Download my parrot diet - companion bird world

MY
PARROT
DIET
by Carolyn
Swicegood
I like to feed as closely as possible what an animal would
consume in the wild in order to meet its dietary needs.
No one knows *exactly* what any parrot species eats in
its natural habitat, and no one knows what constitutes
the perfect diet for any parrot species. However, by
feeding a variety of nutritious and fresh foods, we can
attempt to simulate the smorgasbord of foods that
Mother Nature provides for them in the wild. All parrots
are biologically adapted to consume live foods. They eat
leaves, twigs, nuts, seeds, berries, shoots, bark, fruits,
and other vegetation in various stages of growth.
SPROUTS are an easy way for us to give our birds a
living, growing food, with many of
the enzymes and nutrients that are
found in the fresh live food that they
would eat if they were living free. If
we make our own sprouts, we can be
sure that they are not contaminated
with pesticides or
mold.
SEEDS too are a
natural food for
parrots and they
satisfy a bird's natural
feeding behavior
instincts. Somehow,
seeds got an
undeserved reputation
of being junk food, but this is absurd, in my opinion.
Only seeds and eggs are capable of growing entire new
plants and animals, and I think that says a lot for both of
them!
NUTS are a natural source of fats and the most
concentrated energy source. They are natural to the diet
of birds and allow them to work for their food.
FRUITS are eaten by virtually every parrot in the wild,
and they are a quick source of energy as well as a tasty
nutritious treat.
VEGETABLES are a wonderful source of carbohydrates
and vitamins, and the deeper the color, the more
nutrition they offer. I choose mainly the dark green and
the deep yellow/red/orange vegetables and fruits. Sweet
potatoes are one of the most nutritious foods on earth
and parrots of all ages will readily eat it, thereby getting
a good supply of Vitamin A and other valuable nutrients
as well as fiber.
BROWN RICE and BEANS together make up a complete
protein. The amino acids missing in rice are supplied by
beans, so between the two of them, they provide an
excellent protein food that birds will relish every day!
Beans should be cooked well done. Add CORN to your
brown rice and bean mix and your birds will not be able
to resist this healthy and tasty combination. I soak whole
dried corn kernels or popcorn overnight and cook it until
it plumps up to triple its size. The inside of the kernels
becomes soft and chewy and no parrot can resist!
Cooked pasta is another good carbohydrates food that
parrots relish.
EGGS are the most nearly perfect protein food. Three
times a week, my birds get hard boiled egg, shell and all.
Protein quality is expressed as biological value which
measures the rate of efficiency that protein is used for
growth. Eggs score a whopping 93.7%, higher than any
other food! In indoor aviaries, especially in the North
where parrots get little or no sunlight, they may develop
a calcium deficiency if not given supplemental D
vitamins, especially D-3. According to my vet, whole
hard boiled egg is the best source of Vitamin D, and the
calcium is in the correct ratio. Bits of well-cooked turkey
and fish also can be used to provide protein. It is thought
that most parrots in the wild eat some animal sources of
protein.
WATER is an essential part of a good diet. Chlorine and
fluoride can interfere with the assimilation of nutrients in
food, and they are chemicals that would not be found in
the water that parrots would consume in their natural
habitats. We do not know all of the ways that chemicals
affect the health of parrots and therefore should strive to
give them water that is clean, pure, and chemical free.
My favorite method of supplementing vitamins and
minerals in their fresh and natural state is to offer FRESH
JUICES made of organic fruits and vegetables. Apple and
carrot juices are the all time favorites of my birds.
Others can be used for specific nutritional and medicinal
purposes.
Because I feed such a large variety of nutrient-dense
foods, I don't feel that my birds need pellets in their diet.
I don't know enough about the long-term effects of food
coloring and preservatives to feel comfortable about
feeding pellets to my birds. There has been a lot of talk
recently about the high content of Vitamin D in pellets
causing the crystallization of kidneys. Until more is
known about this issue, I prefer not to risk the health of
my birds. I avoid using artificial additives in my family's
diet, and my birds are my extended family, so they don't
get them either.
Basically, I try to use Nature as my guide in the feeding
of my little flock, and it certainly seems to keep them
healthy. All of my birds produce big healthy babies. In
fact, my biggest problem is forcing them to take a break.
It would be almost impossible for birds on an incomplete
and unbalanced diet to continue producing healthy
offspring year after year, and remain healthy
themselves. Let Mother Nature be your guide, and Father
Time will prove her wisdom.