Quote:
Originally Posted by dustbunny86
What about reptile full spectrum flourescent or mercury vapor bulbs with 2 - 10% UVB (the lower range for reptiles who are often in the shade or are native to temperate areas, mid-range for tropical animals who are in an area with high intensity rays but typically are shaded due to the rainforest canopy and shrubbery, and the higher range for desert animals exposed to high intensity)? Studies with reptiles have shown that reptiles kept under proper artificial lighting (not poor quality bulbs) are able to synthesize Vitamin D3, preventing or even reversing metabolic bone disease (which occurs in reptiles when there is not enough Vitamin D3 to absorb/utilize calcium). Why wouldn't these bulbs work well for birds?
I've read a few studies on the differences between poor quality "full spectrum bulbs" like those that would be found in a home improvement store and those made specifically for reptile purposes... and in the poor quality bulbs, there is much less UVB output as well as a smaller total amount of USABLE UVB rays.
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I don't doubt that for a minute. But to say since it works on reptiles, it should work on birds, is bad science.
10% UVB, may work on reptiles. Reptiles body is exposed to the sunlight and the entire surface may be able to syntheis D3. A birds body is covered with feathers. The feathers must be oiled by the bird. Then the bird must ingest the D3. It stands to reason that 10% UVB may not be enough for birds. Furthermore, specially made avian full-spectrum bulbs seldom have more than 0.5% UVB, a few have 2.5%, and most don't mention UVB.
I'm not saying it doesn't work, but the evidence is not out there for me to depend on it. And I am skeptical.