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Parrots: Food and Diet |
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FOOD AND DIETS Just like with people, the requirements of birds are so varied and dependant on the particular animal that it is very difficult to offer you a precise recommendation. So, I will address this subject in generalities with emphasis on what has worked for me, with my individual birds. But, remember, these are only my opinions and your bird may present a unique set of requirements. Don’t be afraid to seek professional help from your Veterinarian. Foods for birds come in the same types of categories as food for people: fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, carbs, dairy, etc. but they also come in seed mixes, pelleted, fresh and frozen (similar to our prepackaged, fast food, vegetarian, etc.). So, just like for us, the choices for your birds can be based not only on what they like and need, but what fits into your personal abilities and schedule. The first thing I always tell a new bird owner is that a diet is only good if it is sustainable. If you want to prepare all of your bird’s nourishment from fresh, personally cooked ingredients then you will need to have plenty of time for shopping, preparation, serving and cleaning. Many people just can’t keep this up. For them, there is a wide variety of offerings that can provide fun, interesting, healthy foods without the personal commitment. In my opinion, either and both of these are good choices but the most important thing is that they get good quality, fresh food on a consistent basis. If preparing your own becomes overwhelming and so you just don’t do anything, that won’t do! Replace the time consuming effort with an easier alternative that fits into your schedule. Don’t let your new family member go without! REMEMBER, BEING HUNGRY HURTS! Changing Diets Change takes time. Don’t expect your bird to readily accept changes in its diet. In fact, expect it to waste most of the new foods for an extended period of time. Patience is the key here. Keep trying, keep offering the new items and eventually your bird’s natural curiosity will get the best of it. When deciding to change diets, it is always a good idea to check with your regular Veterinarian. Your Vet will be familiar with your individual bird’s needs and habits; therefore they will be uniquely qualified to help you find the best diet for your individual bird. Basic Mix Many people cringe at the mention of seed based diets. Personally, I am not totally against these as long as they are balanced with other things. I have found that offering a seed mix gives my birds something to play with when all else is gone. Invariably, they will toss most of the seeds out of their dish looking for the “goodies” that they know are hiding in there. Then, when all else is gone and they are done playing, climbing and generally getting into trouble, they will go back to their dishes for a nibble of what is left and it is usually the seed mix. I have a seed mix made to order based on what my birds need and like. I know that most bird owners can’t do this since they have only one or two birds and no resource for blending and bagging. Purchasing a good, reputable, quality mix from the local pet or feed store offers a logical alternative. In addition to these mixes I offer my birds their favorite pellets and a separate dish of my own concoctions (sometimes fruit; sometimes vegetables; sometimes meats or grains…whatever is left over or in abundance in the frig). The main thing to remember is that, whatever fresh foods are offered, they need to be removed before they rot or mold. So feed these things when you will be able to remove ‘leftovers’ within a few hours. Pellet manufacturers will tell you that their blends are scientifically made to offer a complete diet for your birds without anything else being added; and I’m sure they are! Unfortunately, my birds haven’t spoken with their reps and probably wouldn’t care. They like what they like and pellets have never been high on their list. In fact, following the advice of a new Veterinarian several years ago, I succeeded in starving one of my best breeding males to death while trying to convert it to pellets! We watched it, fed it, tested it, took our time (more than 6 months) and it still died. That was my experience and I choose not to repeat it, so my birds are not on solely a pelleted diet! If your birds enjoy and will eat pellets, by all means keep it up! Pellets are easy, somewhat economical and have been proven very nutritious for those birds that eat them. I wish mine would! I, personally, don’t happen to believe that pellets alone can offer a bird all that it needs (regardless of what the manufacturers say). I choose to offer a variety with the heaviest emphasis on fresh foods and individual extras based on each species needs. Species Special Needs Amazons Amazons have a tendency to be overweight. Therefore, their diet should watch the amounts of fatty foods and include lower levels of protein like sunflower and walnuts. Instead, they need higher levels of Vitamin A foods such as pumpkins, squash and chili peppers (spinach is also another good source but can drain the bird of other nutrients/vitamins so keep it to a minimum). Cockatoos, Grey and Powder Birds These birds require an increased level of calcium in their diets. Offer them free access to cuttle bones and sprinkle bone meal on their foods. Other excellent sources of calcium can be oyster shell, dark green leafy vegetables, peas, beans and tofu. Many people offer cheeses and dairy products, but remember that most birds are lactose intolerant so these should be offered sparingly! Macaws Macaws notoriously need fat and carbohydrates. They are big nut eaters and enjoy the extra nutrition that they get from them. Nuts should be offered in the shell since macaws also find cracking the shells a fun part of the eating experience. Hawkheads and Caiques Both of these species require higher levels of fruits and nuts in their diets. Offer a variety including pomegranates, apples, bananas, and oranges. When offering nuts with hard shells, crack them first to make them accessible for these smaller species. Foods to Avoid
Good Foods to Feed Your Bird There are so many foods that are great for your bird that any complete list would be enormous! I will give you a sample list here as a place to start, but feel free to offer your bird a taste of most of what you have to eat as long as it isn’t on the avoid list.
Fruits Apples-not the seeds Dairy Cheese–any kind, eaten easier if offered mixed with other foods Grains Breads–wholegrain are best Meat Chicken, turkey–include some bones, your bird will crack the bones and enjoy the marrow (vitamins B6, B12, protein, zinc) Nuts Almonds–excellent source of calcium, potassium, phosphorus Vegetables Alfalfa sprouts (calcium, magnesium, potassium, carotene)
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