Vitamins for Birds' Feathers

You are what you eat. That old saw holds true for birds. Insufficient nutrients can cause poor feather growth and other problems. A balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, grains and seeds helps, offering plenty of vitamins. Birds with seed-based diets are at greater risk of nutrient deficiencies, since seeds lack certain vitamins. Learn to monitor feather health and strive to give your bird the nutrition she needs to remain healthy.

  1. Vitamins for Feather Health

    • Vitamin A plays an interesting role in bird behavior toward feathers: Lack of sufficient vitamin A in an avian diet can cause a bird to pluck out her feathers. Adding vitamin A to your bird's diet may change this behavior; however, some birds pluck their feathers for psychological reasons. If your bird's feathers are breaking off, a deficiency in pantothenic acid -- better known as vitamin B5 -- may be the cause. A lack of vitamin B2 can cause feathers to lose color in some birds. Fresh vegetables such as kale, carrots and red bell peppers are natural sources of these vitamins.

    Minerals for Feather Health

    • Minerals play a large role in bird health, too -- birds need mineral-rich diets to maintain optimal health. But only a couple of minerals directly affect avian feathers. Lack of adequate niacin and zinc can negatively impact the growth and appearance of bird feathers.

    Does My Bird Need a Supplement?

    • If your bird needs a specific vitamin or mineral, she'll typically show signs. A bird without adequate vitamin A will have shiny pink feet. A bird without adequate zinc or niacin will display poor feather growth. Lack of niacin also causes twisted or bowed legs. If you have concerns about bird health, including feather health, schedule an avian vet appointment. Your vet can inspect your bird and provide health advice, including suggestions about vitamins and minerals. Don't introduce any supplement to your birds' diets without consulting a vet.

    Supplements

    • While you can increase the amount of grains and vegetables your bird eats -- especially if you feed a seed-based diet -- avian vitamins offer a convenient way to increase nutrients. Mix the supplements with moist food, in which they will stick. Avoid putting vitamins in with seeds or with water, since the bird may not ingest them. Avoid overfeeding your bird vitamins or minerals, since this can be fatal, the Virginia Cooperative Extension warns. Follow the dosage amounts on the vitamins, which vary by bird size.