Red Palm Oil Trials
by Laura Lawrence
Summer 2003
These are the results of an approximately two-month study done on seven African greys. The study was not performed over a long enough period or with enough birds of various species to be treated as authoritative, but it does present some interesting findings. However, what may be applicable to high-fat consuming species like the African grey would not necessarily be applicable to a species that is sensitive toexcess lipids. Use this information with caution.
The ProductsFor the record, five of the birds were given palm oil donated by Fayus Enterprises while the other two were given different commercial brands.
Ola Ola Carotino from Fayus Enterprises contains: Natural Red Palm Oil in a fully refined form. The label reads: Ola Ola Carotino is ideally suited for all types of cooking especially African and Carribean Cuisine. No artificial colors or preservatives. Carotenes are not removed Product of Malaysia.
From the nutrition panel: Portion size 14g; Calories 126; total fat 14g; Cholesterol nil; Sodium 0 mg. Natural Carotenes 7 mg; Beta Carotenes 3.32 mg; Alpha carotenes 2.59 mg; Other carotenes 1.09 mg; Natural Vitamin E 11.2 mg; Natural Co-Enzyme Q10 0.6 mg.
The two given other brands (Polly's Palm Oil, and another) had been on the oil for a year, and their results reflect improvement over that entire period as opposed to the two months represented by the other five birds.
One participant who used two of the products reported: "In contrast to the Polly's Palm Oil, Ola Ola Carotino doesn't appear to be quite as red, though it's a good dark orange. The Polly's appeared to be pure oil - totally clear, whereas this has little suspended particles in it.
When I used the Polly's, I'd take the bottle out and run it under warm water. Seemed to acquire little black dots in it rather quickly. So, I've just been scraping some of this out and letting it melt onto his morning veggies. Can't say I've used it in cooking myself, but I don't do much cooking with oils at all. Since it's hard, not much odor to it."
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Another participant had this to say: "This RPO is a thick oil and bright orange in color. I keep it in the refrigerator so it has solidified. However, it is very easy to liquify. I either put a small amount in a small cup or dish and set that into another dish of hot water or just scrape off a small amount and mix it into warm food like oatmeal, pizza, or toast and it melts right away.
As a side note, this oil is very orange and thick and leaves a thick, bright coating on anything it is in. One day I was chopping up veggies and fruit (what I do with a big part of most of my days), and I cut my finger. I had nothing handy so I washed the cut and absentmindedly swished my cut finger through the oily residue that was left in a measuring cup that I had melted some RPO in, and then slapped a Band-Aid on and forgot about it. The next evening when I removed the Band-Aid I was amazed to see how much the cut had healed. It must have been the Vit A in the RPO."
The ParrotsFour of the greys were Congos, and three were Timnehs. All were in good health at the time the study commenced and weighed between 250 and 450 grams. All of the birds were on healthy, varied diets including various combinations of pellets, seeds, nuts, and fresh foods.
None showed any nutritional deficiencies or feather abnormalities during the study, although one had previously presented with a calcium deficiency.
The average age of the birds was 4.36 years, with the youngest bird being 1.5 years and the oldest being 10 years. Five of the birds lived in multi-bird households.
Out of the seven birds that were offered the oil, five took to it readily, one would only take it in oatmeal, and the last (the youngest participating bird) would only take it occasionally and from a syringe. All four Congos took to it readily, with the reluctant birds being bothTimnehs, ages 1.5 and 6 years.
The most successful method of administration, used by all six who were able to consistently feed the oil, was mixed in soft foods like mash, veggies, and bread. The average dosage, from limited feedback on this topic, was ¼ teaspoon every other day.
All six birds that were given the oil on a regular basis showed physical improvement at the conclusion of the trial period (two months for four and 1 year for the remaining two). These numbers overlap considerably.
- Five birds showed smoother beaks/feet.
- Five birds showed improved color.
- Four of the birds showed less dry/softer skin.
- Three of the birds were less dusty, and
- One showed less scratching.
These things could simply result from the higher fat content in the diet, or they could be a reflection of the high level of carotenes, Vitamin E, and co-enzyme Q10 present in the oil. All owners involved in the study said that they would continue to use the oil in the future.
Red Palm Oil has many valuable uses for the bird in need of a diet that is higher in fat or improved feather quality. It may have some interesting applications for pluckers.
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For more information on the study, you may join the Yahoo! eGroup entitled Red_Palm_Oil to speak directly with the people involved with the study or you may e-mail me at Jawzmyster@msn.com with specific questions or to request a complete copy of the results. If you would like more information on Red Palm Oil, I would be happy to respond to questions sent to the above e-mail address to the best of my knowledge or I can provide some helpful links.
AddendumJust after the above article was submitted, I received some fairly dramatic results from the only cockatoo to participate in our study. This bird was an 11 year old Moluccan and a confirmed plucker and screamer. He took the oil as well as the greys, also usually in oatmeal. He began the Red Palm Oil at the same time as he began taking a course of oral antibiotics and wearing an Elizabethan collar. In two months, his feather quality and the condition of his beak have improved, and he has regained most of the feathers on his chest. The regrowth of feathers may be due mostly to the collar, but his owner feels that the former improvements are most likely the result of the palm oil. She will continue to use it, adjusting his diet to compensate for the additional fat (at the advice of her veterinarian).
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