{"id":5709,"date":"2019-09-02T19:11:30","date_gmt":"2019-09-03T02:11:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestbirdfoodever.com\/?p=5709"},"modified":"2019-09-02T19:11:30","modified_gmt":"2019-09-03T02:11:30","slug":"parrot-supplements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/margolincom.com\/bbfe\/parrot-supplements\/","title":{"rendered":"Parrot Supplements – Not Needed!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Parrot supplements vs A Balance<\/i> of Real Food<\/span><\/h3>\n
\"Pineapple
She jumps into the bowl the second I pour the sprouts in.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When parrots and finches joined my family in 1998, I used to feed them a wide variety of supplements. But the only reason I did this was because I was just starting to learn about the correct combination of foods that makes up a TRUE–‘Balanced<\/i> Exotic Avian Maintenance Diet Food Plan\u2019.\u00a0Then, when I started writing for Parrots<\/i> magazine in 2002, I had the opportunity to do extensive background research for my articles and monthly column\u2014\u2018The Holistic Parrot\u2019. Since then I\u2019ve read hundreds <\/i>of peer-reviewed scientific published papers. The knowledge I\u2019ve gained from this in-depth analysis serves as the foundation for the hundreds of articles I’ve written on avian nutrition. And this powerful, science-based background, has taught me that when fed the proper balance of nutritious foods, parrots don\u2019t need nutritional parrot supplements.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While, more importantly, I\u2019ve used all this valuable information to create my \u2018Balanced<\/i> Exotic Avian Maintenance Diet Food Plan\u2019. And I\u2019ve seen the positive results of my balanced food plan in my own parrots and finches, my client\u2019s birds, and in the parrots in the Healthy bird Project. <\/span><\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

Parrots Don\u2019t Need Supplements<\/span><\/h3>\n

I stopped feeding all avian nutritional supplements to my own parrots many years ago. Improving a parrot’s basic nutrition by feeding a balanced<\/i> food plan is the first step before using any type of nutritional supplements.<\/b> When you’re feeding your parrots and finches my\u00a0‘Balanced<\/i> Exotic Avian Maintenance Diet Food Plan’, you don’t need any avian nutritional supplements. Following \u2018old school\u2019 practices of feeding a wide variety of different foods will not give your birds \u2018balanced nutrition<\/i>\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

Supplement Companies Have It Backwards!<\/span><\/h3>\n

All those companies that sell supplements for parrots and finches have convinced you that you NEED to buy their products to round-out the nutrition in the foods your birds eat. However, when bird lovers are feeding caged companion parrots and finches extremely poor quality diets of dry seeds, pellets, and other random foods–of course birds eating this type of poorly balanced diet are suffering from avian malnutrition. However, supplements will not fix avian malnutrition<\/strong>. The only way to reverse avian malnutrition is to feed\u00a0your flock my \u00a0‘Balanced<\/i> Exotic Avian Maintenance Diet Food Plan\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Two Examples: Why Parrots Don\u2019t Need Supplements.<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"\"As a part of the \u2018Intake Information\u2019 for the the Healthy Bird Project (HBP) one member included information about two supplements she was feeding her parrot with feather destruction habits.<\/span><\/p>\n

Parrot Supplement For Calming<\/span><\/h3>\n

The first parrot supplement<\/strong> she sent me photos of was for calming her parrot. It contained two ingredients: one amino acid, L-Theanine, and maltodextrin. <\/span>L-Theanine<\/b> is found most commonly in green and black tea leaves. This may be where the popular and ineffective FAD of feeding tea to parrots has grown from. <\/span><\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

When a parrot is suffering from malnutrition L-Theanine will not calm them. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A more common sense<\/strong> and practical approach for \"ingredientsinducing calm behavior in parrots is providing easily absorbable calcium in the diet. However, for calcium to be used by the body the proper ratio of calcium to phosphorus in foods must be present. Having balanced amounts of calcium and phosphorus in a parrot\u2019s diet is the only way this bird will calm down. This is just one of the hundreds of essential nutrient interactions that are provided in my \u2018Balanced<\/i> Exotic Avian Maintenance Diet Food Plan\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maltodextrin, the second ingredient in this parrot supplement, is linked to many bad side effects. See my separate blog post: Maltodextrin\u2014Bad for Parrots.<\/a><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

