Gouldians - Weekly Vitamin w/ Iodine

[WeimerHeimer]

I met a breeder at a bird show in Baltimore yesterday. We were conversing on different things he does for Gouldians. I will is Gouldians were VERY nice that he had for sale. One this he told me what Gouldiand need lot of Iodine in their diet. He told me that he uses a vitamin high in Iodine that is sold by Tractor Supply called, "Red Cell". He mixes it at 1 tsp per gallon of water and gives it to his Gouldians several times per week. Red Cell is actually a Horse vitamin, but I google it and saw other users have used it for dogs and birds both.

Has any ever heard of this?

Does anyone else give Iodine on a regular basis to their Gouldians?

Thanks!

[CandoAviary]

Yes, I prefer to give it in the form of kelp. Natural and birds can't easily over do the intake. When the product is mixed with water the birds will ingest the iodine whether they need it or not.
Some studies have shown that too much can have heakth problems. I have used Ioford at times created by Dr. Rob Marshall as outlined in his book in detail...

http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/product_ioford.php

[L in Ontario]

Candace - we should not post quotes from any other websites but rather just supply the Url link to d irect those interested to the applicable website with directions on how far to scroll down the page. Please advise which portion of your post is the quote so it can be deleted. Thank uou.

[Martie]

I do believe that Gouldians need supplemental Iodine and agree with Candace that allowing them to take it as they need it in the form of kelp is the best way to go.

We've discussed this before and this thread is reminding me I want to actually get some kelp in here so I can do that! For many years, I have supplemented with a product called Liqui-Kelp in the water. As Candace said, this means they are getting Iodine whether they need it or not.

That said, however, it has worked just fine for many years. There are likely many reasons for Gouldian feather loss on their heads. One of them is Iodine deficiency. I have seen this work myself in friends' bird rooms where the Gouldians were balding.

I'd not heard of Red Cell before - here's a link to the product: http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... CHkQ8wIwAg. It's really inexpensive - $15.00 per gallon - would last a long time. On the down side, however, (to me) it has a lot of stuff in it beyond the Iodine - and is formulated for horses. While I don't doubt this person is using it with great success, I will stick with vitamin supplements that are formulated specifically for birds. Just seems safer...

[nixity]

I'm wondering if you're the woman I spoke to at my table or not.
You might want to read this:
http://www.geocities.com/bjbills1/Balding.html

I honestly cannot fathom giving Red Cell to birds.
I rode horses for a good period of my life and even when I was in the throes of competing in Hunter/Jumper and Dressage I didn't even give my HORSE Red Cell because it's really formulated for high performance sport horses (race horses, cross country, etc).

I also don't personally use liquid iodine supplements for the same reason Candace doesn't.
I provide my birds with either Powdered Kelp or Spirulina free choice and they eat it as they need it, but I don't think they're consuming it because of a need for additional iodine.
I think they consume it because both of these products packs a huge vitamin, mineral and protein punch as well. Iodine is just a small part of what these two supplements provide.

So many people tried to link Iodine with balding and for a long time even Laraine pushed this idea and only with the creation of her new site did she really switch up her articles to side with the theory that the balding is probably more hormonal or nutritional.

With a GOOD diet, the birds should get plenty of natural iodine without needing supplementation. Same with Iron.

If you want to be sure your birds have plenty of Iron in their diet my recommendation would be to offer it naturally and free choice - in the form of fresh broccoli, peas, spinach (in limited quantities, as it binds with calcium in the body and can deplete calcium resources if it given too much).

If you prefer a supplement, I would really stick to something manufactured exclusively for birds because it takes away the dosing guesswork. A simple multi-vitamin should contain sufficient iron.

[CandoAviary]

This is the part from the earlier post that was quoted from the url given. I believe the others have answered the poster's question so feel free to delete the info. It is after the : and before the posted supplied Url link of
http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/product_ioford.php
This quote is also taken from Dr. Rob Marshall's book, CANARY HEALTH, again which I gladly give the credit to

[debbie276]

With a GOOD diet, the birds should get plenty of natural iodine without needing supplementation. Same with Iron.

Agree totally!

[WeimerHeimer]

I'm wondering if you're the woman I spoke to at my table or not.

Aaahhhh, that really hurts!

Guys can like and have Finches, too.

Read my signature please!!! Lol

[nixity]

I'm wondering if you're the woman I spoke to at my table or not.

Aaahhhh, that really hurts!

Guys can like and have Finches, too.

Read my signature please!!! Lol

Oh my gosh!! LOL
I didn't even read your signature I feel so silly!!


Sorry about that!
Did you speak to Lisa from Delaware at all? She told me she referred someone to come talk to me who had spoken to that gentleman in terms of what to pair to what and that the information he was giving was wrong.
Hrmph... I'm trying to figure out if I met you or spoke to you!

[kenny66]

My flock of gouldians just at the end of the breeding season is about 80-90. I dont supplement for iodine in the water-ever. I do provide a crushed calcium/grit dry mix some of which has an iodine supplement. The birds can have it ad lib but take very little of it. My experience is that many breeders who want to provide iodine supplementation, and not all do,attempt to do so with natural products.

[PrettyBird]

Herb salad has some kelp in it. In your opinions if someone was to give them herb salad, is this good enough for them to get their iodine intake? Or do you think supplimenting with powdered kelp on top of that is required?

[kenny66]

for me i would think that herb salad with iodine is enough (natural). There are many many gouldian breeders who do not supplement with iodine. Also there are those that do. Like I said mine take very little of the iodine-kelp-powder/grit available so I guess the are getting plenty from the range of veggies, I give then twice a day. you should also remember that too much iodine can be very harmful to finches. Water based could overdose. From memory kelp contains about 420 mcg/half cup so allowing the birds to choose to take it is safest.