Mutton bird oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids (24.9% of total fatty acids ). The amounts are such that 1g of oil per day taken would at least double the normal daily intake.The rich red colour of the oil suggests a high content of valuable astaxanthin or related pigments. The oil may have therapeutic usefulness for atherosclerotic and thrombotic conditions. The oil is used to rub down the coats of horses or greyhounds, and put in the feed in small quantities to prevent colds and flues and to assist in bone strengthening. Many people consume the oil in its natural unaltered form, while others take it in manufactured tablet form.

Mutton Bird Oil for Sale

PROCESSING THE OIL Mutton birding in Australia is unique to the Tasmanian Aboriginal people. Aborigines own the islands in Bass Strait where each year the mutton bird hatches its young. The adult bird feeds on krill and regurgitates its feed into the mouths of the young chicks. In a few week period in April the chicks are harvested and the oil extracted from the gut by squeezing. The product is allowed to settle before the gurry is removed from the oil. The oil is then strained several times until the final product is pure oil. There are no additives. Oil is available in containers ranging from 1 to 200 litres. The cost is $30 per litre