What's the best vitamin supplement?

[tiki]

Hi - hoping to get some vitamin supplement advice. I've heard Nekton S is the best, but having trouble finding it at local shops, and it's $8.99 to ship from the big online stores - pretty steep considering the small bottle only costs $9.00!

I'd like to get my birds a good supplement - IS one better than another? Is there any that any of you particulary like?

Right now I just use the all-purpose stuff from Wal-Mart in combination with a dozen mineral blocks, cuttle bones, etc.

Also, anyone use the Nekton Bio?

Thank you!!

[clifff123]

I have had my jojo for about 5 yrs and have never given her any supplement. She gets seeds and daily veg. and treats. I have six and they are all fine at this time. Why do you feel you need to give them a supplement? Maybe some of the other members can give us some advice on this

[tiki]

I guess I don't have any particular reason. My Daisy had a bumpy cere that I had been worried about (posted on here and got a lot of help - they were right, she was fine), ended up taking her to the vet where she got a clean bill of health, but it still freaked me out a little.

All my birds are good veggie eaters, but I want to make sure they're getting everything they need. The vet asked me if they got supplements - which they do - but it got me wondering if my cheapie stuff was the way to go.

[BUUZBEE]

I personally dont use any "supliments"

if they are on a well balanced diet, veggies, seeds, pellets, etc., they dont need supliments. pellets have enough added as it is!

Well Balanced Diet!

[Bea]

If they're not already on it then adding good quality pellets would be better than a supplement. If they're good veggie eaters and you offer them different things you probably don't have a problem anyway.

[BUUZBEE]

here is a good article on supplements & pellets....

http://www.djfeathers.com/Articles/seedorpellet.htm

[Budgiekin]

My avian vet recommended the Nekton S supplement when my budgies were not eating well due to illness. As far as offering them this daily, it may not be necessary if they already eat a varied diet. If they are not willing to broaden their diets (i.e. to include veggies, pellets and seeds), then perhaps a supplement sprinkled on their food is not a bad idea. Just be careful not to overdose them on it as too much of a good thing is not good either! ;)

[Vanny]

My vet said that if the bird eats plain seeds, and doesn't really eat any fruit or veggies, you should add powdered vitamins to their diet. I only use it once in awhile though. I use Prime. It's quite good.

[Zazu_Love]

The Avian medicine chest offers EXCELLENT products including a vitamin supplement. It's called VitaPac. My avian vet recommends their stuff. Both of my birds get the VitaPac, Concentrated trace minerals and ProBac (probiotic) in their soft food (veggies and egg) a few times a week. The difference is amazing.

Zazu is recovering from a cancerous growth on her liver through using their products. I had an another avian vet (not the one I see now) give up on her and told me to euthanize her. She had lost scary amounts of weight, was vomiting, her droppings were water with whole seed in them. Now...she's like she was when she was a baby, full of life and completely normal. I turned to the avian medicine chest as a last resort, and their stuff was the ONLY thing that helped, and trust me I tried everything else.

If you want really good stuff that will boost your bird's health I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Also, just to note, both of my birds have always had the very best in food, locally grown seeds from a reputable pesticide free source, harrisons pellets, loads of veggies and some egg/pasta/rice for protein and carbs. I still choose to use a supplement because it contains vitamins/minerals in there that aren't all found in the foods I give them. I really notice the difference, especially in feather quality.

So that's my 2 cents :D

[tiki]

Thanks everyone - again! What a helpful place... wish I had found it earlier! Zazu, I really appreciate the info. I am going to go with your advice, the VitaPac and ProBac and see how she does. Although she very well may be just "hormonal" because I have a male as well, I'm not entirely sold on the diagnoses and want to be extra sure.

Also, I have had Harrisons, Zupreem AND Exact pellets which I put a bit of with their veggie plate daily - but the 'keets have never touched any of it. In the past, I've mixed it with their seed with the same result. I'm still using the Harrisons - I keep it in the fridge and give about a teaspoon regularly - but at this point, it's just to use it up because they don't eat it. They are both great eaters - spinach and kale especially, but also chopped hardboiled eggs, oatmeal, pasta, sprouts, etc., so how are you getting your birds to eat pellets? Mine literally spend hours picking them out and throwing them on the floor (at least it keeps them active!)

I've heard good and bad about pellets and was under the assumption you had to choose between a seed or pellet diet. I thought they were the bird equivalent of 'Total' - 100% complete but tastes like cardboard and only something you'd eat if there was nothing else in the house.

Thank you all again!!

[Zazu_Love]

Hi Tiki,

I'm very glad that I was able to share with you what I know to work. LOl, yes getting the birds to eat the pellets was quite the challenge! They take one look at it and think, that's not a seed! My avian vet had some interesting advice that worked well for me.

What you do is forage with your birds. Sprinkle some pellets on the table, or a towel and bring your birds over. Then using your index finger start scratching around the table/towel like a bird would when looking for seed. Once you "find" a pellet, pick it up with you index and thumb and crush it. This creates a cracking noise like seeds when the birds hull them. Once they seem curious in what you are doing push a pellet over towards them to try.

Both Zazu and Teddy now eat the pellets when I serve them this way. In their food bowl seems to be another story as they always prefer the seeds. So now I have a daily foraging time with them where we spend time together and they eat the pellets then. I don't see anything wrong with a mixed seed and pellet diet.

It sounds like your birds have an excellent and varied diet which is awesome. I wanted to mention that even though the avian medicine chest's vitamins are more pricey, you get a lot and it lasts you ages. Money well spent IMO.

[BUUZBEE]

Thats FANTASTIC you are trying the foraging method :)

[pankhi]

Hi,

My vet suggested using Budgie Builder by AVIX- it is for budgies who eat only seeds. My birds used to eat fruits and vegs but stopped. The problem with budgie builder is that only a few places carry it (my vet being one).

[BUUZBEE]

Hi,

My vet suggested using Budgie Builder by AVIX- it is for budgies who eat only seeds. My birds used to eat fruits and vegs but stopped. The problem with budgie builder is that only a few places carry it (my vet being one).

any idea why they stopped eating their veggies? Its odd :S

[Nika]

I'm still using the Harrisons - I keep it in the fridge ....>>>

Tiki, Harrison's does not require refrigeration.
Here is how to store their food:

"Storage and Shelf Life: Because there are no artificial preservatives, we suggest you smell this product for freshness prior to feeding. Use food in 4 - 6 weeks after opening bag. Keep food fresh by squeezing all air out of bag and zipping the bag shut. If zip lock gets removed or damaged, fold top over several times and clip shut with a clip. Keep food in original bag. Do not store food in plastic bags or Tupperware®. Store at room temperature. Refrigeration of food is not necessary."