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• Protein
Protein deficiencies are common in finches, parrots and budgies. But not
common in canaries. Why, because the canary breeder has found the problem and
supplements the diet with additional protein.
The most complete protein is hard-boiled egg, boiled 12 minutes to maintain
the rich yellow color of the yolk. Other sources include shelled sunflower
seeds, soy protein and game bird starter, (not medicated). The game bird
starter has 30% protein.
The 6 components of Robert Black's bird diet are; game bird starter, hard-boiled
egg, shelled chopped sunflower seed, millet, crushed egg shells and Vionate,
a vitamin-mineral supplement.
Robert raises about 2000 birds and rarely has a problem once his birds are
established on this diet. He raises his birds outdoors in sometimes below
zero weather without problems. Robert mentioned too that his decision to use
the game bird starter was based on price and protein content. Most other bird
pellets contain 10-15% protein and cost many times more than the game bird
starter.
• Vitamin A
About 90% of parrots suffer from some sort of vitamin A deficiency. Good
sources of vitamin A include; hard-boiled egg & Vionate, powdered A &
D, and cod liver oil.
• Vitamin D3
The only form of vitamin D a bird can absorb is vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 allows
the bird to absorb calcium. Good sources include; hard-boiled egg, fish oils
such as cod liver oil and a powdered form of A & D by Nature’s Way.
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• Linoleic Acid
Good sources are; safflower oil and any of the oily seeds such as flax, rape
and sunflower.
• Calcium
Calcium is rarely deficient in foods, but is not always absorbed properly.
Phosphorus and calcium need to be in balance. Crushed ground egg shell
contains 90% calcium.
• Trace Minerals
- Zinc, male birds need zinc. Good sources of zinc are whole grains,
sunflower seed. Lack of zinc can cause infertility problems.
- Iodine, Gouldian and other colored finches need extra iodine. Supplemental
iodine can bring back lost head feathers.
- Manganese, good for nerves. Sources include whole grain seeds and Vionate
vitamin/mineral supplement. Lack of manganese in the chicks diet can cause
star gazing.
Robert mentioned several times that his goal was to find a healthy diet for
his birds that was priced in a range that he could afford with over 2000
birds to raise. He gave many cases where his six ingredient diet turned many
a deficient bird around. Robert is a big user of hard-boiled egg and since he
mixes it with the game bird starter, it remains dry and does not spoil unless
it becomes wet from a birds bath or rain. Robert feeds these six ingredients
separately and offers them free choice daily. He rarely has a sick or
deficient bird to deal with.
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