Do I have enough full spectrum light

[Sally]

I am pretty lazy, so I hardboil and cool the eggs, then I pop them in the food processor shell and all, along with all the dry ingredients I am adding, give it a few pulses, and I am done. Put it up in freezer containers, and I'm set for a while (I usually do 3 dozen eggs at a time but I have a lot of birds.

[MiaCarter]

Sally -- I've done this too. It works nicely!
I need to get a new blade for mine.

Wowee on the 3 dozen eggs! I do 6 at a time and it lasts 7-10 days! LOL

What do you add for dry ingredients?? Everyone seems to have their own magical egg food recipe!

[Sally]

I am using a variation of Roy Beckham's egg food recipe, which is here: http://www.efinch.com/eggfood.htm.

I have a friend who has been using Roy's recipe, and she has show quality Zebras. Another friend has great birds, and she uses a variation of his recipe, except she adds quite a few other ingredients to hers. I haven't been using it long enough to have worked out my own variation.

What I used to do was pulse 12 eggs in the food processor, 6 at a time. Then I would add 1 T. cod liver oil and 1 T. wheat germ oil, working those in with a fork. Then I would add Volkman's dry egg food, Hagen's nestling food, Hagen's egg granules (about 2/3 cup each). This makes a very dry egg food, much more dry than most would like, but my birds liked it. Since it is so dry, it can stay out all day without spoiling.

My friend is the one who told me I was working too hard, she puts the eggs in the food processor, adds all dry ingredients, and pulses till crumbly--all in one step. Then she freezes it.

[Prism]

How often do you all think they should have egg w/ shell to get enough vitamin D? I give it to mine daily during breeding season. They are not breeding now though so I have cut back to giving them egg w/ shell once a week and Morning Bird Calcium Plus once a week in their drinking water. They always flock to the dish enthusiastically on egg day. They drink normally on treated water day. They have cuttle bone all the time and a full spectrum light all the time. The lighting is equivalent to what is comfortable for us humans - 2 bulbs for the area they are in. I tried three but they looked like their eyes were squinting. I have no idea if they are effective at this point. They were replaced just before breeding season in September so I doubt it. Think this is enough? Any thing I'd notice if they weren't getting enough considering none are laying eggs this time of year?

[debbie276]

When not breeding I offer egg 2 to 3 times a week. They always have eggshell available along with oyster shells in their mineral mix. I've never given a calcium supplement in the water so can't help you there.
If they are flocking to the dish on egg day I think I would offer it more often thinking they are looking for something they need. There are many other things in eggs then just a good source of Vitamin D.
Overall what your doing seems fine, if you notice a problem then you can adjust accordingly.

good luck

[cindy]

AviTech makes a powder called Cal-D-Solve that contains calcium and Vitamin D3. D3 and calcium work hand in hand. The powder can be mixed directly in to soft veggie mixes and egg food. I do not use a liquid calcium in the water. Also the AviVita Gold contains calcium and D3, it is used 3 x's a week in soft foods.

[MiaCarter]

Prism -- I might give egg a bit more often.

I actually give egg daily year-round. My guys love it and I've not had any chronic egg laying issues or other problems with any in my current flock.

I'd also go a bit more often with the Calcium Plus - perhaps 3 days a week? (But I recommend putting it over food. That's much more economical.)