Last Updated on by Catherine Tobsing
There are some birds that are easy to accommodate, and actually make excellent pet birds. Yet, no matter the species, feeding your pet bird properly should be a priority (the nutrition). What do pet birds eat: Should you give your parrot bird seed or pellets?
Collecting all of our tips on this last bit of crap Avoid being that guy or girl at all cost, the very best thing is to check with your vet for exact advice related to the sort of bird you own, age and current medical conditions.
Are Seeds Suitable for Pet Birds?
Seed diets in particular are not healthy for pets as they do not provide the full range of vitamins and minerals that your pet bird needs. “Seeds are high in fats and carbohydrates, as well — what will eventually result in obesity, heart disease and fatty liver disease,” Catherine Gwyer, director of Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary says.
If you are feeding your pet bird too many seeds you will not be providing an omnivorous diet and could cause stunting malnutrition. You know your bird is malnourished if you observe any of the following:
- Weight loss
- Loss of feather luster
- Abnormal Feathers
- Protruding keel bone
- Droppings in unconventional color and/or consistency
- Enlogated beak
What are Bird Pellets?
This includes feeds containing nutritious ingredients for pet birds (bird pellets); as in
- Corn
- Psyllium
- Soy beans
- Peanuts
- Kelp
- Spirulina
- Wheat bran
- Cooked Vegetables and Fruits
The formula and the pellets should be different, depending on the species of bird that they intend to feed.
Are Bird Pellets Good for Your Pet Bird?
Pellet bird food contains vitamins and minerals for the health of your bird, so those vitamins will be there if you simply give them a well balanced diet without exception. Who would want to eat the same daily meal? Not your bird, according to physicist Robert Lewis of Northeast Avian Rescue in Upstate New York.
“We do not generally supplement unless directed by a vet,” says Lewis. Rather, the rescue relies on its birds to eat fruits, veggies and grain supplements in addition to their pelleted meal of the day. “We have different kinds of ‘chop’, which are anything you can mix together and the birds will eat with no hesitation,” he says.
Gwyer advises a diet for pet birds should consist of:
Up to 10%- seed
60–70% pellets
20- 30% fresh food At all times make sure to research these potential toxic foods before you begin feeding them to your birds diet.
Transitioning to a Different Type of Bird Pellets
For a few birds, tail bits are easy birds or exhibitors of pellets, whereas others may have months if not years aheadwhere formality transition takes place.
So because they are prey animals, a bird parents are concerned with with anything they do not know and any time one brings pellets to their cage it is emphasised,
That latter means, for many birds, their first experience of pellets is the thrill ride where they think, “This is the poison!”Right!
And Lewis confirms there is no hurry in transitioning your bird into pellet diet as this may very well be one of the most likely steps to help your new friend thrive — by letting him demonstrate here is generally what you should do to help this go smoothly.
Offer the bird to see another bird companion in its cage chewing pellets and willing to mimic that species’ behaviour.
Introduction of pellets very slowly making them part of the diet in combination with their regular food.
As the birds come to realize the pellets in time (and they taste good to), they are more likely to willingly eat them.
If your bird isn´t eating a balanced and complete diet or is being terribly opposed to going on the pellets, ask your veterinarian about ways to be certain your bird is getting the nutrition they need.
Best Bird Foods?
The Best Food for Your Pet Bird depends on their variety and general health status. Never forget to consult your vet for the proper food choice when considering a best food for your pet.
In this case, Gwyer tends to prey on pellet bird foods with no dyes and contain very little or no preservatives that do not require refrigeration to stay fresh like:
It is all right if your bird seems to be eating and playing with their food. “Birds play with their food, so much so they will often kick the food with their rear end,” says Lewis. “This is what you would expect and it totally says nothing the bird hates the food.”
Written by Mitch Rezman and the Windy City Parrot content team
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