Here are some links to great birdie recipes and other diet information you and your birds will enjoy! |
Diet is one of the most confusing topics for bird guardians to find accurate information on. To feed pellets or not to feed, to feed seeds or not to... what's a person to do? Malnutrition is still the number one cause of death in companion parrots! My first piece of advice would be to confer with an experienced Avian Veterinarian to determine the best diet for your particular bird. Unfortunately, the field of Avian Medicine has not quite caught up with the booming captive parrot population. There is simply not enough information available yet on what the perfect diet is for parrots. I believe that different species most likely have different dietary requirements, and what you feed your Amazon may not be best for your African Grey. Your Avian Vet should always be your first stop on your quest for information regarding diet. He or she has studied birds and their needs a lot longer than anyone on the internet. Dr. Alicia McWatters is an Avian Nutritionist working in New Mexico. She has written numerous articles on Avian Nutrition. Many of these can be found at http://www.parrothouse.com/McWatter.html If you would like a consultation with Dr. McWatters, she can be reached at (505) 281-5168 (by appointment only) and http://www.parrothouse.com/holserv.html. Dr. McWatters advocates a diet of fresh, human-grade foods as opposed to pellets. It is important to purchase organic produce, as birds should not be exposed to pesticides that are used by many commercial farmers. If you cannot find organic produce, it is imperative that you wash the produce thoroughly in a solution of apple cider vinegar, or one of the products on the market to clean vegetables. I personally use a lot of frozen vegetables in the interest of time. Canned vegetables should not be used due to the high salt content. Read Sally Blanchard's article A Healthy Parrot Diet for a good overview of nutritional issues.. If you choose to use pellets, be aware that many pellets contain artificial ingredients that birds' bodies may not tolerate well. These include artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Do you have Pet Insurance? Check it out at www.petinsurance.com! Check out Holistic Bird.org for information on natural remedies and dietary supplements. Buy Rescue Remedy at arrowroot.com! Great for Vet visits, nervous birds, etc. |
The following is a list of popular pellets and the artificial ingredients they may contain. More information can be found at the following website that provides a Comparison of Avian Pellet Manufacturers Abba & Abba 1500A=ethoxyquin, artificial color and flavor Avi-Sci Parrot Maintenance Pellets=ethoxyquin Hagen Tropical Pellets= natural color, salt Hagen Tropical High performance Pellets=natural flavor, salt Harrison's Pellets=organic Kaytee Pellets=ethoxyquin, artificial color, natural favlor, salt, bht or bha Kellog Pellets=ethoxyquin, artificial flavor, salt Lafeber Pellets=ethoxyquin Lafeber Nutriberries=ethoxyquin Lefeber Avi Cake Treats=ethoxyquin L&M Pellets=ethoxyquin, artificial color and flavor Pretty Bird Pellets=ethoxyquin, artifical flavor, salt, added sugar, BHT or BHA Roudybush Pellets=ethoxyquin ZuPreem Pellets= all-natural, sugar Breeders Blend Pellets-artificial flavor, salt Scenic=salt Goldenfeast (natural state food)=all natural approx. 23 ingredients Noah's Kingdom (natural state food)=all human grade 47 ingredients Note: Nearly all pellets have synthetic vitamins and minerals and are heat processed so the nutrient value is substantially gone by the time our birds eat it. Ethoxyquin is listed and identified as a hazardous chemical by OSHA. It has a rating of 3 on a scale of 1 to 6 with 6 being super toxic requiring less than 7 drops to cause death. When mfg. by Monsanto, the containers are marked with the word POISON. The Dept. of Ag. lists and controls Ethoxyquin as a pesticide. The US FDA has announced that ethoxyquin, as currently regulated is no longer safe for use in dog food. Ethoxyquin promotes kidney carcinogenesis, significantly increases the incidence of stomach tumors, enhanced