Ingredients (Of BirD-elicious!)
Within this section of The BEST Bird Food™ Blog I will attempt to explain why I use the ingredients I use in our foods, what each ingredient adds to the nutrition of the total, overall product and how it benefits the health and nutrition of your bird.
This will be an ongoing, work in progress, so please know that what you read on this page will never be a total and completed project. As new research information comes across my desk, the ingredient listing on this page will change to reflect that new research information once I have sufficient evidence to convince me that information is credible enough to utilize in our species-specific foods.
I will attempt to explain why I chose to use those ingredients along with the nutritional reasons and the benefits the parrots receive from those ingredients. Basically, my reason for choosing those ingredients, and purposely formulating them into our foods, is for the strict reason of providing a sound and solid nutritional health benefit to the overall well-being of companion birds. I believe that a strong and healthy nutritional foundation helps to stave off disease as well as prevent poor emotional dispositions. After all, healthy nutrition, and a healthy body, (spirit, mind and body) is the body’s first line of defense against disease.
Each ingredient found in our food has its own special purpose, and that’s what I want to discuss and explore with you. I want you to leave this site with an in-depth, clear and concise understanding of what good, solid, sound and beneficial organic, whole-food nutrition is about. I want you to understand so that you will want to feed a wholesome diet to your companion bird. I want you to be excited about healthy nutrition. I want nutrition to be an adventure! Your bird depends on you. This means you have to care, not only for your bird, but yourself as well.
I will not be supplying the order of ingredients, nor the amount of ingredients in our foods for obvious legal, proprietary reasons. Our formulas are owned by our company, we hold the legal, proprietary rights to our formulations. Any person(s) or entity attempting to copy our formulations must be advised that we are the first, the only original BirD-elicious!™ species-specific bird foods using human-grade, organic ingredients to arrive on the market that tests our foods through the world renowned independent laboratory Eurofins Laboratories, Intl. known for meeting and exceeding industry standards. Any copy of our foods is just that, a mere sub-standard copy by someone that does not have any information regarding our custom processing methods making BirD-elicious!™ what it is, the purest, freshest hand-made and delicately dehydrated (in our custom made dehydrator) bird food on the market.
We use ONLY the BEST ingredients in our foods, human-grade, certified organic, and in the case of meal worms they are grown on human-grade foodstuffs. This is why you will pay more for our foods than any other bird food on the market. We are not ashamed of that fact because our foods are simply “The BEST Bird Food™”!
Please understand that ingredients are not necessarily listed in the order they are placed in our foods.
- Alfalfa: Known to be one of the most healthiest “tender greens” available, livestock producers use this green to raise their livestock when they want a balanced plant source of high quality protein in their animals’ diet regimen. Almost equal percentages of the amino acids “Arginine to Lysine”, the main building blocks of substantial protein, this is what we at The Best Bird Food™ believe to the best source of tender greens to add to our bird foods. New research data now indicates that it just may be one of the only sources of reliable plant sources of vitamin D3 which would make it a naturally occurring source of this fat soluble vitamin! If this proves to be true, with additional testing still needed, then for companion bird caregivers this means that we don’t have to worry quite as much about our birds receiving natural sunlight or full spectrum lighting. Yes, we will still need to provide one or both of those sources, but we will not have to worry quite as much. And the need for synthetic vitamin D3 will absolutely be eliminated therefore eliminating the potential of toxicity that leads to liver and kidney damage, not to mention over-absorption of protein leading to gout.
- CA-Montmorillonite Clay: The necessity for this very specific mineral source cannot be overstated in our exotic companion birds’ diets. It is absolutely impossible for our birds to extract enough minerals from the individual foodstuffs they consume. In the Wild many, many species of birds have been observed eating dirt and clay. At first it was believed they ate dirt and clay only to “adsorb” toxins from their system. While this is partly true, new research is now finding that birds have a high mineral intake need for specific functions. Minerals are needed for proper brain function and quick reflexes by controlling nerve impulses. They also help regulate the heart beat. But minerals help with skin regeneration, feather growth, as well as talon and beak condition as well. Just think if all of those individual body functions and body parts didn’t receive the minerals they need, think how ill the bird would become and all of the functions the bird could not perform. Huh, many of us experience the ill health of our own birds because of the lack of dense quality minerals in their diet. Take a look at your bird…are the feathers dull and brittle? Is your bird plucking and picking? Is your bird picking or mutilating its skin? Is your bird’s beak cracked or brittle? Are your bird’s talons flaky? Is the skin rough and cracking? All of this could be due to a lack of dense quality minerals. But like I said, a very specific kind of mineral needs to be fed and this is the CA-Montmorillonite Clay, not the white bentonite clay. This is the ONLY brand we use in our foods and you can obtain it here: California Earth Minerals.
