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[ Systems | Husbandry | Nutrition | Food Sources | Diseases | Emergency Care ]
Food Sources
The most common foods fed to psittacines include seed mixes, pelleted foods, fruits
and vegetables, and human foodstuffs. Supplements are often added, such as: vitamins,
minerals, grit, calcium and other animal foods (i.e. monkey chow, dog kibble). The
main points to remember are that the food must be palatable, nutritious, and resist
spoilage.
1. Seed mixes- These usually contain combinations of sunflower, safflower,
peanuts, corn, millet, wheat, canary, rape, flax, poppy, sesame, pumpkin seeds, etc.
Some mixes contain vitamins and calcium block pieces, while others contain dried
fruits and vegetables. The calcium and mineral content of seed mixes is generally
very low as is the protein and vitamin levels. Most seeds are especially low in Vitamin
A and very high in fat. In many birds, all seed diets lead to bone disease, obesity,
liver disease and oral and nasal abscesses. Supplement seed diets daily with fruits
and vegetables, calcium sources and vitamins. The greatest advantage of seed diets
is their convenience.
2. Pelleted foods- Pelleted diets may be developed for psittacines only or
may include items such as dog kibble, monkey chow or rodent chow. Monkey chow and
some dog kibbles have proven to be very nutritious diets for adult and baby psittacines
(if ground up and hand fed). There have been some recent special diets developed
for different disease syndromes. To date, there does not exist a single diet suitable
for all psittacines species. Many birds do well on pelleted foods supplemented with
fruits and vegetables but few birds will thrive fed only pelleted foods. All pelleted
diets should be supplemented with occasional seed mixes, daily fresh fruits and vegetables
and a mineral block or cuttlebone.
3. Fruits and Vegetables- Different fruits and vegetables can be used to adjust
weight, vitamin/calcium/mineral intake, water, protein and fat intake. Legumes (peas,
beans) generally contain more protein than other vegetables. Coconut, papaya and
mango are high in calories from fat and carbohydrates. Fruits which are orange and
yellow tend to contain higher amounts of ß-carotene which is converted to Vitamin
A. The highest concentration of ß-carotene is found in carrots but, sweet potatoes,
pumpkin, cantaloupe, peaches and papaya are good alternatives. Kale, broccoli, chard
tops and collard greens are fairly good sources of calcium.
4. Human foods- Generally, if you eat very healthfully, most foods you eat
can be fed to your parrot. The following items are not recommended:
Uncultured dairy products- Since birds are not mammals, they lack the enzymes needed
to break down milk protiens and sugars.
- Fatty foods- High fat diets
predispose birds to obesity and fatty liver disease.
- Lettuce- Lettuce provides
few calories, vitamins or minerals. Kale, spinach, bok choy and carrot tops are leafy
alternatives.
- Avocado- Research has shown
that avocado may be toxic to some psittacines.
- Sugar foods- Frostings, candy,
soda, etc. are unacceptable as part of an avian diet.
5. Vitamins/Minerals-
Vitamin powders may be added to the seed mix, sprinkled on fruits and vegetables,
mixed into the drinking water and injected or force fed. Many products are available,
such as Avicon and Super Preen powders. Avitron is a good liquid vitamin for the
water but forms a "scudge" in the water container. Mineral supplements
are seldom needed if the bird eats fruits and vegetables but can be added in the
form of powder. Vionate and bone meal are good sources of mineral supplements. Calcium
deficiency is common in pet birds, due mainly to all seed diets and persistent egg-laying.
It can be supplemented in many ways. Bone meal, vitamin D-calcium-phosphorous powders,
crushed oyster shell, dried milk powder, cuttlebones, mineral blocks and some vegetables
supply calcium. Alternatively, calcium water medication is available but it is expensive
and used primarily for disease conditions such as persistent egg laying and fractures.
Even if a bird never uses a cuttlebone or mineral block, one should always be provided
in the cage. If the bird destroys mineral blocks, try putting larger mineral bricks
in the cage or feed a mix which contains smaller chunks of mineral blocks and cuttlebone.
6. Grit- The necessity of grit in the psittacine diet is debatable. Grit is
made of small stones and facilitates grinding of the food in the bird's gizzard (ventriculus).
Birds which do not hull or crack their seed, such as pigeons and poultry, definitely
require grit. Psittacines usually do not require grit in their diet since the gizzard
is able to grind the soft, hulled seeds. Budgies, cockatiels and other small psittacines
often do better if they are offered occasional grit (a pinch) three to four times
a year since they eat mainly seeds and not many softer fruits and vegetables. Grit
should be limited in most psittacines and not offered free choice.
7. Treats- Chew toys, nuts, etc. are all fine if offered only occasionally
as treats. They are often high in sugar but provide entertainment for the bird. If
you feel your bird deserves a treat, give it nutritious food and a lot of attention.
[ Systems | Husbandry | Nutrition | Food Sources | Diseases | Emergency Care ]
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