Vitamins

[sebas77]

Hi,

I have been using nutribal for more than one year for my conures, but I won't buy them anymore. Even if I use more than indicated, they go bad way before I ever finish the product. When the container is still half full, they change color and start to smell very bad. I decide to buy Hari prime from amazon, but I have never heard of this before . Do you have any advice for me?

 

[noodles123]

Are you talking about a powder vitamin supplement?
You should be very cautious with these----it is easy to accidentally overdose your bird with vitamins if you aren't doing it under the supervision of a vet.
Also, never add them to water (they increase bacterial growth, can make your bird drink less if they don't the the taste and it's impossible to tell how much of the supplement your bird is given if mixed into water).

I tried to look up the product and it looked like a powder supplement--- sorry if I am wrong. I haven't heard of it though.

A balanced diet is a safer way to ensure proper nutrition. What do your birds eat daily and what made you decide to supplement? I know there are some really picky-eaters out there, but if at all possible, it is always best to avoid supplements unless they are deemed necessary...ESPECIALLY if your bird is eating pellets/seeds with vitamins already added to the content.

 

[sebas77]

Thank you for the reply.

It is a powder vitamin supplement. Nutrobal (not Nutribal) is well known in the UK and it's recommended by aviaries.
My conures diet is mainly based on those rich mixes of seeds and dried fruit and veggies. They do not eat much fresh ones, they love peas but that's eat mostly. They eat a lot of fresh fruit though, including banana, strawberries, apple, blueberries.
My only concern so far is the vitamin D, they are really not getting much light. I did buy an artificial UVA light, but I don't use it often.

 

[SailBoat]

Also, it is safer to use your refrigerator for the dry product you provide daily and the freezer for longer storage.

 

[sebas77]

Thanks for the fridge suggestion, but then what's the verdict?

Keep on using vitamins with moderation? If so which brand do you suggest? I know raw vitamins can smell (vitamin B mostly), but why does Nutrobal smell after weeks? Shall I ask to a vet?

 

[SailBoat]

NO, no reason to waste money and/or chance an overdose with over-the-counter products not required based on a full spectrum Blood test, which defines a need to add.

An Avian Professional commonly starts with a change in the diet and then a specific mineral or vitamin additive, most commonly direct or in the solid dry food segment of the diet.

 

[sebas77]

so do you suggest a vet check up to be sure?

 

[SailBoat]

so do you suggest a vet check up to be sure?

I (we) do not have your Parrot in our hands, have not lived with your Parrot and therefore know of changes or telltale indicators of its Health Status... You have!

If you are not comfortable with the Health of Your Parrot and/or have not or never taken your Parrot to an Avian Professional, then YES, set an appointment.

 

[sebas77]

my parrot are very healthy and happy, it's only precaution if necessary. So I guess what you are saying is to check only if I suspect something and not preventing possible issues. At the end of the day is all about the diet, but the light is something I struggle to understand if they get enough of.

 

[SailBoat]

" At the end of the day is all about the diet, but the light is something I struggle to understand if they get enough of. "

Got, Windows? When the Sunshines, place the bird in the Sunlight!

Set you Bird up on a Yearly Examination Schedule... This way, you will have a clear determination of the Health of your Bird. At present, you sound as if you are looking for something to be wrong with your Bird...

 

[noodles123]

pellets often are fortified, so as long as this isn't an eclectus, you could do a mix of fruit.veg (more veg than fruit), healthy seeds, and pellets and cut out the vitamins (unless vet advises otherwise).

 

[sebas77]

thank you noodles. However I don't use pellots and my parrots wouldn't eat them.

I know this is an american forum, but I live in the UK and this winter the sunshine has been miserable.