- Meal Worms: A reliable source of “animal protein” similar to what our exotic companion birds might find in the Wild. With a protein percentage of about 20% to 50% depending on the size and whether you use live or dried, when combined with other foods the protein level decreases dramatically. You really have to understand the science of food combining in order to know accurately how much protein your bird is actually receiving when you feed meal worms independently from a pre-formulated food. In addition, the necessary amino acid “methionine” needs to be fed along with meal worms in order for the protein from the meal worms to be properly absorbed. Methionine is found in other food sources, but not abundant in meal worms. Again, this is where knowledge of food combining is essential. In addition to methionine, vitamin D3 and calcium is needed for the proper absorption of protein. And then the cascading effect, certain nutrients and proper organ functions are necessary for the absorption of those two vitamins and minerals. Again, the body is a synergistic/symbiotic machine requiring and relying on other bodily functions to operate at its peak performance. Protein is absolutely necessary for the regeneration of lean muscle tissue. Too often we think because our birds are not living in the Wild they don’t need lean muscle mass, not true. Their heart is a vital organ that needs to be kept fit and healthy. Without proper protein amounts and absorption their heart will waste away and develop fatty tissue around it if they are being fed foods that contribute to fat build up, like resistant starches found in pastas, breads, grains, beans and other legumes. Our birds need quality proteins and not just plant proteins, but animal protein they can digest, not meat; meat is too dense for their short digestive tract. They need high quality protein for more than muscle mass, they need it for proper feather, skin, talon and beak growth too. If your bird barbers, picks, plucks or mutilates, it is most likely extremely low on quality “animal” protein. There are only two sources of “animal” protein I rely on for our companion birds, insect/larvae/worm ( you can use earthworms, but I prefer meal worms) and one other source which I will discuss at a later date. (Note: Do not use insects/worms from your own lawn and garden. Even if you don’t use pesticides and chemical fertilizers, you don’t know how far that bug traveled to reach its destination. It may have come from your neighbor’s property and they may use chemicals in their lawn and garden that could potentially harm your bird. It’s better to purchase your bugs from a reputable online source that raises their bugs on human-grade foodstuffs.)
- Oregano: Oregano is a highly anti-oxidant herb that contains many volatile oils whose properties have many health benefits, one of which is to help rid the body of fungal infections such as candida albicans (yeast overgrowth). It also acts a natural preservative because of the volatile oils it contains. Some of the volatile oils contained in oregano are carvacrol, thymol, limonene, pinene, ocimene, and caryophyllene.
- The herb parts contain no cholesterol; helps to control blood cholesterol levels.
- Oregano contains many health benefiting essential oils such as carvacrol, thymol, limonene, pinene, ocimene, and caryophyllene. The leaves and flowering stems of the plant are strongly anti-septic, anti-spasmodic, carminative, cholagogue (help gall bladder secretion-in those exotic birds that have a gall bladder), diaphoretic (sweat production), expectorant, stimulant, and mildly tonic properties. Its decoction is taken orally for the treatment of mild fevers, indigestion, stomach upsets.
- Thymol is also been found to have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal activities.
- The herb is rich in poly-phenolic flavonoid anti-oxidants (vitamin A, carotenes, lutein, zea-xanthin and cryptoxanthin) and has been rated as one of the plant source with highest anti-oxidant activities. These compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease process.
- The active principles in the herb may increase the motility of the gastro-intestinal tract as well as increase the digestion power by increasing gastro-intestinal secretions.
- This exotic herb is an excellent source of minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron (total combined amounts in the overall formulated diet must be carefully considered), and magnesium. Potassium (total combined amounts in the overall diet must be carefully considered) is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure caused by high sodium. Manganese and copper are used (total combined amounts in the overall formulated diet must be carefully considered) by the body as co-factors for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron helps prevent anemia (total combined amounts in the overall formulated diet must be carefully considered). Magnesium and calcium are important minerals for bone metabolism.
