FINCHforum

Just wondering if anyone on here has ever used the calcium powder that is marketed for reptiles for their birds? It seems as each brand generally offers a formula with and a formula without vit D3 added.
ZooMed makes one (Repti Calcium) and so does Rep Cal.
Any thoughts are appreciated.

I think ZooMed also makes avian vitamins - is there a difference between the reptile supplements and the avian supplements in terms of ingredients?

ZooMed Repti Calcium with D3
Ingredients:
Precipitated Calcium Carbonate and Cholecalciferol (Source of Vitamin D3).
Guaranteed Analysis:
Moisture
1.0% max
Calcium
38.0% min
43.0% max
Vitamin D3
10,390 IU

ZooMed Avian Calcium
Ingredients: Precipitated Calcium Carbonate.
Guaranteed Analysis
Calcium 38.0% min 380,000 mg per kg
Calcium 43.0% max 430,000 mg per kg min
Moisture 1.0% max

Weird how the avian doesn't have added D3

I use T-Rex brand for my geckos
Calcium Plus
Ingredients:
Calcium carbonate, vitamin premix, hempseed meal, whey protein isolate (source of isolated protein), defatted wheat germ meal, brewers yeast, spirulina algae, honey powder, dicalcium phosphate, bee pollen, rosehip powder, haemotococcus algae, marigold extract, kelp meal, rosemary extract, yucca extract, natural mixed tocopherols (as a preservative), vitamin A acetate, vitamin D, dried aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, dried lactobaccilus fermentation product, dried bifidobaterium thermophium fermentation product, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product and dried bacillus subtilis fermentation product.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude protein (min.) 12%,
crude fat (min.) .75%,
crude fiber (max.) 3%,
moisture (max.) 8%,
ash (max.) 8%,
calcium (Ca) (min.) 16%, calcium (Ca) (max.) 18%,
vitamin A 400,000 iu/kg,
vitamin D3 (min.) 40,000 iu/kg.

@Tiffany - yes they do, but I can't find any near me. We have a local petstore that is well respected as a source of "exotic" pets and has an astonishing variety of reptiles and several species of birds. But their stock of supplies is generally not that much wider than that of chain petstores. They sell the reptile calcium, but nothing for birds besides cuttlebone.

@Debbie - thanks for posting those specs on the ingredients. It looks like the reptile version is identical except for the added D3, so it should be okay for birds too.

My adults do eat cuttlebone like champs, but my juvies barely touch it. I'm thinking of offering it in a finger dish or something so they can eat it as needed.

I have a human calcium supplement powder for my birds - it actually was sold to me by an avian vet (@ nelloyello - Dr Wade at broadway animal hospital) she said you can get it at most health stores, since there don't seem to be many good bird varieties. It's 'now' calcium carbonate powder. No vit D, only calcium.

Ria, thanks for the info! I will keep my eye out for it!

Does anyone know how much calcium your birds should be getting?? Surprised a vet says there are no good avian calcium supplements, what makes one better then the other? If it has no Vitamin D3 how are you supplementing that so the calcium is absorbed?

Morning Bird Calcium Plus lists:
Active Ingredients
Calcium Boroghuconate...33gL
Vitamin D3...25000i.u./L
Magnesium (MG++).....2g/L

Although a less expensive alternative would be nice

@Debbie - I have a full-spectrum light, with UVB, so they don't require added D3. I have no idea how much a single bird needs, and I sure it varies bird to bird, species to species, male to female, but I am a believer that a bird knows what sorts of things his body needs, so will eat calcium if it's needed and is available.

@Janine - yes that Morning Bird stuff is expensive! Do you know if there is a powdered form available? I don't like the idea of adding to their water for a couple reasons: 1 everyone in the cage gets it, even if they don't need it and 2 it seems like a lot would be wasted since they don't consume anywhere near their full dish of water every day. But a powdered form would be wonderful!

Nelissa,
I do not believe that any full spectrum light gives the birds the needed D3
JMO

Thanks for your opinion Debbie!
Plain full-spectrum lighting does nothing for Vitamin D issues. But for birds, as well as reptiles, providing a light source with UVB as well, enables birds to synthesize D3. From my research on it, with this type of lighting, dietary supplementation is only necessary for young birds and hens that are laying eggs. Egg shell is a good source of usable D3 for both birds and reptiles.
I've only been in the finch world for a few months, so I am basing my opinion on research and my experience with reptiles. As my experience with finches grows, I might alter my views based on what I actually see rather than what I read. For right now, I welcome the experiential knowledge of finchers who have been doing it much longer than myself!