Fruit Juice vs. Water

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Whenever possible, fruit juice (apple juice is a good starter)

should be substituted for the drinking water.  As an alternative,

Tang (or its equivalent) can be added to the drinking water.

This may not be a practical suggestion for birds that habitually

bathe in their drinking water.  These additives or fruit juices

provide more nutrients (vitamins, minerals, etc.) than water

alone, and they help to mask the taste of other items (vitamins,

antibiotics if necessary, etc.) that may be added to the drinking

water.  Fruit juices that produce stains (for example, grape

juice) should not be used.  Fruit juices or water to which

perishable items have been added must be changed every 12-24

hours to prevent spoilage, and perhaps even more often on

especially warm days.  Even plain water should be changed with

the same frequency for the same reasons.