Vitamin D3

[Derk]

I am going to tentatively dip a toe into this discussion. I do not have access to the article at this moment but I will dig it up & try and post it tomorrow - it stated the benefit of proper lighting but part of the problem is most bulbs are effective for D3 synthesis for about 6 months. After that time, there efficacy drops quickly. Note: the lights still produce light but certain wavelengths change. This obviously drastically increases the cost of bulb.

It was very interesting, it did warn about placing lights too close to the birds and that this may be harsh on their eyes. I believe there was also a warning that not all reptile lights were suitable. If I remember correctly Avitech lights were thought to be fine, and that more expensive systems by Ott lite were not necessary.

[cindy]

there is actually some lengthy topics from the past that discuss that very same thing. I will try to locate them through a search.

[lovezebs]

Goodmorning.
Not an expert by a long shot, just a bird lover with a question.

I have a special avian light over my flight, and the boys are next to a ne facing window. There is natural light coming in but very little sunlight and that through the glass (especially this time of the year).
I purchased a bottle of liquid Vit D at the pet shop, and have been adding a drop to water twice a week. They also get hard boiled eggs every day.

My question is, is this ok? I don't want to under or over dose these little guys. They are all happy and active, with good appetites, bright eyed and in good feather condition.

[Sally]

Personally, the eggs should provide the D3, and many specialty avian lights do provide some D3. With modern windows, even if sunlight is coming through the window, there is no D3 benefit because the glass filters.

If you feel you need to supplement with liquid D3, why not add a drop to your eggfood, rather than in the water? I don't like adding things to my water, because I want my birds to drink and some additives will put them off.

[cindy]

Well said Sally....some birds will drink less or not go near water if it has anything added to it. Fresh clean water, supplement via foods or mixed in foods are often the way to go.

[lovezebs]

Thanks girls. So, if I wanted to supplement just a wee bit, should I just put a drop on their eggs and mash it all together?

You're right about the windows, Sally, they are slightly tinted to filter sunlight.

Another quick question to the wise. It's regarding water. Our city water is a hundred percent drinkable. However, I find that it does have a chlorinated smell to it, and the taste is... well, I prefer to drink my Brita water. That said, should I offer these guys regular water, or the filtered stuff?

[cindy]

if it is chlorinated, fill jugs of water up, let it sit with the top off for 24 hours...some of the odor/chlorine strength will dissipate.

[Colt]

cindy - Actually that's not entirely true. After working at a pet store with a huge fish department and having to "re-teach" older fish keepers new ways of keeping fish, that is still a toss-up IMO. Most water companies have switched from using chlorine to chloramine, which is a compound of ammonia and chlorine. That is because chloramine does not break down as readily as chlorine (In addition to some other reasons). So where 15 years ago you could leave water out over night and then add it to your fish tank with no fear of chlorine killing your fish now you cannot. Or at least not reliably.

I'm sure you can contact your water supply company to find out exactly what chemical they use but to be on the safe side I always make sure to say that boiling or leaving water out does not work like it used to. For fish (and other aquatic creatures) you definitely should use a tap water conditioner.

That being said my birds drink tap water with no issues I've seen. So do my chinchillas, sugar gliders, and dogs.

And here's a link to the chloramine/chlorine discussion:

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA400130

[cindy]

You do have a point Colt, for fish I would rule on the side of caution since their environment is so sensitive. For my birds, dogs and us we drink filtered water with no issue. We had fish years ago and left water out to "air" for 24 to 48 hours as recommended and never had an issue. We had it tested before adding fish and if need be used products to bring it up to condition.

Again when in doubt the best thing is to test the drinking water if questionable. Home Depot (has kits) and your county Health Dept can run tests for you.

[lovezebs]

For my fish I always use conditioner, although years ago, I do recall leaving the water to sit overnight, like Cindy said. Now that's a no go. We just got rid of the floride out of our water a year or two ago, so that's something, but still... I think I'll go with my Brita water for little guys, just because it tastes better.

Thanks for the info folks.

[dutch]

Sally....tried the eggs for d3....my birds only eat a very small amount....one egg for 100+ finches .....they just don't eat enough...so i added the Soluvite

[cindy]

How are you preparing the eggfood Dutch.....mine will not touch it is mashed, cut in two. The only way they will eat it is if it is finely grated.

[lovezebs]

Tried the egg through the garlic squisher thingy. My guys looked at it and said: smells like egg, YUM! If it makes Mom happy to serve it this way, we'll humor her. Then they dug in as usual.

We go through about one egg in two days, but then there is only seven boys in my crew ( so far).

LOL. I wonder what would happen if I offered them a whole hard boiled egg? It would be lke: EEEKKK!!! The jolly green giant laid an egg in our flight... Ah well, let's eat before he comes back.

Going to have to try it someday.

[dutch]

cindy...i mash it up shells and all..i will grate it tomorrow...see how it goes..

They do eat it mashed...but only a small amount...i feed at 7am every morning

I throw in the cos lettuce...they go for the cos first thing....after the lettuce they
go for the grass...after the greens they go straight to the fresh grit..last the egg

[debbie276]

I wonder what would happen if I offered them a whole hard boiled egg?

You'll never know till you try
Let us know the out come if you do.