I suggested she stop feeding this parrot supplement immediately. And she did, and because her bird is eating balanced nutrition she is seeing positive results with her involvement in the Healthy Bird Project.<\/span><\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Parrot Supplement For Feathers<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"parrotThe second parrot supplement<\/strong> she sent me photos of was for feathers. This product contained: stabilized ground flaxseed, stabilized rice bran, ground grain sorghum, yeast culture, calcium carbonate, vitamin E, iron polysaccharide complex, zinc sulfate, copper polysaccharide complex, biotin, sodium selenite, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, vitamin A, vitamin D3, calcium iodate, vitamin B6. <\/span><\/p>\n

This product contains<\/strong> many ingredients that are easily available in natural wholesome foods. The B vitamins (biotin, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin and vitamin B6) are in many whole grains. I also advise extreme caution in feeding ANY parrot supplement that contains the fat soluble vitamins A and D. <\/b> The amounts of these two vitamins are not listed on the product label. For more on the dangers of vitamin A and D parrot supplements, read my blog post, \u201cFeeding Parrots, Over-Supplementation Malnutrition\u201d<\/a><\/span>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

More concerns: <\/b>Feathers are composed of protein amino acids. These essential nutrients are not included in this product. The calcium in this product does not appear to have phosphorus provided in the proper ratio for its absorption. The product does seem to offer a nice ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 essential fatty acids. However, I explained that once her parrot was eating the BBFE sprouting blend, and his daily portion of walnuts, she could stop using this product. The walnuts provide parrots the ideal omega-3 to omega-6 essential fatty acid ratio. She stopped using this product soon afterwards.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can also see<\/strong> that feeding instruction say to sprinkle the product onto dry seed.<\/strong> This company has no idea how to use balanced nutrition to promote radiant health in parrots.<\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

Balanced Parrot Nutrition is Easy!<\/span><\/h3>\n

Following and feeding<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

my ‘Balanced<\/i> Exotic Avian Maintenance Diet Food Plan”, is really simple and easy. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Sample
Sample Balanced meal for a Blue & Gold Macaw.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I’ve made balanced avian nutrition easy for you. The avian nutritional supplement companies want you to think that balanced nutrition for your flock is hard. Or even impossible! But nothing is further from the truth. The best way to start feeding your flock a Balanced<\/i> Food Plan is to start feeding our BBFE sprouting blends. Because BBFE is so nutrient dense, it is the main food–the foundational food–in my\u00a0‘Balanced<\/i> Exotic Avian Food Plan\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Two Exceptions<\/span><\/h3>\n

Right now, I have two exceptions to my no supplements need rule. These are DMG (dimethylglycine)<\/b> and Probiotics. The DMG is only used on a case by case basis when serious symptoms are present. Probiotics can help support the metabolism of a malnourished parrot or finch during the diet transition period.\u00a0 After the bird has been on my balanced food plan for a while, and we are seeing improvements then probiotics can be stopped. For more information on DMG see the two links below:<\/span><\/p>\n

DMG – A Metabolic Miracle<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Buy DMG here<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Do you feed your parrot supplements?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Email us photos of the containers. Tell us why you\u2019re feeding this supplement and the type of parrot you\u2019re giving it to.<\/span><\/p>\n

lesliebbfe@gmail.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Let me help you learn a way using wholesome foods to accomplish your health and wellness goals for your parrots.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To the best of health for your flock!<\/p>\n

