Some years ago, poultry experts discovered one reason why chickens that
ran outdoors were superior to those always kept indoors and never
allowed to run free. Those permitted to scratch outdoors were benefiting
from something in the soil, something derived from animal matter: The
scientists called it APF, meaning animal protein factor. They learned to
isolate it and to put it into diet supplements for livestock. The
results were amazing; poultry grew faster and larger, hatched more eggs,
reared more hatchlings, and replaced moulted feathers more quickly.
The scientists then discovered that the most important component of APF
for growth and hatchability was a red vitamin, B{~SUBSCRIPT ONE~}{~SUBSCRIPT TWO~}. It was found to be
one of the most effective therapeutic substances known for its weight.
As little as 1/200th of a teaspoon of pure B{~SUBSCRIPT ONE~}{~SUBSCRIPT TWO~} to a ton of livestock
feed is considered adequate!
B{~SUBSCRIPT ONE~}{~SUBSCRIPT TWO~} was first isolated from liver by research workers in England. Since
then processors have learned to extract it from fermentation products at
a more reasonable cost.
The R. T. French Laboratory, noting the effect of B{~SUBSCRIPT ONE~}{~SUBSCRIPT TWO~} on poultry and
hogs, began a long series of tests with canaries and parrakeets.
French's had pioneered in the past in packaging bird seed, in
air-washing it to remove dust, in eliminating the over-use of hempseed,
in producing a balanced bird diet, and in the use of yeast and wheat
germ supplements. This Vitamin B{~SUBSCRIPT ONE~}{~SUBSCRIPT TWO~} research was a part of French's
never-ending program of bringing to bird owners the new products and
techniques of science as soon as they can be authoritatively documented.
A year passed before French's laboratory reported these four apparent
facts:
1. B{~SUBSCRIPT ONE~}{~SUBSCRIPT TWO~} is non-toxic
2. B{~SUBSCRIPT ONE~}{~SUBSCRIPT TWO~} improves the palatability of the food to which it is added
(birds like it)
3. B{~SUBSCRIPT ONE~}{~SUBSCRIPT TWO~} promotes feathering
4. B{~SUBSCRIPT ONE~}{~SUBSCRIPT TWO~} hastens the development of young birds.
The significance of the last two points is important to all bird owners.
In moulting, for instance, the loss and replacement of feathers is a
severe tax on a bird's general health, and an improperly feathered bird
is at a great disadvantage. Furthermore, nutrition experts place great
importance on the growth and development which foods produce in young
animals and birds. Foods which support the best rates of development are
naturally considered the most desirable.
Vitamin B{~SUBSCRIPT ONE~}{~SUBSCRIPT TWO~} was included in the formulas for French's Bird Biscuit and
French's Nestling Food only after the company had been convinced that
the addition of B{~SUBSCRIPT ONE~}{~SUBSCRIPT TWO~} would be a real contribution to canary and parrakeet
nutrition. Bird owners will do well to feed vitamin B{~SUBSCRIPT ONE~}{~SUBSCRIPT TWO~} regularly. This
can be done by keeping the biscuit in the cage at all times. Sick or
run-down birds, in particular, should have the biscuit or the nestling
food.