D3

I now have this on my list of favourites.

Avian Maintenance

 

[NiRD]

It's important to note that a UVB bulb is as important to avian nutrition as calcium. Most lights create UVA, but only special ones create UVB. Both are important for birds.

 

[Terry57]

Great article, Beth! Thank you for sharing, so much good info in there

 

[crimson]

It's important to note that a UVB bulb is as important to avian nutrition as calcium. Most lights create UVA, but only special ones create UVB. Both are important for birds.

this is what the article claims:

(*) Please note that this exposure needs to be direct, ultra violet does not go through glass and only early in the morning or late in the afternoon. A bird should never be without shade when the sun is high. Also, there are no UV lamps manufactured for birds even though many are labeled and sold as such. All UV lamps in the market were created for reptiles and can burn the delicate cornea of a bird’s eye. And, although full spectrum lights do have a certain amount of UV, it’s not enough for vitamin D3 production.

considering no UV lamps are manufactured for birds specifically, only reptiles, it can harm their eyes, and not produce enough Vit.D3, and they are pricey.....

what is the difference between UVB and UV lighting?

 

[NiRD]

UV comes in two different spectrums- UVA is the visible light spectrum. UVB is not visible to our eyes. It's a pet peeve of mine when people just say "UV", because all bulbs that give off visible light give off UVA. It's UVB that helps the body absorb calcium. You have no idea how many people have come to me with animals with severe metabolic bone disease who read on the internet to get a "UV" bulb and simply picked up an incandescent from Home Depot.

 

[NiRD]

Also, spiral bulbs are the ones you need to avoid. Florescent and compact fluorescent bulbs are safe for birds, just keep them as the distance advised on the packaging. I've had great luck for years with Zoo-Med's AvianSun, though i am disappointed they no longer manufacture them in linear.

 

[crimson]

interesting....too bad they are so pricey, every bird should have them that need more sun, like here in Ontario, spring summer and fall, but winter months are out.

thanks for educating me

 

[MonicaMc]

I think Zoo Med's avian lights are just rebranded reptilian lights.... and used incorrectly, can cause "sun burn" to a birds eyes. These lamps have a 'burn in' period where they are supposed to be further away from the cage than recommended.

 

[crimson]

you are correct Monica, I read that as well.