Vitakraft Menu for canaries, 1 kg is a staple seed food from the German brand Vitakraft. The mix contains canary seed, red, white and yellow millet and other seeds — familiar food for canaries. Seeds make up 64.7% and cereals 33%. It's enriched with the Vital complex with iodine, vitamins A and D3, minerals and beta-glucans (the Immun Aktiv complex) for immunity. There are no colourings, preservatives, flavourings or added sugar, and it comes in a zip-lock bag.
What it is and who makes it
Vitakraft is a German maker of food for birds and small animals. The Menu range is a balanced everyday base, with a separate mix for each bird species. The canary version suits a small beak and the needs of songbirds: more small seeds and millet, fewer large, fatty seeds.
Ingredients and analysis
Seeds (64.7%), cereals (33%), minerals, oils and fats, vegetable by-products, honey (0.02%) and yeast (beta-glucans 80 mg/kg). Calcium 0.8%, phosphorus 0.4%. Per kg it adds vitamin A (6000 IU), vitamin D3 (600 IU), iodine (about 5 mg), manganese and zinc.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Seeds / cereals | 64.7% / 33% |
| Calcium / phosphorus | 0.8% / 0.4% |
| Vitamin A / D3 | 6000 / 600 IU per kg |
| Beta-glucans | 80 mg/kg |
| Daily amount | 1–2 teaspoons (about 7 g) |
Pros
- The right base. Canary seed and three kinds of millet.
- Iodine and minerals. The Vital complex against deficiencies.
- Immunity. Beta-glucans from yeast.
- No colourings or preservatives. No added sugar.
- Economical. About 7 g a day, so 1 kg lasts one bird a long time.
Cons and what to keep in mind
- Seeds only. Without greens, vegetables and a mineral supplement the diet is incomplete.
- Selective feeding. A bird may eat favourite seeds and leave the rest.
- Large bag. Keep it sealed so it doesn't get damp or attract moths.
- Contains honey. A trace amount (0.02%) for flavour.
How to feed
The maker recommends about 1–2 teaspoons (7 g) daily. Blow the husks out of the feeder every day and add fresh food, because a feeder full of empty husks can leave a bird hungry even though it looks full. If your canary picks only its favourite seeds, don't top up until it has eaten the rest. Change the water daily and wash the drinker.
What to add to the diet
Offer a little greenery daily (lettuce, dandelion, chickweed), pieces of apple, carrot or cucumber, and sprouted seeds. Calcium sources such as cuttlebone and a mineral block are needed. During moulting and breeding, protein and vitamin needs rise, so egg food and bird vitamins are added; see treats and vitamins for birds. Never give avocado, chocolate, or salty and fatty food.
Conditions for a songbird
A canary needs a roomy cage where it can fly from perch to perch, a spot without draughts or direct sun, a bath and a steady daylight period. Place the cage at human eye level, not on the floor or near the kitchen. You can choose a suitable cage in bird cages. If the bird sits fluffed up, stops singing, stays on the cage floor or its droppings change, see an avian vet.
Who it suits
Canaries, as their main daily food alongside greens and a mineral supplement. Another canary option is Versele-Laga Prestige Canaries, and cockatiels have Vitakraft Menu for cockatiels. All foods are in bird food.
Verdict
Vitakraft Menu for canaries is a simple seed base with canary seed, millet, iodine, vitamins and beta-glucans, free of colourings and preservatives. An economical everyday food that works best with greens, cuttlebone and making sure the bird eats the whole mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much food does a canary need a day?
About 1–2 teaspoons (7 g).
What's in it?
Canary seed, three kinds of millet and other seeds, minerals, vitamins and beta-glucans.
Does it contain colourings?
No, there are no colourings, preservatives or flavourings.
Do canaries need vitamins?
The food contains vitamins A and D3 and iodine; extra support is added during moulting and breeding.
Is it suitable for budgies?
It's a canary mix; budgies are better off with their own food.
How should I store it?
In the sealed zip-lock bag, somewhere cool and dry.
