Zinc Oxide in food pellets - I thought zinc was evil

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

I was just checking the ingredients of a potential purchase and noticed that Hagen have Zinc (As Zinc Oxide) - 55mg/kg listed in the ingredients.
Is this a good or a bad thing?

[spiritbird]

ZINC OXIDE
Zinc oxide is a source of zinc, which is a fundamental element involved in skin health, and wound healing. Desitin is a zinc oxide use to prevent diaper rash and to heal minor skin irritations. Zinc oxide is used in animal feeds as a zinc supplement. Dr. D’s, Hagen, Harrisons hi-Protein, Kaytee Exact Rainbow, Lafebers, all Pretty Birds, Roudybush, Roudybush Rice, Zupreem Fruit Blend, Zupreem Natural


this is taken from Sally Blanchard's research [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

I see your item and raise you with [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

There is no zinc in the Harrisons complete diet that Casper has so not considered part of a complete diet.

[plax]

I see your item and raise you with [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks] actually checked into this concern several years ago. The answer given to me by some of the major bird food manufacturers, and one avian veterinarian, was essentially the same as the following excerpted statement from the article you've cited, Jean-Pierre...


Although a bird requires a certain amount of zinc to remain healthy, too much zinc is very dangerous and can cause degeneration in the liver, kidney and pancreas and even death.The thinking is that trace amounts of zinc oxide are beneficial to the health of our birds; whereas residue from galvanized metal surfaces may convey dangerously high levels of zinc to a bird's system. On the surface, it seems a contradiction for a bird food manufacturer to fortify their products with zinc, since zinc is a known toxin. The opposite is apparently true, however. Experts say that birds require trace amounts of zinc. A better question may be whether or not our birds might be getting trace amounts of zinc from sources other than fortified foods (e.g., from the fresh foods in their diets, and perhaps from various surfaces among their living environments which may contain very low levels of zinc, and so on)? If/when a bird gets enough trace levels of zinc from such routinely provided sources, the zinc oxide added to its commercially produced foods by manufacturers may in fact be unnecessary. But even still, I'm not sure that such added trace levels of zinc would be great enough to pose a health risk. Keeping an open mind, though, new information and opinions are always good to review :)

In any case, you've made a good observation and posed a great question, Jean-Pierre!

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Thanks Tony, I think I'll give the Hagen a swerve just to be on the safe side. Casper has just had his bloods done and we weren't given any heads up about zinc problems so will keep on with what we have been giving him with less protein and pasta. I was just looking for an alternative to the Harrisons to give him a bit of variety. Any suggestions?

[plax]

Thanks Tony, I think I'll give the Hagen a swerve just to be on the safe side. Casper has just had his bloods done and we weren't given any heads up about zinc problems so will keep on with what we have been giving him with less protein and pasta. I was just looking for an alternative to the Harrisons to give him a bit of variety.That makes sense. And you're welcome.


Any suggestions?I'm likely not a good one to ask since lately I've not been able to get Zaf to eat anything other than a few Zupreem pellets here and there. He won't touch Harrisons or Roudybush or Lafebers (or several others I've tried). I haven't tried Tops yet, and I'd like to do so. I'm unsure if they're even still in business... they never return the voicemail messages I leave for them.

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Casper recommends that if Zaf hasn't tried them he should have a peck at Lafabers Nutri-berries. They make a lovely mess.