Most complete pellet diets are designed to be at least 75% of the bird's food intake. It is incedibly rare for this to be the case. In fact a recent study in the USA highlighted that 98% of the pet birds studied were technically malnourished despite about half the birds in the survey being fed pellets.

So, if your bird is getting less than 75% pellets in the diet, supplement the non pellet part of the diet with Daily Essentials3 and Calcivet (CalciBoost).

You will use Calcivet (CalciBoost) once a week added to the pellets or any moist food like table scraps or fruit. For Eclectus parrots and African Greys we recommend twice a week. When egg laying commences this will increase to five times a week and continue at this level right through the breeding season.

The levels printed below are for diets with no pellets.  If half your birds diet is pellets use half the amount of supplement. 5 mls (one teaspoon) of Calcivet (CalciBoost) is enough for between 2.5 and 5 kgs of bird weight (5 -10 lbs).  This is about 80-160 canaries, 40-80 budgies, 20 -40 cockatiels, 6-12 greys/amazons or 2-5 large macaws. The reason for the broad range is because some diets (and tap waters) are much higher in calcium than others so some people will be able to use the lower doses. Others will need the higher dose.

Most people will use Daily Essentials3 as their basic supplement.  As its name indicated it should be added to the pellets or a moist food every day. 3.5 grams (one level teaspoon) is enough for 60 canaries, 40 budgerigars, 24 cockatiels, 12 greys/amazons, 8 large macaws. Pro rata these amounts depending on the amount of pellet your bird is eating.

In the UK we recommend seed and supplements diets for breeders and for your pet bird.

It is a good practice to give your birds a regular probiotic. Once or twice a week for non-breeding birds. More for breeders. BioPlu s can be to the pellets and is added at the rate of 5 grams (one level teaspoon) to 500 grams (1 lb) of pellets. For breeders Potent Brew is even more effective and is added to the pellets at the rate of 5 mls (one level teaspoon) for 120 canaries, 80 budgerigars, 50 cockatiels, 24 greys/amazons, 16 large macaws. Note that Potent Brew has a 3-4 month shelf life so should be purchased in small quantities.

For the maximum protection against infection you may wish to give your birds our herbal supplement Flourish.

We would strongly recommend you add the water sanitiser Aviclens (Saniclens) to your birds' drinking water to prevent the build up of harmful germs. Many diseases are spread from bird to bird through the water.

For information about breeding diets for you birds click this link.

A better understanding of the function of different nutrients and their role in maintaining health and stimulating breeding, growth and feathering can be found by reading our Nutrition Articles .

For information about the many unique and innovative ingredients we use in our product and why we believe they are sthe best supplements in the world read our Innovations page .