the importance of
self care

Why is Sunlight Important?

While the main benefit of sunlight  (ultraviolet light) is to stimulate Vitamin D production, it also has many other benefits (for birds and humans, alike!) like regulating sleep cycles and mood, boosting immune function, lowering blood pressure and killing off potential bacteria and pathogens which cause infections. Modern homes with darkened windows can make it challenging to ensure your parrot is receiving adequate ​vitamin D to metabolise the calcium they are consuming in their diet. The absorbed sunlight then converted to a useable form within the liver and kidneys. Unfortunately, direct or indirect sunlight through glass windows blocks most of the UVB rays, but still allows 45-75% UVA rays to pass through. The best way to absorb Vitamin D and UV rays is always going to be through direct sunlight. 

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What is Vitamin D?

​Vitamin D is a vitamin that is absorbed in sunlight through the skin, an essential process which regulates calcium production and immune function. It acts like a hormone which helps cells and organs to function properly, and is required to absorb other nutrients essential for growing and maintaining healthy bones (such as phosphorous and calcium). Without a healthy level of Vitamin D and calcium, your parrots bones can become weak and brittle, and start negatively affecting their blood health too (red blood cells are produced in the red bone marrow, liver and spleen). 

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​Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency is a very serious issue which should be dealt with promptly before it becomes potentially fatal. Some symptoms that may indicate your bird is not getting enough Vitamin D include weak bones (increased risk of fractures and subsequent difficulty healing), flakey and damage to beaks, reduced feather quality (thin, dull), difficulty perching, lethargy and unwillingness to explore their cage, and thinner shelled eggs in hens. In severe cases there is risk of paralysis and death. 

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What is Calcium?

When we consider calcium, we often think of bones and teeth. But calcium also plays an important role in many other bodily functions as well, like contracting muscles and making sure blood vessels contract properly. While most of a parrot's calcium is stored within the skeletal long bones, a small amount is also found in the bloodstream and muscles. Birds generally have a higher calcium percentage found in the muscles compared to mammals to account for the need for flight and higher metabolism.

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Sources of calcium include supplements (liquid or powder, see below for product recommendations), pumice perches (chalky, not sandpaper ones), dark leafy green vegetables (such as kale, spinach, mustard greens, pak choy), cuttlefish bones and fortified pellets. However, you can be providing enough dietary calcium but still be causing a deficiency if your parrot does not have access to sunlight in order to metabolise the calcium they have consumed. Prevention is most definitely better than the cure.

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Symptoms of Calcium Deficiency

When we think of calcium deficiency, two things often come to mind: egg binding and osteoporosis (break down of internal bone structure reducing bone density). It presents itself in systems related to bone and muscle function; issues with flight and coordination, weakness and abnormality in perching stance, seizures and altered mood (aggressive behaviour). A hen which is egg bound lacks the appropriate level of calcium in the muscles to contract and expel the egg, and if not treated urgently will lead to death.

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​UVB/UVA/Full Spectrum Lighting Kits

In places that have less access to natural sunlight, like longer winters or inclement weather, another option is to use Full Spectrum UV Bird Lighting. They work by emitting UVA and UVB rays which can be absorbed by your bird through the cage, however they are not as strong as natural sunlight. There is conflicting information online as to the required distance from light to bird to actually be making enough of a difference. There are also reports of the bright lighting causing cataracts in birds as well, which proves this new innovation requires a lot more research before committing to. The best solution to this issue is simply to schedule time into your life to give your bird access to natural sunlight each week. 

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Walks and Outdoor Time​​

​Ideally, your parrot should receive a minimum of 15 minutes of direct outdoor sunlight 3 times a week. If worked into your routine it can provide a great opportunity for bonding and trust building. It is important not to leave them unattended outdoors without adequate protection from predators (hawks and butcherbirds will pull them through the cage bars, snakes, etc), but here are some ideas for getting more sunshine with your bird:

• Sitting outside in the morning/afternoon in a small carry cage, paired with a tasty snack while you have your cuppa

• Going for a walk outside in a backpack (cloth ones are best, that aren't darkened), or even sitting in a small cage while you are in the garden

• An outdoor aviary or patio aviary - be mindful of transfers to avoid escapes or consider adding a double door system (examples: VidaXL, EasyShed, AviOne, VidaXL etc)

• Either stand alone or enclosed into existing structure (eg: Catnets, I would recommend the reinforced stainless steel version)

• Small aviary or cage attached to side of the house with window access, easy to pop bird through safely, or one of the aviary systems above secured to the house exit so you can sit in there with them (easy to purchase materials like welded sheet mesh from Bunnings)

• wheeling cage outside - secure all doors with clips, remove external feeders like Seed Mates/acrylic box feeders and water baths. 

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Supplements

We recommend you add a supplement once or twice a week to your bird's diet, to ensure you are covering the dietary need for vitamin D and calcium. These can be found in liquid or powder form, and some have additional vitamins and minerals which are a great supplement to a varied diet. Below are some easily obtainable products:

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Passwell Liquid Gold (liquid)

• Dosage: 20mL/L in drinking water, 40mL/kg of soaked seed or soft food, direct to beak dose 0.2mL/100g body weight (0.14mL for conures or 0.19mL for quakers 

• Active Ingredients: Calcium (Ca2+) 33g/L, Magnesium (Mg2+) 1.6g/L, Manganese (Mn2+) 100mg/L, Vitamin D3 25000iu/L, Lutein 50mg/L

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Vetafarm Soluvite D (powder)

• Dosage in water: 4g into 40mL of warm water (30°C – 40°C), stir well to dissolve. Then add the mixed 40mL solution to 360mL of drinking water. Prepared water should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Use as the sole source of water and prepare fresh solution daily.

• Dosage in food: Sprinkle 4g of Soluvite D onto 4 cups of food and combine well.

• Active Ingredients: Vitamin A 1,000,000 IU, Vitamin D3 250,000 IU, Vitamin E 2,500 IU, Vitamin K 2,000mg, Niacin 5,000mg, Pantothenic Acid 1,242mg, Riboflavin 1,200mg, Thiamine 470mg, Pyridoxine 400mg, Cyanocobalamin (B12) 5mg, Folic Acid 225mg, Choline Bitartrate 40mg, Biotin 10mg, Iodine 200mg

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Vetafarm Calcivet (liquid)

• Dosage: 5mL per 250mL water (1 tsp per cup), 5mL/1 cup soaked seed or soft food, direct to beak 0.2mL (4 drops) per 100g body weight

• Active Ingredients: Calcium 33g, Vitamin D3 25000 IU

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Vetafarm D Nutrical (powder)

• Use twice weekly for maintenance and daily during breeding.

• Introductory Dosage: Start with a dose of 5g per kg of feed and gradually increase to 20g over 6 feeds.

• Maintenance Dosage: Add 20g per kg of food to boost active calcium levels.

• Active Ingredients: 310mg Calcium (31%), Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, D3, and E, Phosphorus, Sodium, Iodine, Potassium, Iron, Cobalt, Copper, Magnesium and Manganese.

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Calcivite Plus (liquid)

• Dosage: 5–10ml per 1L of drinking water

• Active Ingredients: TBA

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