Trace minerals and inorganic elements are lacking in a variety of avian diets. Diets that consist of seeds and grains (especially oily ones) are deficient in calcium and have a low ratio of calcium to phosphorus. The oils in these seeds may bind calcium in the intestine to form insoluble "soaps", which prevent its absorption. Due to the high grain diet most birds are fed, the most common mineral disorders in birds are calcium and phosphorus deficiencies/imbalances.

Calcium is the chief mineral constituent of the body and of the whole egg. It is required in the diet in larger amounts than any other mineral. Calcium is essential for the mineralization of the skeleton and if insufficient calcium and/or phosphorus is absorbed from the intestine, bone development will be abnormal in young birds (rickets) or extremely fragile, thus likely to easily fracture. Calcium is also required for muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and considerably important in many metabolic processes in the body.

Calcium metabolism by the body is linked to phosphorus and vitamin D, so that adequate amounts of these nutrients are necessary for proper utilization of calcium. Calcium and phosphorus are in equilibrium in the body at a ratio of 2:1. The optimal ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the diet should be between 1:1 and 2:1. An excess of either calcium or phosphorus can lead to metabolic bone disease so supplementation must be done with care. Vitamin D3 is essential for the absorption of calcium into the bloodstream from the intestinal tract.

As mentioned earlier, low calcium is a common problem seen in birds due to poor diets rich in fatty seeds/grains. In an effort to overcome this, many bird owners/breeders supplement, but more often than not do so improperly. Some give their birds ground up calcium tablets but as you can now surmise this is incorrect as without the proper amount of phosphorus this could lead to hypophosphatemia (low blood phosphorus) and resultant bone disease. High calcium in the diet can cause other problems. Young, growing birds fed high calcium diets can develop kidney problems with resultant kidney failure and mineralization/gout. High calcium levels without increased levels of manganese and zinc will interfere with absorption of these trace elements.

If you provide too much phosphorus in the diet, low calcium will result. Excess phosphorus in the diet will bind with calcium in the intestine to form an insoluble chemical calcium phosphate. The phosphorus is still absorbed but low blood calcium results.

A dangerous development we have seen lately is oversupplementation of some commercial diets with vitamin D3 due to improper formulations. Nutritionists recognize the need for vitamin D3 for calcium absorption from the intestine, however, the levels needed have not been clearly defined. So on occasion, unfortunately, some diets have contained too much vitamin D3 with the resultant effect of kidney mineralization due to increased calcium absorption. With the development of better diets and active research this problem has not occurred in commercial diets as frequently. The problem now is overzealous addition of vitamin D3 by well-meaning pet owners and breeders.

How do we make sure that we can provide adequate mineral supplementation but not cause deleterious effects? Provide a nutritionally complete and balanced diet, either home-made or commercial, such as pellets. If your birds are seed eaters, periodically provide a balanced calcium/phosphorus/vitamin D3 supplement such as Osteoform or D-Ca-Phos. Be very careful when supplementing young birds. Most commercial diets (hand-feeding) possess adequate levels of these elements so adding additional amounts, unless absolutely indicated, could lead to mineralization of their kidneys. Other sources of minerals that have been shown to be safe for birds include; mineral blocks, cuttlebones, crushed oyster shells, eggshells (make sure they are not raw due to the risk of Salmonellosis), bone/bone marrow, milk and cheese. We most often see calcium deficiencies in large birds because mineral blocks/cuttlebones are not used and other sources of minerals are not provided.

Hopefully this discussion has not frightened you but it does emphasize the need for providing a balanced diet as well as rational supplementation. Proper nutrition is of tantamount importance in pet birds!

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