bladder carcinogenesis and urinary bladder carcinogenesis. Cancers of this type are the most lethal and fastest acting, the swiftest effects being seen among animals. Artificial colors: Most people are aware of toxic side effects of artificial colors and flavors from coal tar derivatives such as Red #40, a possible carcinogen and Yellow #6, which causes sensitivity to fatal viruses in animals. BHA/BHT: Petroleum products used to stabilize fats in foods. In the process of metabolizing BHA and BHT, chemical changes occur in the body. These changes have caused reduced growth rates and white blood cell stimulation. Pets can exhibit reactions such as skin blisters, hemorrhaging of the eye, weakness, discomfort in breathing, a reduction of the body's own antioxidant enzyme and may cause cancer. According to Dr. Wendell Belfield, DVM for some 26 years, both BHA and BHT are known to cause liver and kidney dysfunction and are banned in some European countries. Pesticides: Found just about everywhere, they are altering our genetic makeup and producing animal and bird mutations. Most obvious is the assault to our pets health, manifesting itself as cancer. The EPA now considers many previously approved chemicals to be potentially carcinogenic - 60% of all herbicides, 90% of all fungicides and 30% of all insecticides currently being used by farmers. And the pesticides that are banned in this country are shipped to foreign countries who use them on their agriculture and then ship that food back to us for consumption!!! The fruits and veggies most susceptible to contamination from pesticides are listed in the order of highest risk of contamination: strawberries, bell peppers (green, red, yellow), spinach, cherries, peaches, cantaloupe (from Mexico), celery, apples, apricots, green beans, grapes and cucumbers. Propylene Glycol: used as a de-icing fluid for airplanes, this chemical is added to food and skin products to maintain texture and moisture as well as inhibiting bacteria growth. It also inhibits the growth of friendly bacteria in the digestive system by decreasing the amount of moisture in the intestinal tract leading to constipation and cancer. It can affect the liver and kidneys and causes the destruction of red blood cells. Read your labels, on your food and beauty products, as well as your birdie treats. This stuff is everywhere! Salt: added as a preservative, salt can irritate the stomach lining, cause increased thirst and aggravate heart and kidney problems through fluid retention. Sodium Nitrite: used in the curing of meats, this substance participates in a chemical reaction in the body that becomes carcinogenic. It is used also in pet foods to add color. Sugar and other sweeteners: most common are beet sugar, corn sugar, molasses and sucrose. Used as preservatives and have the side effect of creating sugar addicts in pets. They require almost no digestion and are rapidly absorbed into the blood streatm. They provide sugar highs and subsequent lows (moodiness), inhibit the proper growth of friendly intestinal bacteria and virtually shut down the digestive system while being processed. Also contribute to diabetes and hypoglycemia, cataract development, obesity and arthritis. Note on feather plucking: There are several dietary considerations. One is the presence of salt in the diet. Many parrots consultants believe that artifical colors and preservatives contribute to feather grooming disorders. You may also want to consider that your bird may have an allergic reaction to some artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Our bird's health is only as good as the strength of their immune system. By enhancing their diets and eliminating the toxic elements in their food and water and air (smoke from cigarettes, burning food, chemical cleaning agents, candles, chemical coatings on cookware, irons, toasters, etc.), we can greatly strengthen their immune systems. Birds have a high metabolic rate and parrots require a diet rich in complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, legumes, fruits and veggies with their abundance of vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Enzymes are found