- Fresh herb is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin, vitamin-C. Vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals.(Ref: http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/oregano.html)
- Rosemary: Rosemary is another highly anti-oxidant herb and natural preservative because of all of the volatile oils it contains such as cineol, camphene, borneol, bornyl acetate, α-pinene etc. These compounds are known to have rubefacient (counter-irritant), anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-fungal and anti-septic properties.
One of the key reasons we use rosemary in our formulations is because it has the unique ability to reduce the build up of nitric oxide in the blood system. Nitric oxide acts as an inflammatory to blood vessels, irritating them and causing them to vibrate and itch. A diet too rich in ingredients containing the amino acid arginine and Omega 6′s, something that is prevalent in many foods such as seeds, nuts and highly processed foods and even some dietary oils, will add to the inflammation of arteries and blood vessels as well as soft tissue. But consuming rosemary will help neutralize the nitric oxide.- Rosemary leaves provide just 131 calories per 100 g and contains no cholesterol.
- The herb is exceptionally rich in many B-complex group of vitamin, such as folic acid, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin. It is one of the herbs contain high levels of folates; providing about 109 mcg per 100 g (about 27% of RDA).
- Rosemary herb contains very good amounts of vitamin A, 2924 IU per 100 g; about 97% of RDA. A few leaves a day in the diet, would contribute enough of this vitamin. Vitamin A is known to have antioxidant properties and is essential for vision. It is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural foods rich in vitamin A is known to help body protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
- Fresh rosemary leaves are good source of antioxidant vitamin; vitamin-C containing about 22 mg per 100 g, about 37% of RDA. The vitamin is required for the collagen synthesis in the body. Collagen is the main structural protein in the body required for maintaining the integrity of blood vessels, skin, organs, and bones. Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body protect from scurvy; develop resistance against infectious agents (boosts immunity) and help scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals fro the body.
- Rosemary herb parts, whether fresh or dried, are rich source of minerals like potassium (total combined amounts in the overall formulated diet must be carefully considered), calcium, iron (total combined amounts in the overall formulated diet must be carefully considered), manganese, copper (total combined amounts in the overall formulated diet must be carefully considered), and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, which helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.
- This herb is an excellent source of iron, contains 6.65 mg/100 g of fresh leaves (about 83% of RDA). Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, determines the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.(Ref: http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/rosemary-herb.html)
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Machelle, are you currently doing nutritional consultations? What do you require when doing this? Bloodwork? If so what type? Is the 75.00 fee a typical fee or does it typically go beyond this?
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*Comments made by the readers of The Best Bird Food are the express viewpoints and the sole responsibility of the readers themselves and are not endorsed in any way by any of our authors or the “Blog” itself.
Hi De!
Yes, I do nutritional consults on a regular basis. It all depends on the types of problems the companion bird is experiencing. If the caregiver of said bird just wants to make sure that their bird has a good, complete all around diet then the $75.00 fee is usually enough to cover the consult. But if the bird is experiencing health problems and I have to formulate a special diet for the bird then the fee rises in relation to the amount of research and emails I have to complete in the process of formulating that special diet. Blood work/feces samples report is helpful, but not always required. However, in the case of an ill bird I will ask for the most current blood work/feces sample report so that I have some kind of background information from which to draw the most amount of helpful and credible research into the bird’s specific problems.
Thanks for asking! Let me know if I can be of any help!
Machelle
I so hope you find a way to make your food again. My grey has not been the same since.
Seriously went on food strike. It’s sad.
*Comments made by the readers of The Best Bird Food are the express viewpoints and the sole responsibility of the readers themselves and are not endorsed in any way by any of our authors or the “Blog” itself.
Hi Susan!
It is our sincere desire and intention to bring our foods back, and even a better version since new research information has been uncovered.
Our “way back” is hopefully going to be through the sale of our toy line. There is a poll on our blog site, just scroll down and let us know if you would be willing to purchase our toys, hopefully you remember them, the Rain Forest Foragers (TM) and our edible toys from the Beakery (TM).
Bringing our toys back and selling them will provide a foundation of capital to fund what we need to begin producing the food once more!
Thank you for compliment, support and encouraging words!
Machelle
I was soooo excited to see Birdelicious in my inbox this afternoon. Ms Allie will be so excited to see the green bag again. Will go check out the toy line to see how we can help fund the come back.
