So, once again i ask, how do you know these supplements provide the amounts needed in every specific bird, and how do you know you're not overdosing, or are you [nobody specific] just following the crowd because these things are "supposed" to be good for them?
I read the research and have relied on those that have had success with their birds that came before me. If I give them more than they need it will just be eliminated through the waste and I have done the best I can to make sure my bird has what it needs. If scientific studies show that we should do something else I would analyze and make a decision. Each should do as they think best for the bird. I have seen a lot of successful falconers that use supplements. I am sure there are many that do not use anything. Until I see better studies I am one of the users. JMHO
If you do a Google search for "toxic vitamin overdose in birds" you will see that to much of a good thing can be bad. It appear from the first few article there are addressing Vitamin D in parrots but it does go to show not all vitamins and minerals are excreated when given in excess.
You are right there are to many variables. However more studies have shown that animals and people do better as a whole with vitamins than without . I also have had my sponsor and others that swear by the additives and tell me their bird flys better with than without. If you see no difference in your bird and don't feel the need I would not use them. My birds seem to perform better with them and I believe in vitamins. I give my bird dogs, horses and other livestock vitamins, minerals and supplements because I have less disease, bigger offspring and better weight gains. I do not need a study for that as I have observed it for 40+ years. It is simply a personal choice. I do not know if there are any independent studies or not. It would be a good study for you young guys in still in school. ;D
Falcon Boy Apprentice Falconry Administrator
Ethics make the individual, not the other way around.
Thanks Falcon Boy, I do not see as well as I used to. Hope all is well ET.
You are right there are to many variables. However more studies have shown that animals and people do better as a whole with vitamins than without . I also have had my sponsor and others that swear by the additives and tell me their bird flys better with than without. If you see no difference in your bird and don't feel the need I would not use them. My birds seem to perform better with them and I believe in vitamins. I give my bird dogs, horses and other livestock vitamins, minerals and supplements because I have less disease, bigger offspring and better weight gains. I do not need a study for that as I have observed it for 40+ years. It is simply a personal choice. I do not know if there are any independent studies or not. It would be a good study for you young guys still in school.
A free-living bird has the opportunity to consume a good variety of foodstuffs in the wild in which essential trace minerals are found. Most of us feed what our bird takes during hunting... upland game and/or waterfowl. We don't usually serve insects, worms, snakes, frogs, etc. which free-living birds do eat frequently. We purchase pen-raised quail, day old cockrels, and mice from breeders that also have not been fed everything they'd normally eat when in a wild state. Most are raised on prepared pellets. Even though these are considered whole food, I can only deduce that they do not contain all the nutrition we think they do. Given this, I use supplements (Vitahawk for maintenance, and switch to Necton Bio in spring).
Some years ago, I read research on iodine and the thyroid's production of hormones which affect feather production and molting. The data concluded that naturally occurring iodine is particularly deficient in soil in the Great Lakes region (where I live), hence iodine is deficient in plant life, therefore in the wild herbivores. So, feeding my birds a diet of wild rabbits and squirrels doesn't necessarily mean that deficiencies can't and don't occur.
Just FYI: Signs of iodine deficiency**: 1) enlarged thyroid gland 2) immune deficiency - the birds easily develop infections, 3) depression and lethargy - the metabolic rate of the birds is decreased, 4) abnormalities of the skin and feathers, 5) reproductive problems - birds experience increased embryo mortality and decreased hatchability (particularly important regarding released peregrines).
Years ago, I visited a falcon breeder out west who'd studied nutrition in birds for years. He fed his feeder mice blocks of dried seaweed/kelp exclusively, and fed them to his birds. He recorded quick and excellent improvement in falcons suffering foot lesions and unexplained feather problems. He concluded through his experiments that seaweed/kelp cured bumblefoot in record time, and drastically improved feather quality. A major source for iodine is... kelp.
The caged-bird people have known about iodine deficiency for decades, and have added correct amounts to their prepared seeds and pellets. I look for and use supplements containing iodine - because of where I live.
**Note: Too much iodine given can cause the same signs and health problems. As MarkT wrote: "too much of a good thing can be bad".
I would not feed it every day. If the feet are turning white than egg yolk and/or Vitahawk will bring back the natural color. I have seen birds that feet were so yellow they looked unnatural. I don't feed rabbit intestines because of the tapeworms.