Adding supplements to seed is not very reliable. Most falls to the bottom of the seed container and much of what does stick is discarded when the husk is removed. You have come to this page because your bird is eating some food every day that we can use to deliver the supplements effectively. This is much better than adding to supplements to the water. For an explanation of the pros and cons of in-food and in-water supplements please follow this link then return to this page with the back button or the navigation bar to the left.

On this page we assume that your birds are getting a suitable food (carrier food) for you to use to deliver the supplements. This will probably be a commercial or home-made eggfood - we recommend our Feast, fruits and vegetables or "table foods" like cooked meat, bread etc. For non breeding birds you will need two supplements - Calcivet (CalciBoost) and one of the Essentials products listed below. Indicative dose rates can be applied to other species on the basis of size.

You will use Calcivet (CalciBoost) once a week added to the carrier food. 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. 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 carrier food every day. 3.5 grams (one level teaspoon) is enough for 60 canaries, 40 budgerigars, 24 cockatiels, 12 greys/amazons, 8 large macaws. If your birds are getting significant quantities of pulses (peas and beans) in their diet then they will benefit from the extra amino acids in Daily Essentials3.

For very large collections you may like to try BirdPark Essentials instead. This new product is 5.6 times the strength of Daily Essentials3 and has the added advantage of containing our "Flourish" herbal ingredients for even better protection against disease. 3.5 grams (one level teaspoon) is enough for 340 canaries, 225 budgerigars, 130 cockatiels, 70 amazons/greys, 44 large macaws.

It is a good practice to give your birds a regular probiotic. Once or twice a week for non-breeding birds. More for breeders. BioPlus can be used in the soft food and is added at the rate of 5 grams (one level teaspoon) to 500 grams (1 lb) of soft food. For breeders Potent Brew is even more effective and is added to the softfood 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 people wanting to give their birds the maximum protection against infections you may wish to give them Flourish .

We recommend Feast eggfood because of its high palatability and extra herbal nutricines for excellent health of chicks and adults.

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 products and why we believe they are the best supplements in the world read our Innovations page.