FINCHforum

The birds need vitamin D3 to absorbe calcium, and to produce vitamin D3 the birds need sun-lights(UV)...
If they are outdoor aviary then everything is OK.
But if the birds are in indoor then they need;
full-spectrum sun lamp
fish oil
cod-liver oil
fatty(oil type seeds) seeds:sunflower seeds,hempseed etc.

for calcium :
oil type seeds
greens:
spinach
dandelion(my favorite greens for birds)
broccoly
black cabbage
endive
chard
kale
parsley
celery
sesame and nuts

these are very important for the bird's egg-shell,for growth of chics(sun-lights),for indoor birds full-spectrum sun lamp,fish or cod-liver oil

batuhan

Haven't tried celery with my birds, will have to chop some up. What is black cabbage?

Are there any other sources of D3? I don't see myself finding cod liver oil..

You can get cod liver oil at Wallmart and walgreens

Batuhan, I like you no nonsense approach to diet
Good pointers. In this country folks go for the multiprocessed pelleted food that gaurantees total nutrition Then again in this country they think a good meal is McDonalds

Sally wrote:Haven't tried celery with my birds, will have to chop some up. What is black cabbage?

The black cabbage is fairly smiliar to Kale .
But kale is curly.
black cabbage's leaves are not not curly,it's leaves are plain/flat

batuhan

CandoAviary wrote:Batuhan, I like you no nonsense approach to diet
Good pointers. In this country folks go for the multiprocessed pelleted food that gaurantees total nutrition Then again in this country they think a good meal is McDonalds

I have/had been keeping various kinds of birds for 30 years.
I have never seen a dead bird in my cage except the hatchlings..
you say :in your country folks go for the multiprocessed PELLETED food that guarantees total nutrition
I am sorry but
I will say :please Do NOT send your birds for the multiprocessed pelleted food that guarantees total DEATH.
follow the nature please as possible as you can.....

batuhan

I agree

Domenic wrote:Are there any other sources of D3? I don't see myself finding cod liver oil..

Hi Domenic,

The best natural source of Vitamin D3 are animal proteins such as those found in egg yolk and meat meal. Whether you use a hardboiled egg or a commercial softfood that contains whole egg powder and/or meat meal, it is a very important part of your birds diet.

You should feed an eggfood of some kind on a daily basis during the breeding and molting season, and about twice a week during the resting season.

Hope that helps

Bill
http://www.FabulousFinch.com

Thanks Bill. I have been giving eggfood for a long time now, didn't know it contained D3.

Hi All,

What foods contain vitamin D ? (for birds )

fish oil
cod liver-oil........: 1 tea-spoon : 400 IU
egg yolk.(boiled).: 1 Whole egg: 18.5 IU
egg yolk............: 1 egg-yolk : 2O-25 IU
Vitamin D only in yolk

some rafined cod liver oils has not vitamin D BECAUSE while its rafined vitamin D taken ...

batuhan

how do you feed cod liver oil to birds? Just put it in a dish, or mix it with food? I presume putting it on seed is not good, would probably turn the seed rancid? have never tried this before....

Sally wrote:Haven't tried celery with my birds, will have to chop some up. What is black cabbage?

If you use celery, de-rib it first. It chops easier and is easier for the birds to eat it. My vet told me if I gave our Gray celery always de-rib it first.

batuhan wrote:

CandoAviary wrote:Batuhan, I like you no nonsense approach to diet
Good pointers. In this country folks go for the multiprocessed pelleted food that gaurantees total nutrition Then again in this country they think a good meal is McDonalds

I have/had been keeping various kinds of birds for 30 years.
I have never seen a dead bird in my cage except the hatchlings..
you say :in your country folks go for the multiprocessed PELLETED food that guarantees total nutrition
I am sorry but
I will say :please Do NOT send your birds for the multiprocessed pelleted food that guarantees total DEATH.
follow the nature please as possible as you can.....

batuhan

My avain vet recommends pellets such as natural Zupreem and Roudybush since the pellets are pretty balanced nutrionally (some of the colored pellets, not all contain sugars). I use it along side of seed, it is ground and added to dried egg food and Miracle meal. I supplement with dried herbs and veggies. I have yet had a bird die from it, I've used Roudybush for years.

It is like dog food, the ingredients can be garbage or great.

CandoAviary wrote:Batuhan, I like you no nonsense approach to diet
Good pointers. In this country folks go for the multiprocessed pelleted food that gaurantees total nutrition Then again in this country they think a good meal is McDonalds

This is nonsense. Zoos use pelleted food.