Coloring Agents - Articles and Information - Lady Gouldian Finch Supplies USA
Red Factor Coloring Agents - Title - Article - ladygouldianfinch.com
Article on Red Factor Coloring Agents and their use

Red Factor Coloring Agents

Articles and Information - Lady Gouldian Finch

Like other canaries, Colorbred Canaries can be traced back to their origins in the wild canaries of the Canary Islands. The original red canaries were produced from the rare fertile hybrid offspring of a Venezuelan Red Siskin (South American Black-Capped Red Siskin) crossed with a normal yellow-ground canary by a German breeder known as Dr Hans Duncker.

To enhance the color of the Red canaries, most enthusiasts recommend "color feeding" Experts recommend using a carotenoid concentrate to bring out the full potential in the red canary's plumage.

Color Feeding During the Molt
Feather color is dietary-dependent in species with carotenoid pigmentation. Red factor and new color canaries fall into this category. They require exogenous sources of carotenoids or related substances to enable full development of yellow orange and red pigments in their feathers. Foods for these birds should therefore contain carotenoids and xanthophylls to enable their proper color development.

Bee Pollen, Chamomile, Calendula, Beet Root Powder and Rosehips areother sources of the usable carotenoids pigment, apocarotenol, that produces yellow to orange hues in the feathers.

Bogena Intensief
Red Factor Coloring Agents - Article - Photo Bogena Red
Beophar Intensief, Bogena Red Photo

Bogena Intensief red colorant is a water-soluble powder, which promotes red color in feathers. Bogena contains natural vegetable colorants, provitamin A, which turns into vitamin A in the body, vitamin B2, C, and carotene pigment.

Bogena Intensief red colorant is a water-soluble powder, which promotes red color in feathers. Bogena contains natural vegetable colorants, provitamin A, which turns into vitamin A in the body, vitamin B2, C, and carotene pigment.

Manufacture dosing instructions:
Bogena Intensief may be added to the drinking water by dissolving 10g in 1 liter (quart) of warm water (1g = ¼ teaspoon).

Softfood:
Bogena Intensief may be added to egg/soft food. As a general rule the manufacturer suggest a mixture of 10g of Intensief with 1kg ( ) of egg/soft food. Give fresh twice a day, during the molt and during breeding. Results will only be obtained by feeding Intensief during the molting season, starting at least one week before the molt.

Bogena Intensief Red Colorant

Special Instructions:

Since all birds have differing absorption rates, the canary breeders that I have spoken with tell me that you should not see any red coloring in the droppings of your birds. If you do, then you will need to decrease the amount of powder to water ratio, until the red color disappears from the droppings.

*Note: A xanthophyll food dye, containing 10% xanthophyllis and canthaxanthadine is potentially liver toxic to birds and must always be used in accordance with dosages calculated by experienced canary breeders.

Note: Most experts feel there are not health risks associated with carotenoid concentrates, as long as the doses are administered in the correct quantities and are not fed continuously all year round. It is always advised to consult your veterinarian regarding your canary's diet.

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