raspberry cordial

[jusdeb]

Yes I know it makes kids hypo ...
I always learn something new when we pay a visit to Ted McIness's aviaries , Ive wondered for a while about why his birds drinking water was red and today I found out it was raspberry cordial yes the cottees kind of ordinary cordial .
http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/ind ... opic=28416 so I found this site and what do you know old farts from way back have been using it to keep water free from some germs kinda like the chemical additives .
Now I know this is gonna open up a can of what abouts ie. too much sugar , hypo birds etc but right in front of me were a lot of geriatric finches that didnt look to have diabetes and were in picture perfect health so who knows.

[Buzzard-1]

Red Factor Canarys (Overdose on red cordial )

[flap]

I have seen food with colour additives at some of the bird dealers to enhance the red colour, so why not red cordial to keep water healthy? I have heard the same about travelling overseas, to ward off some of the gastro bugs maybe?? ...
Mind you I was horrified at the thought of artifically colour enhancing birds!

[cranberry]

It needs to be raspberry juice with at least 25% pure raspberry. The everyday Cottees cordial will have bugger all effect. It may help with colour enhancement but it does nothing to keep the nasties away.

[jusdeb]

Well according to the article cordial is the go and the old timers are using cordial . Did you read the article about test done at the Uni ? And as far as colouring the bird the only birds of old mates here that have changed colour is the plumheads because they bath in it ( gotta admit they looked rather dapper with pink bellies)

[E Orix]

Most old avis have used it and Ted is not real young either.
It has been used in the Pig industry for even longer.
I am not sure if it really needs a high concentrate of actual juice.
In all honesty it is just another water additive like the clove of Garlic,Apple Cider etc etc.
These days I am not concerned about what I put in it but what the councils put in our drinking water.
While I do not put anything in I will only use water from my Bore.It has natural minerals in it but no Clorine or anything else.
Just a personal opinion,to me rain water or water from an underground bore/spring is far far safer for birds and animals with a small body weight.
I guess I am in the old fart class

[jusdeb]

Oh very true Eorix about the council water supply and Ted is up to 78 this year .

[Buzzard-1]

I guess I am in the old fart class

Welcome Don't have town water here all bore & rain water= healthy birds

[jusdeb]

Hmmmm may have to start running the birds water through the purifier ... never thought to do it before

[Jayburd]

people do it mainly to enhance all colours. Old codger in our finch club does it, all his birds look absolutely FAB, especially his male gouldians