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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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General Questions

Emeraid Formulas

Formulated Diets

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General Questions


How do I determine the expiration date of a Lafeber product?

Look for the “Best By” stamp or sticker on every Lafeber product.


What new Lafeber products are available?

There are a variety of new products available including the elemental diet, Emeraid Carnivore, the formulated diet, Nutri-Meals, as well as the prescription diets, Medi-Berries, Nutri-An Cakes for Foraging and Weight Maintenance, and Nutri-An Cakes for Recovery and Nutritional Support. Also recently released was the Nutri-Forage: “Snack-N-Pack”.


Do Lafeber products contain preservatives?

Formulated products like pellets, Berries, and cakes are naturally preserved with a mixture of tocopherols and citric acid. All hand-feeding formulas such as Carbo-Boost, Nutri-Support, Emeraid Omnivore, and Emeraid Carnivore contain ethoxyquin. These foods are fed relatively short-term and they require longer shelf lives.


How does Lafeber insure quality control of its products?

Lafeber Company hand inspects all seeds and grains for cleanliness and freshness. Products are also created in small batches to ensure the best quality possible, and each batch is laboratory-tested.


Are seeds bad for birds?

Seeds in and of themselves are not bad for birds. An all-seed diet is bad when in is devoid of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. Pellets have been considered an important component of the healthy pet bird diet since they were first developed by Dr. Lafeber, Sr. in 1975, and pellets are made from ground seeds and grains with vitamins and minerals added. See Formulated diets for more information.

Emeraid Formulas


Are there any tips on how to best administer Emeraid?

  • Prepare the diet immediately before feeding.
  • Follow the directions on proportions carefully. Add one part Emeraid Carnivore to 2.5 parts water. Add 1 scoop Emeraid Psittacine to 10 ml water. Do not pack formula powder.
  • Shake the mixture vigorously.
  • Keep formula in warm water until ready to feed.
  • Do not load the feeding tube with formula until immediately before feeding.
  • Emeraid Psittacine and Emeraid Carnivore will reliably pass through feeding tubes as small as 16 gauge or 5 French.


What is the caloric content of Emeraid Products?

Emeraid Carnivore contains 4.980 kcal/g and 2.0 kcal/ml when made as directed.
Emeraid Omnivore contains 4.055 kcal/g and 4.0 kcal/ml when made as directed.


What is Carbo-Boost?

Carbo-Boost was formerly known as Emeraid I. This carbohydrate-rich tube-feeding formula is designed to provide calories and fluids to the avian patient.


I see little specks of color in the powder? What is this?

Copper sulfate appears as blue granules and potassium chloride granules are red.
The vitamin pre-mix may appear as small black specks.


There used to be egg in the Emeraid Carnivore formula. Why is it gone and what has replaced this ingredient?

Egg was removed from the Emeraid formula so that product may be shipped internationally. The international Emeraid Carnivore formula contains higher amounts of both corn and canola oil as well as soy protein. International Emeraid Carnivore also contains slightly different levels of minerals and amino acids.


What is an elemental diet?

An elemental diet is a nutritionally balanced, highly digestible liquid diet such as Emeraid Omnivore or Emeraid Carnivore that puts no stress on the gastrointestinal system. Elemental diets are well suited for nutritional support of critical patients.


What’s the advantage of feeding Emeraid Carnivore to a bird of prey when compared to Prescription diet a/d or Eukanuba maximum calorie?

Emeraid Carnivore is an elemental diet. This easily absorbable and highly digestible diet is indicated for the care of the critically ill carnivore.


How do I decide which Emeraid product to use?

Carbo-Boost serves as a rich source of carbohydrates and may be used to initially provide calories and fluid to the avian patient. Emeraid formulas are easily absorbable and highly digestible diets designed for the critically ill avian patient. Nutri-Support may be fed for an extended period because of its normal fiber levels, while the low fiber content of Emeraid Psittacine means that it should not be fed to granivores for more than 7 days.

Product Emeraid Carbo-Boost Emeraid Nutri-Support Emeraid Omnivore Emeraid Carnivore
* Psittacines require 12%
** The source of carbohydrates is primarily from easily absorbed oligosaccharides
*** Carnivores require low levels of carbohydrates. The carbohydrate requirements of raptors is unknown, however the presence of low levels should help during cachexia.
Indications Initial source of calories and fluid for the avian patient. Extended nutritional support of the avian patient. Also indicated for those requiring low dietary fat (i.e. hepatic lipidosis) Readily absorbable, easily digestible diet designed for the critically ill granivore Readily absorbable, easily digestible diet designed for the critically ill carnivore
Protein None High High* High
Carbohydrate High High Optimal** Optimal***
Fat None Low High High
Fiber None Normal Low Low
Vitamins/ minerals None High vitamin A Adequate Adequate
Guaranteed Analyses 19.7% Dextrose
14.4% Disaccharides
11.2% Trisaccharides
54.7% Tetrasaccharides
1.0 kcal/ml 		18.5% Protein
5.0% Fat
1.0% Fiber

3.4 kcal/gram		 20.0% Protein
9.5% Fat
0.5% Fiber
2.0 kcal/ml 		37.8% Protein
34.0% Fat
4.5% Fiber
2.1 kcal/ml


How long may I feed Emeraid Omnivore (Psittacine) or Emeraid Carnivore?

