An Overview of Pet Bird Nutrition

The clinically ill bird is often presented to the avian veterinarian with a variety of signs that are often vague. They include lethargy, weight loss, poor feathering, and loss of condition. The avian practitioner at this time begins to take a history and do a physical examination. In reaching a good definitive diagnosis, one aspect of avian disease is often overlooked. Improper nutrition is one of the most prevalent problems in avian medicine today. The practitioner must realize that a particular disease may be the result of a nutritional defi-ciency. Proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals are essential elements in the diet of a healthy bird. When a deficiency occurs, the body's ability to resist disease is damaged. Nutritiona