\"signature\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Parrot supplements vs A Balance of Real Food When parrots and finches joined my family in 1998, I used to feed them a wide variety of supplements. But the only reason I did this was because I was just starting to learn about the correct combination of foods that makes up a TRUE–‘Balanced Exotic Avian Maintenance Diet Food Plan\u2019.\u00a0Then, when I started writing for Parrots magazine in 2002, I had the opportunity to do extensive background research for my articles and monthly column\u2014\u2018The Holistic Parrot\u2019. Since then I\u2019ve read hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific published papers. The knowledge I\u2019ve gained from this in-depth analysis serves as the foundation for the hundreds of articles I’ve written on avian nutrition. And this powerful, science-based background, has taught me that when fed the proper balance of nutritious foods, parrots don\u2019t need nutritional parrot supplements.\u00a0 While, more importantly, I\u2019ve used all this valuable information to create my \u2018Balanced Exotic Avian Maintenance Diet Food Plan\u2019. And I\u2019ve seen the positive results of my balanced food plan in my own parrots and finches, my client\u2019s birds, and in the parrots in the Healthy bird Project. . Parrots Don\u2019t Need Supplements I stopped feeding all avian nutritional supplements to my own parrots many years ago. Improving a parrot’s basic nutrition by feeding a balanced food plan is the first step before using any type of nutritional supplements. When you’re feeding your parrots and finches my\u00a0‘Balanced Exotic Avian Maintenance Diet Food Plan’, you don’t need any avian nutritional supplements. Following \u2018old school\u2019 practices of feeding a wide variety of different foods will not give your birds \u2018balanced nutrition\u2019. . Supplement Companies Have It Backwards! All those companies that sell supplements for parrots and finches have convinced you that you NEED to buy their products to round-out the nutrition in the foods your birds eat. However, when bird lovers are feeding caged companion parrots and finches extremely poor quality diets of dry seeds, pellets, and other random foods–of course birds eating this type of poorly balanced diet are suffering from avian malnutrition. However, supplements will not fix avian malnutrition. The only way to reverse avian malnutrition is to feed\u00a0your flock my \u00a0‘Balanced Exotic Avian Maintenance Diet Food Plan\u2019.   Two Examples: Why Parrots Don\u2019t Need Supplements. As a part of the \u2018Intake Information\u2019 for the the Healthy Bird Project (HBP) one member included information about two supplements she was feeding her parrot with feather destruction habits. Parrot Supplement For Calming The first parrot supplement she sent me photos of was for calming her parrot. It contained two ingredients: one amino acid, L-Theanine, and maltodextrin. L-Theanine is found most commonly in green and black tea leaves. This may be where the popular and ineffective FAD of feeding tea to parrots has grown from. . When a parrot is suffering from malnutrition L-Theanine will not calm them.   A more common sense and practical approach for inducing calm behavior in parrots is providing easily absorbable calcium in the diet. However, for calcium to be used by the body the proper ratio of calcium to phosphorus in foods must be present. Having balanced amounts of calcium and phosphorus in a parrot\u2019s diet is the only way this bird will calm down. This is just one of the hundreds of essential nutrient interactions that are provided in my \u2018Balanced Exotic Avian Maintenance Diet Food Plan\u2019. Maltodextrin, the second ingredient in this parrot supplement, is linked to many bad side effects. See my separate blog post: Maltodextrin\u2014Bad for Parrots. I suggested she stop feeding this parrot supplement immediately. And she did, and because her bird is eating balanced nutrition she is seeing positive results with her involvement in the Healthy Bird Project. . Parrot Supplement For Feathers The second parrot supplement she sent me photos of was for feathers. This product contained: stabilized ground flaxseed, stabilized rice bran, ground grain sorghum, yeast culture, calcium carbonate, vitamin E, iron polysaccharide complex, zinc sulfate, copper polysaccharide complex, biotin, sodium selenite, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, vitamin A, vitamin D3, calcium iodate, vitamin B6. This product contains many ingredients that are easily available in natural wholesome foods. The B vitamins (biotin, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin and vitamin B6) are in many whole grains. I also advise extreme caution in feeding ANY parrot supplement that contains the fat soluble vitamins A and D. The amounts of these two vitamins are not listed on the product label. For more on the dangers of vitamin A and D parrot supplements, read my blog post, \u201cFeeding Parrots, Over-Supplementation Malnutrition\u201d.   