I picked up some 'Nest Mate: Budgerigar and young bird rearing food' by Vetafarm today, my local shop had it on clearance as it was two months off the use by(Expires in August, I'll use it by then anyway ) Also picked up some lori food which is supposed to stop the squirting (you lori people know what I'm talking about :hap:) also on clearance. I am looking at using more products with my breeding birds and just wondering what peoples opinions are of the vetafarm products, more specifically their handrearing formulas. I am looking at handrearing indian ringnecks but since it is a general fomula I'm interested what budgie breeders preferences are and why as I plan to keep some in the cupboard at all times for budgie emergencies too.

 

Does anyone prefer a different brand?

I prefer the passwell hand rearing and also use their egg and biscuit

for lori food I use the "rearing and conditionig food" made by avione for the lori's but mix it in with egg and biscuit and a bit of extra raw sugar

Interesting Libby, I have been using Avione but I am keen to see if this decreases the squirting as it claims to, it will mean a lot ess cleaning for me

 

What do you like about the Passwell's?

 

I liked the fact that Vetafarm includes a probiotic and predigestive in their formula, does Passwell have that or would I need to add it as extra?

Edited June 5, 200816 yr by melbournebudgies

I don't think there's anything that can really be done about a lorikeets watery poos, they're natural liquid based eaters... no matter how thick you make their food they'll just drink more water to down it...

I find passwell works well for them all compared to other brands, keeps their condition up as opposed to some which drop it very quickly...

 

Ingredients:

Ground wheat, maize and oats. Whey and soy proteins, maltodextrins, mannon oligosaccharides, lysine, methionine, vegetable oils, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D3, E, K, nicotinamide, pantothenic acid, colour enhancers, folic acid, choline, inositol, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, iodine, selenium

 

If a chick needs a feed in the first few days of life as suggested on the box I will feed it a yoghurt mixture.

 

I keep my lori's outside in a patio cage... the poo that hits anything it shouldn't gets power hosed off easily

My lori cage is in the corner of my kitchen bench as she is out and about with us most of the time so the squirts can be a little annoying. Apparently this product is specially designed with a binding agent that makes them less watery even if they drink lots of water. Vetafarm is owned/run by an avian vet(I've met him, he's a great bloke) so atleast I know that from a health perspective they are good products.

 

Is Passwells nice and smooth when made up, it is important that it passes through a syringe easily, I know some products are only really good for spoon feeding as they are too grainy and tend to clog syringes. Not many places around me stock Passwell's so I'd have to mail order it so I want to know the ins and outs of the products before I settle on one since I won't be able to look at it first.

Passwell is perfect, it's smooth as anything... depending on age and how the mixture is done via ratio it changes between a milk consistancy to a thick youghurt/custard one

Cool well Passwell's will go on the list as a potential choice then.

 

Anyone use something else?

Thing I like about Vetafarm is that the products are specific for the purpose and is an Australian Company. I am a proud member of Vetafarm. Below is a quote about the owner and founder.

 

http://www.vetafarm.com.au/index2.asp

 

Dr. Tony Gestier BVSc.(Hons) MACVSc.

BMSc. (Pharmaceutics)

Director (Technical / Research and Development)

 

Tony graduated from Sydney University in 1979 (BVSc). He worked for many years in general practice in rural NSW gaining wide experience in the diseases and nutrition of domestic animals. An interest in avian medicine and exotic animal management led to his Australian College of Veterinary Science examinations in Avian Medicine in 1986 (MACVSc).

 

With the formation of Vetafarm in 1990, Tony was responsible for product development, product manufacture, Quality Control and Product Registration.

 

With the expansion of Vetafarm, Tony also extended his technical expertise into the areas of Pharmaceutical Manufacture (BMSc) and specialist animal nutrition.

 

During his 20 years as an Avian Veterinarian, Tony has lectured and presented widely, in both Australia and internationally to birdkeepers and Veterinarians on the subjects of avian health, medicine and management.

 

Tony is the owner and Director of Vetafarm.

That's what I like too Derek, do you use any of the food products? I used to live in Wagga (where the complany is located) and had one of my old lories sexed by Tony ot the back of Vetafarm

 

The Nest mate that I bought earlier today sggests using it as an ad lib supplement for putting condition onto breeding birds too. Since it is not particularly cheap of course I have mixed it half/half with dry chick crumble and put a sprinkle of seed on the top to entice them for my aviary birds. The breeding box birds will get it straight in a dish on the floor where it can be reached by young just coming out of the nest too..

That's what I like too Derek, do you use any of the food products? I used to live in Wagga (where the complany is located) and had one of my old lories sexed by Tony ot the back of Vetafarm

 

The Nest mate that I bought earlier today sggests using it as an ad lib supplement for putting condition onto breeding birds too. Since it is not particularly cheap of course I have mixed it half/half with dry chick crumble and put a sprinkle of seed on the top to entice them for my aviary birds. The breeding box birds will get it straight in a dish on the floor where it can be reached by young just coming out of the nest too..

 

I use them exclusively at this stage.

Have you used the handrearing prodcts? If so do you find them to be a nice smooth consistency when made up?Also what is the benefit of the Vetafarm club? Do yo product discounts, etc?

Have you used the handrearing prodcts? If so do you find them to be a nice smooth consistency when made up?Also what is the benefit of the Vetafarm club? Do yo product discounts, etc?

Have never done any hand rearing so had no need for it.Details of VetaClub at http://www.vetafarm.com.au/vetaclub.htm

What is it? VetaClub is an exclusive membership to network information, products and privileges associated with the Wagga Wagga based avian specialist company Vetafarm. VetaClub has been established to promote "better avian management through information". The aim is to equip the bird owner with the correct and latest knowledge to enhance their avian skills in such a way that they save time, money and birds. Enjoyment in bird keeping is a VetaClub priority. Who can join? Anyone can join VetaClub, but due to distance and quarantine restrictions, international members do not qualify for the free testing of birds or for freight free benefits, however they are welcome to join and receive all other benefits. What do you receive? VetaClub members are entitled to receive the following benefits:

• 
  
• Free samples of new Vetafarm products when available.
  
• Freight Free on all orders over $AU250 (GST exclusive) within Australia
  
• One half price Chlamydia (Psittacosis) test annually.
  
• Two Free Megabacteria tests annually.
  
• Two Free Coccidiosis tests annually.
  
• Two Free Worm tests annually.
  
• Personalised VetaClub membership card.
  
• Special VIP offer of 15% discount on all purchases available.
  
• VetaClub NewsLetter. The newsletter showcases in detail the latest news on product research and development. It also contains the latest interviews with Dr Tony Gestier on many and varied avian subjects. Members are given the opportunity to detail any good, bad or funny experiences, ask questions and publicise their bird club through the newsletter.
  

How much does it cost? There is a charge applied to memberships to cover miscellaneous costs associated with running the club. The cost is $22 (including GST) for a full 12 months membership. How long does the membership last? Membership is valid for 1 year from the date of purchase. Members are given the option of renewal for one month after the membership has expired. Members who do not renew in this time forfeit the discount membership rate and risk going on a waiting list due to the popularity and exclusivity of the club.

You also get free telephone support from their avian veterinarians.