in fresh, uncooked foods (not found in heat processed pellets). Enzymes assist in proper digestion, maintaining health and proper metabolic function. The dry, convenient pellets have been denatured, then the essential synthetic nutrients are added back. They are devoid of enzymes which are life promoting elements. While they may maintain life, they do not promote optimum health or longevity. They also produce increased absorption of water from the digestive system, water than is not easily replaced by just drinking. . Also something I just ran into recently and have just started writing about is the use of dried fruits in many of our bird mixes. All of the dried fruit is preserved with sulphur dioxide which gives it a very rich pleaseable color. Now because the people that sell bird food usually only mix bags of ingredients together to make a completed mix, by law they can say that there are no additives or preservatives because they did not do the adding but where they buy their dried fruits do add this chemical. Naturally dried fruits have a shelf life of approx. 4-5 weeks, while preserved with sulphur dioxide the fruit will last up to a year and we don't know the long term effects. The "HACSG" (Hyperactive Children's Support Group) strongly recommends not to use this with children and it can cause allergic reactions as well, goodness knows what it could do to our birds. Could be one reason some of our birds are plucking or picking feathers. Now the manufacturers will tell you its harmless but my research tells me to keep this away from our fragile birds. Joan Cirino Check out Joan's new line of natural bird food, Avian Naturals! |
Household Safety Please print out this list and put it on the refrigerator. It pays to have it handy when you need to have a question answered fast. This information is NOT copyrighted, as it is public domain. Feel free to cut and paste to your hearts content. The more people that have this information on their web sites, the safer our birds are. Safe Branches The following SAFE PLANTS are not safe if they have had toxic chemicals or insectides sprayed on them. Before using them, scrub the branches with a non-toxic disinfectant (such as diluted chlorine bleach), then rinse and dry well. ALMOND, APPLE, ASH, CITRUS, DOGWOOD, ELM, EUCALPTUS, GUAVA, MADRONA, MAGNOLIEA, NUT (except chestnut and oak), PAPAYA, PEAR, PINE, PRUNE, RIBBONWOOD, SASSAFRAS, THURLOW, VINE MAPLE, PUSSY WILLOW, WEEPING WILLOW Safe Plants ACACIA, ALOE, AFRICAN VIOLET, BABY'S TEARS, BAMBOO, BEGONIA, BOUGANVILLEA, CHICKWEEK, CHRISTMAS, CACTUS, CISSUS, COLEUS, CORN PLANT, CRABAPPLE, DANDELION,DOGWOOD DONKEY TAIL, DRACAENA, FERNS (ASPARAGUS, BIRD'S NEST, BOSTON AND MAIDENHAIR), FIGS, GARDENIA, GRPAE IVY, HEN AND CHICKENS, JADE PLANT, KALANCHOE, MAGNOLIA, MARIGOLDS, MONKEY PLANT, MOTHER-IN-LAW TONGUE, NASTURTIUM, NATAL PLUM, NORFILK ISLAND PINE, pALMS (ARECA, DATE, FAN, LADY PARLOUR, HOWEIA, KENTIA, PHOWNIX, SAGO), PEPPEROMIA, PETUNIA, PITTOSPORUM, PRAYER PLANT, PURPLE PASSION, SCHEFFLERA, SENSITIVE PLANT, SPIDER PLANT, SWEEDISH IVY, THISTLES, UMBRELLA PLANT, VELVET NETTLES, WANDERING JEW (GREEN, VARIEGATED AND PURPLE), WHITE CLOVER, ZEBRA PLANT Toxic Plants ANGEL'S TRUMPET, ARUM LILLY,AMARYLLIS, AUTUMN CROCUS, AUSTRALIAN FLAMETREE, AVACADO, AZALEA, BANEBERRY, BEANS(CASTOR, HORSE, FAVA, BROAD, GLORY, SCARLET RUNNER, MESCAL, NAVY), BIRDS OF PARADISE, BISHOP'S WEED, BLACK LAUREL, BLEEDING HEART, BLOODROOT, BLUEBONNET, BLUEGREEN ALGAE, BOXWOOD, BRAKEN FERN, BUCKTHORN, BULB FLOWERS (ie; tulips, daffodils, narcissus and hyacinth), BURDOCK, BUTTERCUPS, CACAO, CAMEL BUSH, CASTOR BEAN, CALADIUM, CANA LILY,CARDINAL FLOWER, CHALICE OR TRUMPET VINE, CHERRY TREE, CHINA BERRY TREE, CHRISTMAS CANDLE, CLEMATIS, COCKLEBUR, COFFEE AND COFFEE BEANS, CORAL PLANT, CORIANDER, CORNCOCKLE, COYATILLO, COWSLIP, CUTLEAF, PHILODRENDON, DAPHNE, DEATH CAMUS, DELPHINUM, DEVIL'S IVY, DIEFFENBACHIA, , ELDERBERRY, ELEPHANT'S EAR, ENGLISH IVY, ERGOT, EUCALPTUS (DRIED, DYED OR TREATED IN FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS), EUONYMUS (SPINDLE TREE), EUPHORBIA CACTUS, FALSE HELLEBORE, FLAME TREE, FELT PLANT, FIG (WEEPING), FIRE