In this part, Part 4, on the series on Tummyrite™ I discuss the importance and use of key nutrients, provided in Tummyrite™, to help correct major nutrient deficiencies and enhance the health and wellbeing of birds.
AMINO ACIDS
Tummyrite™ contains a number of additional critical essential amino acids such as DL-Methionine and L-lysine and more. Our high quality protein source which contains a range of peptides and nucleotides provides a range of essential and non-essential amino acids important to the maintenance of tissues, good growth and egg production for breeding birds.
Methionine and Lysine are particularly important for birds going through the moult and for feather replacement and quality. These are specifically added to make up for the deficiencies in these essential amino acids not present in many grains fed to birds.
Some noticeable changes that bird breeder have seen after using Tummyrite™ for while is the significant improvement in feather development and quality. This is particularly noticeable in birds going through the moult. Recovery after the moult is quicker and the strength of feathering is much improved. The feather colours are also more vivid.
VITAMINS
Tummyrite™ contains a full range of vitamins at levels to meet the daily requirements of birds and to maintain their good health and breeding. Tummyrite™ products include Vitamin A (Retinol), Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol), Vitamin D as 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, Vitamin E (d-α-tocopherol), Vitamin K3 (Menadione), Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid), Vitamin B6, (Pyridoxine), Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin), Biotin, Folic Acid, Choline.
Note: Tummyrite™, when fed at the recommended rate, provides a full complement of vitamins and trace mineral to meet the daily requirements of birds. No additional vitamins or trace minerals are required under normal conditions.
TRACE MINERALS
A full range of trace minerals, again at levels to meet the daily requirements of birds and to maintain good health and breeding. Tummyrite™ products include Cobalt, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Zinc, Organic Selenium.
MAJOR MINERALS AND ELECTROLYTES
Tummyrite™ Plus is Tummyrite™ with added major minerals and includes Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Magnesium. If you are not already providing adequate calcium and electrolytes to your birds then you should consider Tummyrite™ Plus.
CAROTENOIDS
Whilst pigments (carotenoids) are usually used for colouring egg yolks in poultry and the skin of poultry meat birds, carotenoids play an essential role in reproduction and breeding of many animals, including mammals, fish and birds. For breeding and show birds, carotenoids are important for successful breeding.
The yellow, orange and red feather colour of passerine birds are developed from carotenoids derived from the diet. Different bird species differ in their genetic ability to metabolise dietary carotenoids. In many instances, changes in plumage colour occurs only in new growth feathering.
After the moult when birds are shedding and re-growing new feathers, carotenoids ingested by the birds are incorporated into the new plumage.
Plumage colouration in some species is particularly important in the courtship and mating rituals and can influence pairing of birds prior to breeding and mate selection.
Carotenoids have also been shown to help birds develop immunity and are also strong antioxidants which help to neutralise free radicals from metabolism reactions in the body. Excessive free radicals can damage sensitive mucous membranes and tissues in the body leaving the bird susceptible to disease challenges.
Carotenoids can be divided into 2 categories.
- Carotenes (α-carotenes and β-carotenes)
- Xanthophylls (lutein, zeaxanthin, capsanthin)
Carotenoids in the free form (i.e. non-esterified) are more bioavailable to the birds for absorption than esterified forms. Carotenoids in Tummyrite™ are in free form (>95%).
Tummyrite™ contains both natural yellow and natural red pigments. Our natural yellow pigments are predominantly lutein and zeaxanthin derived from marigold flowers. Our natural red pigments are capsanthin and capsrubin derived from paprika.
NUCLEOTIDES
Nucleotides are the building blocks that are necessary for making new DNA and RNA.
The double-helix of DNA is a very large molecule that makes up the genes and chromosomes found in us all. The rungs of the DNA ladder are made of a combination of two different nucleotides. The nucleotides are molecules, called guanosine and cytosine, that pair up together, or adenosine and thymidine, which also pair up together. Adenosine and guanosine are called purines. Cytosine, thymidine and uridine are called pyrimidines.
Nucleotides are molecules that are essential to the creation of new DNA and RNA molecules which are then used by new cells of all kinds. This is important because nucleotides, either by themselves, or in combination with other molecules, are involved in almost all activities of the cell (and therefore, the body).
Nucleotides are essential for cell replacement of all types on a daily basis. Nucleotides are also essential for the proper functioning of the immune system, for cell repair after injury or disease and for helping prevent disease.
Birds cannot produce their full requirement of nucleotides (purines) and therefore must derive additional nucleotides from the diet. Some components of the TummyRite™ products contain an abundant amount of nucleotides. The birds fed on Tummyrite™ ingest, absorb and utilize all the nucleotides.
By supplying abundant nucleotides, the immune system will be able to function at peak efficiency, the liver will be better able to repair itself after insult from toxins (for example, from mycotoxins found in grains), and other tissues will be able to repair themselves after injury.
Other research has shown:
- An increased resistance to challenge to bacterial and viral infections,
- An acceleration of antibody production
- An increase in white blood cells called neutrophils and an increase in the number of macrophages.
- Reversal of malnutrition and starvation-induced immunosuppression
- Increase in natural killer (NK) cell activity and interleukin-2 production
- Increase of plasma HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol)
- Decrease in the concentration of LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol)
- Faster recovery of the liver after injury
- Positive effects on the intestines
- Intestinal repair after diarrhoea
- Positive effects of recovery from stress
In the next part, part 5, of the series on Tummyrite™ I introduce the three-way mode of action of the Yeast Functional Fibres in Tummyrite™ products and their impact an on bird health and wellbeing.