Omnivore (Psittacine) or Emeraid Carnivore? Emeraid Psittacine is relatively low in fiber, and should not be fed for more than 7 days. Carnivores (faunivores) have low fiber needs, and therefore they may be fed Emeraid carnivore for an extended period of time.


What is Nutri-Support?

Nutri-Support, formerly known as Emeraid II, is a tube-feeding formula designed to provide nutritional support to the debilitated avian patient. Nutri-Support is low in fat, but high in protein and carbohydrates. Fiber levels are adequate.


Why are there preservatives in the Emeraid formula?

All hand-feeding formulas such as Carbo-Boost, Nutri-Support, Emeraid Omnivore, and Emeraid Carnivore contain ethoxyquin. These products are fed relatively short-term and they require longer shelf lives.


Emeraid Carnivore contains soy protein. Why should I feed a plant-based protein to carnivorous species?

Although a plant-based protein, soy is considered a complete protein, containing sufficient amounts of all essential amino acids unlike other vegetables. Additionally, Emeraid is supplemental with free amino acids for optimal absorption of protein building blocks.


How should I store Emeraid formula?

Refrigerate powder upon arrival. Testing has not been performed to confirm product stability after reconstitution of frozen Emeraid powder.


Why is there sucrose in Emeraid Omnivore?

This disaccharide is an easily absorbable and highly digestible carbohydrate that serves as a great source of energy.


What feeding tube size is recommended for feeding Emeraid formula?

Emeraid Omnivore and Emeraid Carnivore will reliably pass through tubes as small as 16 gauge stainless steel feeding tubes and 5 French red rubber catheters.

Formulated products


Are Avi-Cakes nutritionally balanced?

Yes! Parrot Avi-Cakes are a maintenance diet, and they are actually relatively low in energy, less than that of the Nutri-Berry. Cockatiel Avi-Cakes are designed for all life stages.


What products are recommended for breeding birds?

Lafeber Company products that support breeding include Avi-Cakes and Nutri-Berries for cockatiels, and Premium Daily Diet Granules or Pellets for finches, canaries, parakeets, and cockatiels. Additional products labeled for breeders include Kaytee Exact original breeder and Exact rainbow breeder as well as Hagen Tropican High Performance Parrot Granules.


What products are recommended for conversion to a healthy diet?

Lafeber Company Nutri-Berries and Avi-Cakes are excellent foods to promote dietary conversion. Both products are appetizing combinations of pellets, seeds, and grains. An example of a product produced by another bird food company that may promote dietary conversion is Kaytee Exact conversion & weaning diet. High Potency Mash by Harrison’s Bird Foods is especially helpful for dietary conversion of small birds.


How do pigments or food dyes affect nutritional content?

Colorful foods like Nutri-Nuts get their coloring from human grade artificial and natural dyes. Nutritional content is not affected in any way.


What products are recommended for maintenance?

A number of Lafeber products may be fed for maintenance including Premium Daily Diet Pellets, Nutri-Berries, Nutri-Meals, and/or Avi-Cakes.


Are Nutri-Berries nutritionally balanced?

Nutri-Berries consist of whole grains and seeds mixed with pellets to create a nutritionally balanced product. Nutri-Berries are designed to support maintenance and breeding. The pellets in the Nutri-Berry are similar to the Premium Daily Diet Pellet, however their vitamin/mineral content has been adjusted. All varieties of Nutri-Berries are essentially the same nutritionally. See the Nutritional Equivalency Report for more information.


What are Nutri-An Cakes?

Nutri-An Cakes for Foraging and Weight Maintenance and Nutri-An Cakes for Recovery and Nutritional Support are products sold only to veterinarians. Nutri-An Cakes for Foraging and Weight Maintenance is a low energy diet that may promote weight loss if fed as the sole diet. Nutri-An Cakes for Recovery and Nutritional Support are designed for patients that require high energy and protein.


Does Lafeber Company produce organic food products?

No, although Lafeber Company does utilize corn that has not been genetically modified (non-GMO corn) in its Premium Daily Diet Pellets. Organic bird food products include Kaytee Exact Organic and Harrison’s Bird Foods.


What is the shelf life of an opened Lafeber product?

As long as the product has been closed properly and stored in a dry, cool place, items may be eaten up to 1 year after they are opened.


How do I keep Nutri-Berries and Avi-Cakes soft and pliable?

Store Berries and Cakes in the resealable tub or bag in which they are sold. Do not refrigerate. If products become hard or dry, briefly insert a moistened gauze 4×4 into the resealable container.


How should I store an opened bag of Lafeber product?

Keep Berries and Cakes in the resealable tub or bag in which they are sold. Do not refrigerate Berries or Cakes.


What products are recommended as treats?

Lafeber Company produces a variety of nutritious and delicious treats including Nutri-Forage: “Snack-N-Pack” ,Nutri-Nuts, Popcorn Nutri-Berries, and Birditos. Maintenance products such as Nutri-Berries or Avi-Cakes may also be offered as treats.


What products are recommended for weight gain?

The prescription diet, Nutri-An Cakes for Recovery and Nutritional Support is high in energy and protein. (Diets may also be supplemented occasionally with the high-energy treat, Nutri-Nut, which contains peanut butter cookie dough).


What products are recommended for weight loss?

The prescription diet, Nutri-An Cakes for Foraging and Weight Maintenance, is low in energy and may promote weight loss when fed as the sole diet. See the hand-out on obesity for more information.