Vitamin D Requirements

Hi Sandee!
I had e-mailed you about my 4 month old parrotlet. She eats wholegrains, beans and lentils. Also sprouted seeds, and lots of veggies and some fruits in her diet. I provide her with Bee Pollen, spirulina and wheatgrass powder a couple times per week. I am also considering on giving free choice some dry lory powder for her. My question is, my parrotlet does not eat pellets, and only eats a bit of seed. I have heard of the importance of vitamin d3 in the diet. Should I be providing her with a supplement that contains vitamin d3. I don't want to be over supplementing her! Should I be supplementing? How much is too much? Does she need some vitamin D3? I do not provide artificial lighting for her. Hope you can explain the supplementation for her!
Thanks Sandee
Carol

Dear Carol:

For parrotlets that are breeding, the need for vitamin D is essential for the proper absorption of calcium in order to produce eggs. In pet birds, not so much. There is a lot of controversy over the efficiency of full spectrum lighting, however, it will not hurt your bird if you provided it so long as it isn’t too close to the cage. You can also feed cooked egg yolk a couple of times a week. This will provide both protein and vitamin D. Neither of these methods would be harmful since they are natural sources of vitamin D.

Hope this helps!

Sincerely yours,

Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.