Feeding Intervals

[LuCkY19]

Hello,

I was just curious how everyone else fed their bird(s). It seems like most people leave the food in the cage all day. I read however that it is good to give them 'breakfast', then take the food out, then give them 'dinner'.

What are the pros and cons of both ways?

thanks

[The Outlaw]

I think it has more to do with whether or not you work. If you are an at-home parront, then you have more options. I feed my 10 parrots 3 times a day. I feed a morning birdie bread or omlette and remove uneaten food in about 2 hours, sooner in the hot months. I give a midday snack, usually in form of fruit and veggies, raw and chopped. I also remove them in about an hour. I feed the last meal about 4:30 now and that is cooked and usually consists of food we are also eating, cooked before I salt it for the humans.

I offer a few nuts every day and seed mixes on alternate days. They stay in the cage until consumed which is usually in a few hours. I have started sprouting, so that will also be offered daily, probably midday with the other fresh foods.

I do give snacks. My birds love Ritz crackers, so they get one a day. I do buy the unsalted ones. I will sometimes offer peanut butter and fresh sliced fruit sandwiches for the midday meal. I use multigrain bread.

I also sometimes fill up the treat cages with all kinds of dark green leafy veggies and pumpkin, squash or cooked sweet potatoes. I find they like to eat it when I serve the "good" stuff that way.

THE OUTLAW

[Joel]

I think if your house is cool and bug free then fine to leave food in the cages at all times, fresh of course and water changed often. However if ya have birds outside or bugs in your home or if ya keep your house warm & humid I would remove the food more often at least during the night when the creepy-crawlies come out the most. I myself want to do what I just suggested, especially with my outside birds but unfortunately don't have the time or energy to do what I know is best. I am working towards that though by trying to reduce my flock to a number that I can give the absolute best quality care to each & every day.

I got into bird collecting & breeding too quickly & deeply (bought every good deal in site back then) before I really knew what I was doing and how to properly care for birds. I have learned since then however and once I find great forever type homes for my excess flock members (the ones I'm not totally attached to emotionally) I will fully implement all my own suggestions to others.