Technical
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF AVIAN NUTRITION – BALANCING THE PROTEIN QUALITY
Dr. Michael Evans
In this third article on protein, I am going to demonstrate how we deliver the correct amount of balanced protein daily to a show budgerigar at maintenance. Establishing the daily nutrient requirements of birds is an involved and complex process and will not be discussed in detail here. Applied Nutrition has used mathematical modelling to establish the amino acid requirements of budgerigars, parrots, finches, canaries, and pigeons and used these amino acid requirements generated by these models to develop the balanced protein in their protein supplement products Prosperity™ and StartRite™. Applied Nutrition has also used modelling to determine the level...
FUNDAMENTALS OF AVIAN NUTRITION - WHAT IS PROTEIN QUALITY?
Dr. Michael Evans
This my second article on protein and is about defining the importance protein quality and establishing the balanced protein requirements of birds. The capacity of the bird to use dietary protein as a source of amino acids and nitrogen is influenced by the digestibility and the quality of protein presented to the bird from the diet. THE THEORY OF AMINO ACID BALANCE What is meant by protein quality? A good quality dietary protein is one that can provide the bird with all the essential amino acids in the correct relative quantities to meet the bird’s daily requirement for essential amino...
FUNDAMENTALS OF AVIAN NUTRITION - WHAT IS PROTEIN AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Dr. Michael Evans
This article is one of three articles on protein and its importance in avian nutrition. This first article is about establishing what protein is and its importance in avian nutrition. The second article is about defining the importance protein quality and establishing the balanced protein requirements of birds and the third article is about how do we deliver the correct amount of balanced protein to birds daily. Protein is a familiar term used in society in general to describe a component of food or feed that is important for healthy living and growth. However, protein is not a single nutrient...
GIZZARD IMPACTION – CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS
Bird Nutrition Canaries Feeding Gizzard Impaction Seed Mixes
Dr. Michael EvansI was recently called out by a very experienced Canary Breeder to investigate a situation where he was losing his young canary chicks after they had fledged, and after they were placed in a separate cage facility. It was apparent from the condition of these birds that they were “going light”, looked ill thrifty and some were dying. I had a look at his feed and found that there were components in there that were totally inappropriate for passerine birds such as canaries. There was a large amount of fibrous ingredients in the diet and some very large seeds, such...
PROSPERITY™ - MORE THAN JUST A REPLACEMENT FOR EGG AND BISCUIT
Dr. Michael Evans
I have been talking to several bird breeders over the last few weeks and it seems there is some confusion about what sort of supplement is PROSPERITY™. For many years the historical term “Egg and Biscuit” has been used for a very digestible mixture suitable for breeding birds who in turn feed this mixture to their chicks. The egg is represented as the high protein component, a highly digestible ingredient for young birds that need this high protein during the early stages of their growth and development. Similarly, the biscuit component is the highly digestible carbohydrate and fat component, again...