*Comments made by the readers of The Best Bird Food are the express viewpoints and the sole responsibility of the readers themselves and are not endorsed in any way by any of our authors or the “Blog” itself.
Hi Debbie…and Ms Allie!
We are VERY excited too! We are eager to get re-started making our enrichment toys…and down the line all of our wonderful foods…the new and improved versions…after all of the new research information we have performed!
We plan on beginning on the toys right after the beginning of the new year and listing them for sale on our new toy site at http://www.TheBestBirdToys.com so stay tuned!
In the meantime please catch up on the new nutritional information we are providing on our new blog right here! We are really excited about this new information. It’s going to really revolutionize the parrot food industry even more than before! In addition, we have even more hope for feather pluckers and skin mutilators than ever!
Thank you for stopping by and signing up to receive more educational materials! We look forward to more contact with you and Ms Allie!
Warmly,
Machelle
I tried to take the ingredients you had on your bags for eclectus and make my own. I am the first to say I am not very good in the kitchen. My birds didnt think so either. Really would like even a close receipe . My ekkie NEVER looked so good as in the short 4 months that I found your product. Right now he looks …not so good. And my breeding macaws look really tattered too. Also Same as what the other people said about how happy mentally my birds were on your product. And I was happy because all of a sudden the ekkies just gleamed. The male ekkie I have had for 20 years and he NEVER looked so good EVER..not even when he was a 3 month old baby when I bought him. Really really miss you. I live in Yuma az..you had stated once that you may relocate to AZ. I would help with ? Property is cheap in Yuma. Well anyway I was watching tv and just thought I would cruz the web and see if I could find you…hoping you had popped back up to make bird food. There truly is nothing like what you guys produced. Sorry for rambling…but I dont think you realize how important birdelious was to us bird families. Best regards Carolyn Knowlton
*Comments made by the readers of The Best Bird Food are the express viewpoints and the sole responsibility of the readers themselves and are not endorsed in any way by any of our authors or the “Blog” itself.
Hi Carolyn,
It’s so VERY good to hear from you. I know who you are! I remember you well!
Thank you so very much for all of the good words you have said about our foods. We truly do believe in the foods we produced for companion birds.
Although I don’t think we ever realized how much of an impact we made on the bird community overall, even though that’s what we set out to do.
Regarding re-starting our business, we have ideas rolling around in our heads. But nothing seems to be solidifying as of yet…
My Very Best to you and your birds,
Machelle
I agree, my birdies are not as healthy as previously when feeding your food. Can you hire soneone to do it?
*Comments made by the readers of The Best Bird Food are the express viewpoints and the sole responsibility of the readers themselves and are not endorsed in any way by any of our authors or the “Blog” itself.
Hi Cheryl,
Good to hear from you again.
I had an employee producing our food before we abruptly closed.
Unfortunately there was more behind closing our business than just the production of our foods.
I was working 16-17 hours a day just trying to keep up with the overall business, office, writing, website, customer queries, etc.
In addition, I have a legal disability and it was getting worse, especially because of the parrot dust.
Now, in order to re-start the business, a huge amount of funds would be required. In this economy???
Have any ideas? I’m listening.
Machelle
Machelle, I want to buy your BirD-elicious again!! I do hope you are still making some? Wow, we so need to get back in touch!
*Comments made by the readers of The Best Bird Food are the express viewpoints and the sole responsibility of the readers themselves and are not endorsed in any way by any of our authors or the “Blog” itself.
Unfortunately, do to the economic situation in the Nation, and my health, no, we are not producing our foods. So sorry.
Hey, I am going to provide a link to your Naturopathic website, http://www.animalnaturopathy.org/ on my blog. -I just have to find a place for it!
Machelle
Can you give me a recipe for the Grey basic food? She has never been as well or happy with any other food and I’d love to make her some like you used to make, just for us.
*Comments made by the readers of The Best Bird Food are the express viewpoints and the sole responsibility of the readers themselves and are not endorsed in any way by any of our authors or the “Blog” itself.
Because our recipes are basically intellectual, copyrighted property, and we hold proprietary legal rights to them, no, we cannot give out the recipes. However, that being said, I will be discussing the ingredients of all species specific recipes on our blog. I cannot say when I will get to your specific species, but I will be discussing the general diets of parrots as well as the specific diets of each species. You may want to subscribe to the blog and stay tuned. Thank you for your kind words and your ongoing interest! I really appreciate your loyalty.