Dear Parrots magazine,
Probiotics and lifespans
I’m writing in response to EB Craven’s letter regarding non GMO avian specific probiotics in last Parrots ‘Letters’ (August 151). First, I want to thank EB for adding additional information regarding another non GMO avian specific probiotic available on the market. In hindsight, my statement in my column should have read, “ Avi-Culture is the only non GMO avian specific probiotic on the market my research uncovered.”
The only way myself, or others will know if a product is non GMO is, to first ask if the item is a certified USDA organic product. As one of the definitions of a product being a USDA Certified (or other certified) Organic product, is that they must be made from non GMO ingredients. China Prairie is not a USDA Certified Organic company. Secondly, if a company’s products are not certified organic - but they are made from non GMO ingredients, and if the company considers non GMO a valuable quality, it would be advantageous for them to state this. Otherwise, without this company statement, no-one will know. This statement is not present in the readily available information from China Prairie.Although I endeavour to thoroughly research the topics I write about, without EB’s added effort, myself, or anyone else, had no way of knowing this little known fact about this avian specific probiotic.
Also, if I could also add a comment regarding the Turquoisine/Budgerigar life span, also in Parrots ‘Letters’ (August 151). Another primary cause of a bird’s short life span is malnutrition. Ending avian malnutrition is one of the reasons for my book, “The Complete Guide to Successful Sprouting for Parrots”, my USDA Certified Organic Sprouting Blends that provide complete protein from plant sources and my holistic work with birds. I have never taken care of Turquoisine parakeets, but I have cared for Budgerigars. To read that a budgerigar’s life span in captivity, is half that of a Turquoisine, being 6 to 7 years, is alarming. My precious budgie, Tweety, passed away at nearly 12 years of age. I acquired Tweety shortly after he was weaned. After his passing, one of the avian vets that helped me with him explained that budgies in the wild can live up to 35 years. A limited gene pool in captivity, and limited opportunities for adequate exercise, are both factors that also effect a bird’s life span. At least I can rest assured that providing Tweety the complete protein, sprout based diet that he received all his life with me, in conjunction with supervised free flying, were both factors contributing to the length of his life.
Leslie Moran, Nevada, USA