Juvenile Crimson Rosella with adult plumage All very nice to have baby birds with adult plumage you might think. The problem was that the growth acceleration experienced by the birds also meant they their lifespan was often drastically shortened. Bird breeders noted that a common factor in the diets of affected parrots was soy protein. Soy is high in phytate, which reduces mineral bioavailability. Upset the delicate mineral balance in a parrot's diets and bone and beak disorders are the result.
Soybeans contain high levels of phytoestrogens.
Strong candidates then as the cause of the infertility and premature maturation. Early investigators were familiar with the writings of Rachel Carson who penned 'our fate is connected with the animals'. And so began our investigation. We know the soy industry hasn't enjoyed what we've found, but you deserve to know what we have learnt about the effects of phytoestrogens and other soy toxins .