FOODS
by Dee Hayston

Reprinted from the Avian Network

With permission from Dee

Check with your avian breeder and/or veterinarian for the best diet for the species of bird you have chosen. Fresh foods daily are a wonderful way to insure your birds' health along with the seeds, fruits, pellets** and other types of species specific foods recommended. Feed your birds a variety of the following fresh foods: carrots, corn on the cob, broccoli, zucchini, squash, bell peppers (they love the seeds), fresh jalapenos, cucumbers, cauliflower, tomatoes, spinach, peas in the pod, green beans, greens (mustard, turnip, collard, dandelion), radishes, apples (no seeds please), grapes (go easy on these loaded with sugars), kale, squash, pumpkin (seeds are ok) kiwi, bananas, plums, strawberries, blackberries, melons, mango, guava, papaya, peaches, pears, nectarines, peaches and some citrus (more if species tolerates)...there are fruit/veggie washes on the market available to be sure your fresh feedings are safe ones and many purchase "organic" where they can. Most fruit pits should not be fed to your birds. The following cooked foods should also be made available (choose frozen over canned, due to freshness, nutrition value and salt content): eggs (hard boiled or scrambled), potatoes, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, yams, rice, pasta, macaroni, peas, beets, legumes of all types, cabbage, turnips and almost anything you eat which does not contain the following: a great deal of dairy, avocados, apple seeds (remove all pits and seeds from fruits), asparagus (can cause digestive problems), butter, caffeine, chocolate, egg plant, milk/cream, olives, raw peanuts, rhubarb, salt and salty foods, nicotine, carbonated beverages, junk food including Twinkies and anything unhealthy for us!

Also, please do not add vitamins or nutrients to food or water without specific advise from your veterinarian. When you first bring your bird home make sure he is drinking and eating. If he doesn't eat everything you've put out for him don't be disturbed….as long as he/she is eating a variety of things they will, over time, develop tastes for much of what you feed. Keep presenting a variety and don't give up. There are those who believe birds will instinctively eat more of some foods than others because they know what nutrients they need or are lacking. The more diversity you offer the better chance that your birds dietetic needs will be met. Remove most fresh foods within two hours of feeding and leave fresh water, seed, dehydrated fruits/veggies and pellets (if you feed these) available for your bird to forage throughout the day.  

**Boester’s notes:For our parrotlets we do not feed pellets and we only use bottled or slightly diluted RO water.

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