Complete Protein, the Essential Nutrient Missing in Avian Diets

The Foundation of Life

Crimson-winged Parrots, pair, enjoy BBFE sprouting blend.

Every living organism is composed of protein. Complete protein forms the structural basis of life. Every cell in the avian body, contains protein. Proteins are the primary building blocks for muscles, blood, skin, feathers, nails and vital internal organs. They are essential for proper growth and development. Proteins fuel the body’s ability to form and regulate hormones, enzymes and antibodies. Complete protein supports the body’s ability to make enzymes. Proteins are vital for a healthy immune system and the proper elimination of bodily wastes. For the body to properly utilize proteins specific amounts of all the essential amino acids must be present. This is why feeding your birds a sprouting blend that provides complete protein is so important. Proteins are responsible for every life sustaining biochemical process in the body.

The Ideal Protein Source

However, too much protein from the wrong sources can also cause problems. And depending on ‘pellets’ to provide complete protein will leave your birds in a state of protein malnutrition. The special formulation of our sprouting blends ensures that your parrots and finches get complete protein. The compatible germination and growth rate of our sprouting blends converts the proteins into simple amino acids. This makes them more easily digested and used by the bird’s body. Most other sprouting blends, made by others, do not provide this important balance of essential amino acids (providing complete protein). Eating complete protein every day is vital to a bird’s health and well being.

Complete Protein Supports a Healthy immune System

BBFE Original Complete protein Sprouting Blend, three days growth, ready to feed.

In 1984, David N McMurray, PhD, published a paper in the Progress in Food and Nutrition Science Journal, titled “Cell-mediated immunity in nutritional deficiency”. In this paper McMurray explains that, “Dietary deficiencies of specific nutrients profoundly alter cell-mediated immune responses in man and experimental animals. Both moderate and severe nutritional deficiencies are associated with significant changes in immunocompetence.”

In particular, McMurray highlights, “Malnutrition, particularly dietary protein deficiency, is known to be accompanied by significant impairment of immune functions and resistance to many infectious diseases in humans and experimental animals.”

Only a Healthy Immune System Can Prevent Candida and Aspergillosis

Owl Finch pair, Leslie’s birds.

Candida and aspergillosis (common fungal diseases in parrots and finches) are ubiquitous, meaning they are present everywhere. When these diseases are treated by avian veterinarians the medications they prescribe only manage the symptoms but cannot cure the reason the bird got sick. The only way to prevent your birds from contracting candida, aspergillosis or any other avian disease is by ensuring your bird has a healthy and well functioning immune system. The only way to support the immune system is by feeding your birds balanced nutrition that includes an easily digested form of complete protein.

Complete Protein = Good Health for Your Birds

With complete protein being the most essential nutrient missing from avian diets, can you see the benefit of feeding a food specifically creating for meeting this essential nutritional need in parrots and finches? Ensuring your birds receive adequate amounts of an easily digested form of complete protein provides the basic foundation for good health, healing feather destruction, improving behaviors and a host of other disease states and conditions adversely affecting our birds.