Raptor Boost vs. Vita-Hawk

[morganf]

I was just curious as to which supplement I wanted to feed, so I set out to do some research:

Raptor Boost (by Pro-vital):
This is a Vitamin, Chelated Minerals, Electrolytes, Probiotics, a product that has been specifically designed for the trained Raptor. All of these ingredients have been scientifically proven to work, so there is no guess work on your part. You can make sure that your bird is going to perform at its best, so you can enjoy your sport better. Raptor Boost has been created for the performance raptor that needs to be in superb athletic condition and optimal health. In the creation of Raptor Boost our company took all of those known ingredients which allow for a perfect athletic build up and found the purest and highest quality form to include in our formula. This product is to be used as a topping on the food. The following is a look at our Raptor Boost formula: Vitamins at their adequate proportions to produce athletic results. High concentrations of Vitamin E to help in the immune and anti-inflammatory response. High concentrations of Vitamin C to maintain a healthy immune, circulatory system, joint integrity and health. High concentration of Vitamin B12 for adequate production of red blood cells, muscular and tissue, development and health. High concentration of Vitamin B1 for muscular tendon and ligament health. Manganese Glycinate, chelated mineral involved in muscular and tendon health. Chromium Yeast to maintain alertness and vigor. Iron Citrate and Copper Glycinate for a healthy production of red blood cells and components. Lycine/ Methionine for healthy feather development and strength. An array of Probiotics (micro-encapsulated live beneficial bacteria), and live yeast to boost immune system and produce digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes to enhance digestion, improving body conformation, physiology and strength, allowing the raptor to fly at a higher weight with more stamina and vigor. Glucosamine Sulfate and Chondroitin Sulfate for healthy joints and tendon health. A high energy easy accessible source of carbohydrate specially for all accipiters. MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) for healthy joints and natural anti-inflammatory. Hyaluronic Acid promotes healthy joints and integrity. SAMe which promotes healthy joints, a potent antioxidant liver detoxifier and cell regenerator. L-Carnitine which acts as a muscular anti-fatigue by transferring fat into muscular cells for energy used. It will also maintain lean birds. Pro-Vitals Bio-Tag which assist in maintaining an E. Coli and Salmonella free bird, acting like a magnet, attracting and binding these pathogens and eliminating them through their waste. This product also contains a natural plant extract approved to be used in animal feed, known for its anti-inflamatory effects, and elimination of fecal odors. This product contains amino acids (building blocks for protein). Fatty acids are present in perfect proportions to boost immune system, help the development of feather folicles, and mantain a healthy skin. Pro-vital is a unique complete supplement. Dose: Sprinkle 1/8 of a tsp per 100 grams of body weight per day. (1/8 of a tsp per 3.5 oz of body weight per day). Use daily, amount can be increase or decrease not more than 30%. Use higher dosage the first 30 days for a loading period, can then be decrese if desired. Can be fed all year. Start eyas after molt.( PROVITAL BREEDER PLUS for growth) Use for: Flying, Rehab, Molting, Maitenance. Can be used all year. Role of Probiotics in Animal Nutrition Probiotics are live cultures of microorganisms including species of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, yeasts etc, that beneficially affect the host upon ingestion by improving the balance of the intestinal microflora. The gastrointestinal tract is a complex ecosystem in which a delicate balance exists between the intestinal microflora and the host. The microflora is principally comprised of Facultative anaerobes (Lactobacillus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and Bacillus) and obligate anaerobes (Bifidobacterium, Clostridium, Eubacterium, Fusobacterium, Bacteroides). The intestinal microflora primarily acts as a barrier of intestinal mucosa thereby preventing the colonization of pathogenic microorganisms and entry of allergens. They are also known to produce certain antibiotic like substances which help control the pathogenic microorganisms. Intestinal microflora also helps maturation of the immune system, development of normal intestinal morphology and in immunologically balanced inflammatory response. Some of the microflora are also known to contribute to the body's requirements of certain vitamins, biotin, pantothenic acid and Vitamin B12. The balance of microbial flora may get disturbed due to use of antibiotics or chemotherapeutics, ageing, disease, stress, etc. Probiotics are popular on a commercial scale in animal feeds as alone and along with yeasts, and fungal cultures producing fiber, protein, fats, and carbohydrates degrading enzymes. Research has shown that probiotic cultures performed significantly better in improving livestock performance when they were supplemented with specific nutrients. Also, no adverse or toxic reactions have so far been reported with the use of probiotics in animal feed.

