Just how much is too much?

[Xavier]

Everyone knows that human saliva is deadly to birds... but how much is too much? If i'm munching on an apple, say, and Fred decides to hop on my knee and take a bite too, could the traces of spit in the chewed bits of apple harm him?

I was just wondering, because my birds always take an interest in the foods i'm eating, and not their own. Of course . So I would like to let them each have a bit as a snack... I haven't been because I know our saliva is toxic to them. Is it OK to feed the birds what i'm eating? So long as there isn't TOO much spit on the food...

Just wondering...

[Monica]

It's better if you feed them a piece that you haven't eaten off of... I can't really say how much is too much as some people regular feed their birds out of their mouths or let the birds pick at their teeth... I assume though that it could be a gradual build up of the bacteria out of our mouths...

[cfulhage]

I've started eating my fruit with a knife on hand. That way if Ollie flies over wanting a taste, I can slice her a piece. Usually when I make a meal, I give her some on her own little plate. It's better to be safe than sorry!

[Xavier]

That's funny Camille, as I was reading your post, my step-mom was suggesting the same thing...

Knife on hand. Gotcha.

[Dustin]

Just a friendly reminder!

Make sure not cut yourself/the birds or leave the knife unattended!

[jimpierce7]

boy have I got a lot to learn...... ya see I am not part of the "everybody knows" catagory.............I have not seen (or did not recognize) anything about human salive being deadly for birds!! Being as Zoey has a wild fascination with my mouth, no I dont let her eat spit, but in her cute way she tries to..... good to know info!!