Avian Malnutrition Defined
In the avian veterinary textbook, Avian Medicine: Principles and Application, Patricia MacWhirter, DVM, explains, “Avian malnutrition [or undernutrition] can cause a specific problem or [completely] suppress a bird’s immune system.” Unless a parrot, or finch, receives the type and quantity of nutrients needed on a daily basis, malnutrition or undernutrition will result.
Young Triton Cockatoo.
Also from, Avian Medicine: Principles and Application, Louise Bauck, DVM, explains, “Infection always occurs secondary to a situation or circumstance that caused the immune system to become suppressed or compromised.” These two quotes champion the belief that the quality and type of foods a parrot, or finch, receives has a direct effect on the health – or lack of health – of the bird’s immune system.
Poor Nutrition Causes Avian Malnutrition
In the International Journal of Foods Sciences and Nutritional Sciences, volume 2, issue 2, 2013, the research paper titled, “Effect of Sprouting on Physical Properties and Functional and Nutritional Components of Multi-nutrient Mixes”, was published. These researchers explain, “The critical period where children develop malnutrition coincides with the introduction of complementary foods, that are nutritionally inadequate… there is a need for nutritionally balanced, energy-dense, easily digestible foods that possess functional benefits. As defined by the Mayo Clinic, “Functional foods are foods that have been shown to have a positive effect beyond basic nutrition. Those using food for creating good health explain that functional foods promote optimal health and help reduce the risk of disease.
Sample: a balanced meal for a pair of Crimson-winged parrots.
As we learned above, malnutrition or undernutrition can cause a specific problem or completely suppress a bird’s immune system. Unless a parrot, or finch, receives the type, quantity and proper balance of nutrients needed on a daily basis malnutrition or undernutrition will result.
Even birds who have developed feather destruction behaviors respond well to being fed a balanced and wholesome food plan. Although healing feather destruction is a very involved situation, a powerful nutritional foundation for reversing this condition can be laid by feeding our sprouting blend, that has been specifically formulated to provide your birds complete protein. After allowing it to grow for two to three days it provides essential nutrient missing in many other commonly fed foods.
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