THORN, FOUR O'CLOCK, FOXGLOVE, GLOTTIDIUM, GOLDEN CHAIN, GRASSES (JOHNSON, SORGHUM, SUDAN & BROOM CORN), GROUND CHERRY, HEATHS(ie; rhododendron), LAURELS, HELIOTROPE, HEMLOCK, HENBANE, HOLLIES, HONEYSUCKLE, HORSE CHESTNUT, HORSE TAIL, HYACINTH, HYDRANGEA, IRIS, IVY, JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT, JASMINE, JERUSALEM CHERRY, JOMSONWEED, JUNIPER, LANTANA, LARKSPUR, LILY OF THE VALLEY, LOBELIA, LOCOWEED, LOCUSTS, LORDS AND LADIES, LUPINE, MALANGA, MARIJUANA, MAYAPPLE, MEXICAN BREADFRUIT, MEXICAN POPPY, MILKWEED, MISTLETOE, MOCK ORANGE, MONKSHOOD, MOONSEED, MORNING GLORY, MOUNTAIN LAUREL, MUSHROOMS, NARCISSUS, NIGHTSHADES (ie: eggplant),OAK, OLEANDER, PARSLEY, PERIWINKLE, PHILODRENDONS, PIGWEED, POINCIANA, POISON IVY, POISON OAK, POKEWEED, POTATO SHOOTS, POTHOS, PRIVET HEDGE, PYRACANTHA, RAIN TREE, RANUNCULUS, RAPE, RATTLEBOS, RED MAPLE, RHUBARB LEAVES, RHODODENDRONS, SAND BOX TREE, SKENK CABBAGE, SORREL, SNOW DROP, WPURGES, SWEET PEA, TANSY/RAGWORT, TOBACCO, VETCH, VIRGINIA CREEPER, WATTLE, WEEPING FIG, WHITE CEDAR, CHINA BERRY, WISTERIA, YEWS, YELLOW JASMINE Household Poisons/Toxins ALCOHOL, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS, AMMONIA, ANTIFREEZE, ANT SYRUP, PASTE OR GRANULES, ARSENIC, ASBESTOS, AUTO WAX, BATHROOM CLENSERS, BLEACH, BORIC ACID, CAMPHONIQUE, CARBON MONOXIDE, CARPET CLEANERS OR FRESHNERS, CHARCOAL STARTER FLUID, CHLORDANE, CHLORINE, CIGARETTE/CIGAR SMOKE, CLINITEST TABLETS, COPPER CXLEANER, CORN AND WART REMOVERS, DEODERANTS, DEGERGENTS, DIAZINON, DISINFECTANTS, DRAIN UNCLOGGERS, EPOXY, FEBREZE, FELT TIP MARKERS, FLEA PRODUCTS, FLOOR WAX, FORMALDEHYDE/FORMALIN, FURNITURE POLISHES/WAXES, GARDEN SPRAYS, GASOLINE, GUN OIL, HAIR DYES AND SPRAYS, HERBICIDES, INSECTICIDES, IODINE, KEROSENE, LIGHTER FLUID, lYE, MATCHES, LELALEUCA OIL, MODEL (HOUSEHOLD) CEMENT/GLUE, MOTHBALLS, MURIATIC ACID, MUSHROOMS, NAIL POLISH/ REMOVER, NITROGEN DIOXIDE, OVEN CLEANERS, OVERHEATED TEFLON/SILVERSTONE/NON-STICK COOKWARE, PAINT, PAINT THINNERS, PERFUMES/AFTERSHAVES, PERMANENT WAVE SOLUTIONS, PESTICIDES, PHOTO DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS, PINE OIL, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, RODENTCIDES, RUBBING ALCOHOL, SCENTED CANDLES, SHAVING LOTIONS, SHELLAC, SHOE POLISH, SNAIL BAIT (INCLUDING BEER), SPOT REMOVERS,SPRAY STARCH, STRYCHNINE, SULFURIC ACID, SUPER GLUE, SUNTAN LOTIONS/OILS, SURGICAL ACRYLICS, TEA TREE OIL, TURPENTINE, WAX, WEED KILLERS, WINDOW CLEANERS, WOOD PRESERVATIVES |
The following is a list of popular pellets and the artificial ingredients they may contain. More information can be found at the following website that provides a Comparison of Avian Pellet Manufacturers Abba & Abba 1500A=ethoxyquin, artificial color and flavor Avi-Sci Parrot Maintenance Pellets=ethoxyquin Hagen Tropical Pellets= natural color, salt Hagen Tropical High performance Pellets=natural flavor, salt Harrison's Pellets=organic Kaytee Pellets=ethoxyquin, artificial color, natural favlor, salt, bht or bha Kellog Pellets=ethoxyquin, artificial flavor, salt Lafeber Pellets=ethoxyquin Lafeber Nutriberries=ethoxyquin Lefeber Avi Cake Treats=ethoxyquin L&M Pellets=ethoxyquin, artificial color and flavor Pretty Bird Pellets=ethoxyquin, artifical flavor, salt, added sugar, BHT or BHA Roudybush Pellets=ethoxyquin ZuPreem Pellets= all-natural, sugar Breeders Blend Pellets-artificial flavor, salt Scenic=salt Goldenfeast (natural state food)=all natural approx. 23 ingredients Noah's Kingdom (natural state food)=all human grade 47 ingredients Note: Nearly all pellets have synthetic vitamins and minerals and are heat processed so the nutrient value is substantially gone by the time our birds eat it. Ethoxyquin is listed and identified as a hazardous chemical by OSHA. It has a rating of 3 on a scale of 1 to 6 with 6 being super toxic requiring less than 7 drops to cause death. When mfg. by Monsanto, the containers are marked with the word POISON. The Dept. of Ag. lists and controls Ethoxyquin as a pesticide. The US FDA has announced that ethoxyquin, as currently regulated is no longer safe for use in dog food. Ethoxyquin promotes kidney carcinogenesis, significantly