More concerns: Feathers are composed of protein amino acids. These essential nutrients are not included in this product. The calcium in this product does not appear to have phosphorus provided in the proper ratio for its absorption. The product does seem to offer a nice ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 essential fatty acids. However, I explained that once her parrot was eating the BBFE sprouting blend, and his daily portion of walnuts, she could stop using this product. The walnuts provide parrots the ideal omega-3 to omega-6 essential fatty acid ratio. She stopped using this product soon afterwards. You can also see that feeding instruction say to sprinkle the product onto dry seed. This company has no idea how to use balanced nutrition to promote radiant health in parrots. . Balanced Parrot Nutrition is Easy! Following and feeding\u00a0 my ‘Balanced Exotic Avian Maintenance Diet Food Plan”, is really simple and easy. I’ve made balanced avian nutrition easy for you. The avian nutritional supplement companies want you to think that balanced nutrition for your flock is hard. Or even impossible! But nothing is further from the truth. The best way to start feeding your flock a Balanced Food Plan is to start feeding our BBFE sprouting blends. Because BBFE is so nutrient dense, it is the main food–the foundational food–in my\u00a0‘Balanced Exotic Avian Food Plan\u201d. . . Two Exceptions Right now, I have two exceptions to my no supplements need rule. These are DMG<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5733,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_xspeed_no_cache":false,"_xspeed_expiry_hours":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[205],"tags":[434,477,478,479,480,481,482,483,256,484,485,486,467,469,487,488,471,489,490,491,321,229,492,493,207,494,495,496,497,498,499,500,371,501,502,503,504,435,505,506,507,508,509,510,511,512,513,514,515,516],"class_list":["post-5709","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-parrot-supplements","tag-avitech","tag-best-african-grey-diet","tag-best-african-grey-organic-diet","tag-best-african-grey-seeds","tag-best-african-grey-sprouts","tag-best-amazon-diet","tag-best-amazon-organic-diet","tag-best-amazon-seeds","tag-best-amazon-sprouts","tag-best-caique-diet","tag-best-caique-organic-diet","tag-best-caique-seeds","tag-best-caique-sprouts","tag-best-cockatiel-diet","tag-best-cockatiel-organic-diet","tag-best-cockatiel-seeds","tag-best-cockatiel-sprouts","tag-best-cockatoo-diet","tag-best-cockatoo-organic-diet","tag-best-cockatoo-seeds","tag-best-cockatoo-sprouts","tag-best-conure-diet","tag-best-conure-organic-diet","tag-best-conure-seeds","tag-best-conure-sprouts","tag-best-lovebird-diet","tag-best-lovebird-organic-diet","tag-best-lovebird-seeds","tag-best-lovebird-sprouts","tag-best-macaw-diet","tag-best-macaw-organic-diet","tag-best-macaw-seeds","tag-best-macaw-sprouts","tag-best-parakeet-diet","tag-best-parakeet-organic-diet","tag-best-parakeet-seeds","tag-best-parakeet-sprouts","tag-best-parrot-supplements","tag-best-parrotlet-diet","tag-best-parrotlet-organic-diet","tag-best-parrotlet-seeds","tag-best-parrotlet-sprouts","tag-best-ringneck-diet","tag-best-ringneck-organic-diet","tag-best-ringneck-seeds","tag-best-ringneck-sprouts","tag-best-rosella-diet","tag-best-rosella-organic-diet","tag-best-rosella-seeds","tag-best-rosella-sprouts","entry","has-media","owp-thumbs-layout-horizontal","owp-btn-normal","owp-tabs-layout-horizontal","has-no-thumbnails","has-product-nav"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/margolincom.com\/bbfe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5709","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/margolincom.com\/bbfe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/margolincom.com\/bbfe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/margolincom.com\/bbfe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/margolincom.com\/bbfe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5709"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/margolincom.com\/bbfe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5709\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/margolincom.com\/bbfe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5709"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/margolincom.com\/bbfe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5709"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/margolincom.com\/bbfe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5709"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}