Birds need to be well supplied with vitamins. The best way to achieve this is by feeding the animals varied and with lots of fresh things.
Birds kept at home not only need to be well supplied with carbohydrates, fats and proteins, but also with vitamins and minerals. The best way to get these nutrients is by feeding raw foods.
But which vitamins should holders pay attention to? The biologist Jason Crean gives an overview in the journal “Budgerigar & Parrots” (July / August 2020 edition):
– Vitamin A: It is one of the fat-soluble vitamins and affects, among other things, the immune system and hormones. It is also responsible for pigmenting the feathers. Vitamin A is created by converting beta-carotene, for example, which is found in many types of fruit and vegetables such as chard and other dark green leafy vegetables. According to veterinarians, vitamin A deficiency is one of the most common deficiency symptoms.
– Vitamin C: It is found, for example, in many types of fruit and vegetables, including cherries, kale, broccoli and peppers. It not only supports the immune system, but also the development of normal growth and repairs in the body.
– Vitamin D: Birds that are kept indoors without access to natural light may have a vitamin D deficiency. Because there are only a few food sources that provide this nutrient. Bird owners should therefore allow their animals to come into direct contact with sunlight as often as possible.
– Vitamin E: Sunflower seeds, almonds and hazelnuts are excellent sources of vitamin E. A deficiency in birds can lead to cardiovascular diseases and problems with the immune system.
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