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Importance of UV Light for Pet Birds

Minerals

Important for Pet Birds

Ultraviolet Light

Ultraviolet light is an essential component for the proper care of pet birds.

Just like humans, birds need UV light for the synthesis of vitamin D3. Under low-UV lighting conditions, little or no vitamin D3 is produced. The function of vitamin D3 is to enable the absorption of calcium from food in the intestines and to integrate calcium into the metabolism. If a bird receives too little or no UV light, calcium absorption in the digestive tract is impaired. This can lead to hypocalcemia, which may result in the following symptoms and illnesses.

Ultraviolet light, calcium, and vitamin D3 together are responsible for vital bodily functions. If birds are kept outdoors year-round in open aviaries, no artificial UV light is needed, as the sun is the best light source for birds. However, if no outdoor aviary is available, artificial UV sources are necessary to provide birds with lighting that closely mimics natural sunlight.

Quelle:
https://club-ornis-berlin.de/ultraviolettes-licht-ein-notwendiger-bestandteil-fur-die-artgerechte-haltung-von-ziervogeln/

Restriction of muscle function

Calcium is very important for muscle activity because every muscle cell has a calcium store that must always be filled to ensure proper muscle function. A deficiency arises when there is insufficient absorption from the digestive tract.

Bone damage

A calcium deficiency can lead to unstable bones and skeletal deformities. Deformed bones put stress on the joints, which can cause arthritis in middle age, accompanied by symptoms such as lameness and pain.

Egg binding

Deformed pelvic bones can lead to egg binding. Additionally, an empty calcium store in the smooth muscle cells of the oviduct weakens muscle contractions and thus the pushing effort. If the egg gets stuck in the cloaca at this time, it can become a life-threatening emergency. Furthermore, calcium deficiency can cause deformities in eggshells.

ChatGPT: Central nervous system disorders

Calcium has a comprehensive effect on nerve functions. A calcium deficiency can lead to failures (such as trembling, paralysis, and seizures) in the brain, as the largest concentration of nerve cells is located there.