The Missing Link?--diet

[Pajarita]

Now, what parrots benefit from are cellulases and xynalases which are enzymes that break down plant material but I think that a good fresh food organic diet is more than sufficient to provide them with the natural enzymes (and that's another reason why I don't feed pellets). Having said that, I do give mine probiotics (as well as vit B12) every now and then but I use the human ones that have the greatest number of strains.

In what form do you give the vitamin B12 and probiotics? Crushed up pills, liquid?

The B12 comes in little tablets that I crush with my mortar and pestle and the probiotics come in capsules which I just open. I don't get avian probiotics because they are nothing but a gimmick as they have the same strains as any human probiotic, I get the human ones that have the most number of strains (right now I am using this one: http://consumersguides.com/probiotics_r ... eview.html)

[CSLFiero]

Ah.. The great dairy debate.. I try not to worry about what is the right answer, they're probably both seated from a place of knowledge an experience. Where the two sides meet, in between the two arguments, is where the most truth is likely to be.. That is, if you give your bird dairy, give it lactose free dairies or extremely low lactose dairies like yoghurt and cheese. Most brands which carry particularly low(<99%) or no lactose at all typically advertise this fact because of humanities own frequent lactose intolerance.

Edit: and of course monitor your birds weight and stool. No one knows what is normal for a bird better than its owner, so always exercise proper parrot husbandry.

[KimberlyAnn]

[/quote]The B12 comes in little tablets that I crush with my mortar and pestle and the probiotics come in capsules which I just open. I don't get avian probiotics because they are nothing but a gimmick as they have the same strains as any human probiotic, I get the human ones that have the most number of strains (right now I am using this one: http://consumersguides.com/probiotics_r ... eview.html)[/quote]

I see! And yes, tons of gimmicks. I save so much money looking at ingredients and creating my own food etc.

[Iggy's here]

It just occurred to me that a good natural cheap probiotic to give to parrots might be rejuvelac. I don't know why I didn't think of it before! Rejuvelac is basically the water in which grains are sprouted. Below are some simple instructions to make it. I was drinking a glass today and gave Iggy a chance to try it...he seemed to really like it !

"Rejuvelac is a fermented beverage that is inexpensive, easy to make, refreshing to drink and FULL of wonderful nutrients for your body. A healthy probiotic, it also has vitamins B, K and E, proteins, and enzymes. It is beneficial to your digestive system, promoting a healthy intestinal environment." http://www.rawmazing.com/rejuvelac/ (instructions on how to make it)

[Pajarita]

I've heard of it but never tried it myself because, although it's supposed to be very healthy, I can't bring myself to drinking cloudy (stagnant?) water...

[Iggy's here]

It is actually really nice with a very fresh lemony taste. If you leave it too long in the fridge you know because it no longer has the fresh slightly lemon flavour.