increases the incidence of stomach tumors, enhanced bladder carcinogenesis and urinary bladder carcinogenesis. Cancers of this type are the most lethal and fastest acting, the swiftest effects being seen among animals. Artificial colors: Most people are aware of toxic side effects of artificial colors and flavors from coal tar derivatives such as Red #40, a possible carcinogen and Yellow #6, which causes sensitivity to fatal viruses in animals. BHA/BHT: Petroleum products used to stabilize fats in foods. In the process of metabolizing BHA and BHT, chemical changes occur in the body. These changes have caused reduced growth rates and white blood cell stimulation. Pets can exhibit reactions such as skin blisters, hemorrhaging of the eye, weakness, discomfort in breathing, a reduction of the body's own antioxidant enzyme and may cause cancer. According to Dr. Wendell Belfield, DVM for some 26 years, both BHA and BHT are known to cause liver and kidney dysfunction and are banned in some European countries. Pesticides: Found just about everywhere, they are altering our genetic makeup and producing animal and bird mutations. Most obvious is the assault to our pets health, manifesting itself as cancer. The EPA now considers many previously approved chemicals to be potentially carcinogenic - 60% of all herbicides, 90% of all fungicides and 30% of all insecticides currently being used by farmers. And the pesticides that are banned in this country are shipped to foreign countries who use them on their agriculture and then ship that food back to us for consumption!!! The fruits and veggies most susceptible to contamination from pesticides are listed in the order of highest risk of contamination: strawberries, bell peppers (green, red, yellow), spinach, cherries, peaches, cantaloupe (from Mexico), celery, apples, apricots, green beans, grapes and cucumbers. Propylene Glycol: used as a de-icing fluid for airplanes, this chemical is added to food and skin products to maintain texture and moisture as well as inhibiting bacteria growth. It also inhibits the growth of friendly bacteria in the digestive system by decreasing the amount of moisture in the intestinal tract leading to constipation and cancer. It can affect the liver and kidneys and causes the destruction of red blood cells. Read your labels, on your food and beauty products, as well as your birdie treats. This stuff is everywhere! Salt: added as a preservative, salt can irritate the stomach lining, cause increased thirst and aggravate heart and kidney problems through fluid retention. Sodium Nitrite: used in the curing of meats, this substance participates in a chemical reaction in the body that becomes carcinogenic. It is used also in pet foods to add color. Sugar and other sweeteners: most common are beet sugar, corn sugar, molasses and sucrose. Used as preservatives and have the side effect of creating sugar addicts in pets. They require almost no digestion and are rapidly absorbed into the blood streatm. They provide sugar highs and subsequent lows (moodiness), inhibit the proper growth of friendly intestinal bacteria and virtually shut down the digestive system while being processed. Also contribute to diabetes and hypoglycemia, cataract development, obesity and arthritis. Note on feather plucking: There are several dietary considerations. One is the presence of salt in the diet. Many parrots consultants believe that artifical colors and preservatives contribute to feather grooming disorders. You may also want to consider that your bird may have an allergic reaction to some artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Our bird's health is only as good as the strength of their immune system. By enhancing their diets and eliminating the toxic elements in their food and water and air (smoke from cigarettes, burning food, chemical cleaning agents, candles, chemical coatings on cookware, irons, toasters, etc.), we can greatly strengthen their immune systems. Birds have a high metabolic rate and parrots require a diet rich in complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, legumes, fruits and veggies with their abundance of vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Enzymes are found in fresh, uncooked foods (not found in heat processed pellets). Enzymes assist in proper digestion, maintaining health and proper metabolic function. The dry, convenient pellets have been denatured, then the essential synthetic nutrients are added back. They are devoid of enzymes which are life promoting elements. While they may maintain life, they do not promote optimum health or longevity. They also produce increased absorption of water from the digestive system, water than is not easily replaced by just drinking. . Also something I just ran into recently and have just started writing about is the use of dried fruits in many of our bird mixes. All of the dried fruit is preserved with sulphur dioxide which gives it a very rich pleaseable color. Now because the people that sell bird food usually only mix bags of ingredients together to make a completed mix, by law they can say that there are no additives or preservatives because they did not do the adding but where they buy their dried fruits do add this chemical. Naturally dried fruits have a shelf life of approx. 4-5 weeks, while preserved with sulphur dioxide the fruit will last up to a year and we don't know the long term effects. The "HACSG" (Hyperactive Children's Support Group) strongly recommends not to use this with children and it can cause allergic reactions as well, goodness knows what it could do to our birds. Could be one reason some of our birds are plucking or picking feathers. Now the manufacturers will tell you its harmless but my research tells me to keep this away from our fragile birds. Joan Cirino Check out Joan's new line of natural bird food, Avian Naturals! |
Diet is one of the most confusing topics for bird guardians to find accurate information on. To feed pellets or not to feed, to feed seeds or not to... what's a person to do? Malnutrition is still the number one cause of death in companion parrots! My first piece of advice would be to confer with an experienced Avian Veterinarian to determine the best diet for your particular bird. Unfortunately, the field of Avian Medicine has not quite caught up with the booming captive parrot population. There is simply not enough information available yet on what the perfect diet is for parrots. I believe that different species most likely have different dietary requirements, and what you feed your Amazon may not be best for your African Grey. Your Avian Vet should always be your first stop on your quest for information regarding diet. He or she has studied birds and their needs a lot longer than anyone on the internet. Dr. Alicia McWatters is an Avian Nutritionist working in New Mexico. She has written numerous articles on Avian Nutrition. Many of these can be found at http://www.parrothouse.com/McWatter.html If you would like a consultation with Dr. McWatters, she can be reached at (505) 281-5168 (by appointment only) and http://www.parrothouse.com/holserv.html. Dr. McWatters advocates a diet of fresh, human-grade foods as opposed to pellets. It is important to purchase organic produce, as birds should not be exposed to pesticides that are used by many commercial farmers. If you cannot find organic produce, it is imperative that you wash the produce thoroughly in a solution of apple cider vinegar, or one of the products on the market to clean vegetables. I personally use a lot of frozen vegetables in the interest of time. Canned vegetables should not be used due to the high salt content. Read Sally Blanchard's article A Healthy Parrot Diet for a good overview of nutritional issues.. If you choose to use pellets, be aware that many pellets contain artificial ingredients that birds' bodies may not tolerate well. These include artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Do you have Pet Insurance? Check it out at www.petinsurance.com! Check out Holistic Bird.org for information on natural remedies and dietary supplements. Buy Rescue Remedy at arrowroot.com! Great for Vet visits, nervous birds, etc. |
Diet and Nutrition |
Here are some links to great birdie recipes and other diet information you and your birds will enjoy! |
