In the wild birds have access to a huge range of alternative nutrients, some of which they may eat regularly, albeit in small quantities, some they may eat from time to time as required. Wild birds do not have access to the wormers and antibiotics that we administer when needed, but they do have access to natural medicines and cures. The well known example of this is the way parrots and macaws flock to the clay licks in the Amazon Basin. This puzzled scientists for some time until they discovered that part of the parrots’ diet were fruits which contained a toxin. The clay was kaolin which nullified the toxin. In Africa, birds and animals have been recorded and photographed eating and dust bathing in diatomite. Researchers then discovered that the diatomite killed external parasites and when eaten killed a majority of the gut worm load. There are, of course, plants which do exactly the same and birds ‘anting’, i.e. using ants to remove external parasites is also well documented.

As well as using natural medicines, birds also naturally supplement their normal diet with small amounts of other nutrients. Some species of birds which we keep in captivity never achieve the vibrancy and colour of their wild counterparts. Most of us are aware that this is due to a lack of carotenes in the standard diet we feed, and some people compensate for this by feeding the artificial colour food commonly given to canaries.

What is not commonly understood is that carotenes are possibly one of the most important components of our birds’ diet and have a direct effect on fertility, the immune system, the endocrine system, cell membrane maintenance and, of course, eyesight. There may well be other benefits we are not aware of yet. For example, human medical research has identified that carotenes may be useful in the treatment of cancer.

MICRO-NUTRIENTS – What is it?

Trace elements, carotenoid pigments, fatty acids and numerous vitamins and minerals are essential for development and health of your birds. “Micro-Nutrients” is a scientifically formulated supplement designed to be added to a bird’s existing diet to provide all these micro-nutrients which are not normally available to captive birds. It enhances fertility, feather colour, as well as boosting the immune system, inhibiting parasites and generally having beneficial health-related functions.

The supplement provides:

Carotenes: cis-lutein, trans-lutein, zeaxanthin, cis-zeaxanthin, t-beta-cryptoxanthin, 15-cis-betacarotene, 13-cis-beta-carotene, cis-beta-carotene, t-beta-carotene, 9-cis-beta-carotene cis-lycopene, trans-lycopene.
Minerals: aluminium, boron, calcium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, nickel, phosphorous, selenium, sulphur, zinc.
Lipids: Saturated fatty acids, mono-unsaturated fatty acids, omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
Fat-soluble vitamins: A, D3, E, K.
Water-soluble vitamins: B12, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamine.

NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS – MIC

When do you feed it?  Introduce 6 weeks prior to and during the breeding season, during the moult and periods of stress (such as transportation). Continue feeding juveniles at least through their first moult.

How do you feed it?  “Micro-Nutrients” may be fed by adding 5% or 1 part to 20 parts of sprouted seed/ milk seed mix OR in a soft food mix OR with a dry seed mix to which an oil has been added (15ml/kg seed) as a carrier for the supplement. To enhance colour, during moult or during stress add 2 teaspoons of Micro-Nutrients per cup.

How do you store it?  This product can be frozen or stored in a cool, dry container to maintain quality until used.

MICRO-NUTRIENTS CONTAINS NATURAL PROBIOTICS
MICRO-NUTRIENTS CONTAINS ‘SUPER FOOD’ SPIRULINA
MICRO-NUTRIENTS IS RICH IN CAROTENOIDS
MICRO-NUTRIENTS CONTAINS TRACE MINERALS
MICRO-NUTRIENTS CONTAINS IMMUNE BUILDERS
MICRO-NUTRIENTS CONTAINS PARASITE INHIBITORS
MICRO-NUTRIENTS CONTAINS A NATURAL ANTIBIOTIC