Avian Diet
Diet.
-
The correct diet is so important for your family pet.
-
Different bird species have different needs.
-
Most parrots require fruit and vegetables, pellets, sprouted seeds, nuts and treats.
-
Some birds like black cockatoos and gang gangs are more fussy and won't eat much pellet, so may need seed, gum nuts and casuarinas.
-
Keep in mind that just like us- birds can and do selectively eat the incorrect foods. Its important to feed the correct quantity, and the correct ratio of certain foods. For example for birds that eat fruit and vegetables the 80/20 rule applies. That is 80% vegetables and 20% fruit. Most birds should consume approximately
-
As an example an Eclectus parrot shoud be given about 1/2 cup or 125ml approximately of fruit and vegetables daily.
-
You can weigh your bird
Bird Diet
Pellet is a healthier alternative than seed for most caged parrots, which can be prone to high cholesterol if fed a mainly seed diet. Choosing the right pellet is important. We stock a range of different pellets including vetafarm (maintenance, nutriblend etc) and natural ones such as Harrisons. For a guide on pellet mixes click here.
Parrots such as Eclectus, Amazons, Macaws, Quakers, Sun conures are fruit eaters in the wild, and get much of the daily intake of vitamins and minerals by eating a variety of fruit and vegetables. The green vegetables are the highest in nutrients. Vegetables we offer year round include, beans, peas, broccoli, celery, kale, and silverbeet. When available other seasonal fruits and vegetables may be fed. Fresh sprout mixes are a great source of nutrients for your bird.
Many fruits and some vegetables are higher in sugar than others. Some such as apple and pears are okay to feed daily remembering the 80/20 rule as above.
Other food items you can give your bird a few times a week include fruit and vegetables that are a bit higher in sugar. Just give these sparingly. These are corn, carrots, potato, banana, paw paw (or other types of melon), pomegranite, mandarines or oranges (just a small amount of citrus as it can upset some birds stomachs as its high in acidity), and many others.