The Experts Explain
From the 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.
Sir Charles, White-eyed Conure, loves his BBFE sprouts.
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.
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Food Requirements
In 2013 the International Journal of Foods Sciences and Nutritional Sciences, Volume 2, issue 2, published the research paper, “Effect of Sprouting on Physical Properties and Functional and Nutritional Components of Multi-nutrient Mixes”. These researchers explain, “The critical period where children develop malnutrition coincides with the introduction of foods that are nutritionally inadequate. There is a need for nutritionally balanced, energy-dense, easily digestible foods that possess functional benefits. The Mayo Clinic defines functional foods as, “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.
What You Can Do
Malnutrition or undernutrition can cause a specific problem or completely suppress a bird’s immune system. To prevent or reverse malnutrition a parrot or finch must eat the proper balance of nutrients needed each day.
Even birds who have developed feather destruction behaviors respond well to being fed a balanced and wholesome food plan. Because feather destruction is a very complex condition, the only way to reverse it is to feed a combination of foods that provide balanced nutrition. Foods that provide all the hundreds of nutrients a parrot must eat everyday. Complete protein is vital for every cell in the body, and is an essential nutrient for reversing feather destruction behaviors. The specific formulation of our sprouting blends gives this much needed nutrient to your birds. After allowing our sprouting blends to grow for two to three days it provides essential nutrient missing in many other commonly fed foods.
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