Vita-Hawk (by DB Scientific):
General supplement for flying, breeding, molting, and raptors in rehab centers and zoo's.

Vitahawk Maintenance is a balanced vitamin supplement formulated to ensure appropriate vitamin levels in your raptors' daily diet.

Vitahawk also brings out the healthy yellow color of the feet and cere. In addition to the careful formulation to optimize your bird's nutritional requirements, great attention has been paid to the palatability (taste) of the product.

The dose range is .25 - 1.0 g/bird/day.




I cannot seem to find anything on what is contained IN vita-hawk, aside from the fact that it makes the cere and tarsi yellow, which I could get from feeding yolk. Does anyone know what is contained in vita-hawk? As of now I'm choosing Raptor Boost based on the fact that I know what is contained within it.

[raptrlvr]

I am not a fan of feeding supplements of any kind. The birds don't get it in the wild, so I don't give it to them in captivity. If you feed rabbits as a main course, the cere and feet usually turn a grayish blue color. I alternate rabbit with birds such as sparrows or cowbirds and the cere and feet are a bright yellow. Did you ask your sponsor what he recommends?

[profalconer]

he recommends using it, in fact he is using it himself with both of his birds.

[morganf]

Beat me to the punch... But yes as kyle says, our sponsor uses supplements.

[HawkingRage]

its just like people. if you eat the right diet you have no need for suppliments, thats all they are suppliments. feed the right thing the first time and you will be doing just fine. why waste the money. like my sponsor says THERE ARE MASTERCARD FALCONERS AND THERE ARE REAL FALCONERS. I chose the latter.

[raptrlvr]

If your sponsor is using it, then why are you asking others for advice. Ask him which one he recommends.

[Master Yarak]

The body utilizes certain vitamins and minerals at different rates. I have fed a whole carcass diet for years. That alone is probably enough. I choose to give a supplement intermittently and in small quantities. This ensures that those minerals and vitamins that may be used faster are replaced. No, they don't get vitamins in a container in the wild but she is not in the wild. She also does not get wormed or dusted for lice in the wild either.
Yarak

[morganf]

raptrlvr said:

If your sponsor is using it, then why are you asking others for advice. Ask him which one he recommends.

I'm not asking others for advice, just merely seeking different view points on the subject. As I've said before, I will look for different view points, express this to my sponsor, we weigh the options together, form our own opinions based on research, what he has done, and what others have done we then decide what we're going to do.

**EDIT**
Also, as of this weekend, I had never heard of Pro-vital's Raptor Boost... I thought it was kind of interesting what was said about it in the Hawk Chalk.

[Diablo]

Keep in mind that supplements can also cause excessive growth in beaks, which will require coping more often. I personnally stay away from supllements and feed a proper diet only.

[rt]

I feed my birds a varied diet of rats,mice,quail,rabbit, and squirrel that is all they need. I think that is better then anything you can buy from a store. I also dont bother my birds during the molt for one thing when a bird is growing feathers it is sore those new feathers are filled with blood and they have to push threw the skin if I was a bird I wouldnt want to be bothered during this time. Plus there feathers are not as tough as they are when the molt is finished and if you cause your bird to break one or bend one during the molt what have you gained. I simple feed my bird up but not to a point where it is obese this can effect raptors just like people plus its just more work to remove all that extra weight I am not saying keep them at hunting weight but dont feed them so much that they dont even eat half there meal its just wasting it. When I am ready to train I simple start cutting back on food untill they are more intent on me and start training. Birds like harris hawks, and redtails dont need to be trained all summer long just cut there weight back and go hunting. Sharpshins on the other hand will revert back to the wild if housed outdoors in a matter of weeks and all that imprint training will be lost they will retrain dont get me wrong but you will not have the same calm bird as before it will be edgy they need to be kept in the house 24/7. The molt isnt a big deal just keep some weight on them so they will molt out clean and make sure they have fresh water during the hot months.