Parrots fed good quality pellets do not need to be given supplements and vitamins. The only exception is for calcium. Calcium must be given to all parrots in a separate container and parrots intuitively consume as much as they need.
It is not recommended to sprinkle or drip calcium supplements on the food/granules as the parrots must be able to intuitively regulate the amount of calcium they receive. Otherwise hyper-calcaemia is possible. In nature, this is what happens, and parrots start to eat more calcium-rich foods when calcium is needed.
Calcium is a key mineral in the body of birds. The needs for this element depend on the species of parrot and its physiological state. Calcium deficiency in parrots can lead to shivering, convulsions and mortality.
Calcium supplementation is essential:
Hatching females, as large amounts of calcium in the female’s body are used to produce the eggshell. If the female does not get the right amount of calcium in her diet, the shell may become deformed or soft, and the egg may become means frequent egg-laying.
For the young, because their growth rate is very high, their skeleton develops very quickly. Therefore, if the chicks are fed by their parents, their diet must contain a higher amount of calcium than normal. This is due to the fact that African grey parrots live in open areas and receive large amounts of UV light.
The latter is involved in the synthesis of vitamin D, and vitamin D is important for calcium metabolism. For example, Amazon parrots, which come from humid rainforests, do not need such high levels of calcium, as they are adapted to the lower levels of UV light they receive and the correspondingly lower levels of vitamin D and calcium.
For parrots whose main diet consists of seed mixtures. Such diets contain too much fat, which interferes with calcium absorption.
Bulk calcium supplements are the most convenient
Which parrots do not need calcium supplements?
Those that receive UV light for at least 3 – 6 hours/week. Good for calcium absorptionvitamin D and UV rays are important. In summer, make the most of the sunshine by taking the parrot’s cage outside or the parrot itself outside on a leash. Of course, protect the parrot from overheating.
Not all products high in calcium are suitable as calcium supplements, as other substances or minerals in them interfere with calcium absorption. For example, spinach and almonds contain a lot of calcium but it is difficult to absorb. It is therefore best to give calcium supplements specifically for parrots. Calcium supplements that are not poured/sprinkled on the food or in the water, but given in a separate container, are the most suitable. The parrots will then consume as much calcium as they need without overdosing.
The safest calcium supplements are those that are given separately and not sprinkled on the food or in the water. We recommend the use of PSITTACUS calcium supplements. It is also important to know that the cage of small and medium-sized parrots should always contain sand.