Higher fat diets are appropriate for growing, breeding, and stressed birds. However, large amounts of fat in the diet inhibit calcium adsorption and can increase the incidence and severity of fatty tumors. Seeds and nuts are good sources of fat which explains their high palatability. Fatty Acids - Fatty acids are the building blocks for fats. They are needed in small quantities.
Deficiencies cause membrane defects seen as poor skin and feather condition.
There are three essential fatty acids linoleic, linolenic, and arachidonic, that must be incorporated into bird diets. Vitamins - Vitamins are needed for healthy skin and bones, fertility, growth, and healthy blood, muscles, and internal organs. They are essential for proper bone and feather growth as well as normal neurologic and cardiac function. Seeds are deficient in calcium. Iodine - Needed for thyroid function especially for parakeets.