Peanuts are bad for birds?!

[birdymomma]

OMG i didn't think they were i mean they come in almost every bird food possible i just read on a toxic for bird site that raw peanuts are bad for the birds WHATI am thinking i don't know ANYTHING about birds nutritien needs anymore I thought it was ok to feed peanuts to them i mean i realize they can't just eat peanuts but two sites so far i have seen have them listed as a no no even in small portions

[Sashagirl]

Yes you are right and it's because of the mold spore/aspergillious(sp).My flock hasn't eaten peanuts for years but there are so many other nuts they can eat that are safe for them.

Marcia

[shosh]

Hmmm...I know that lots of birdie bread recipes call for peanut butter....and naturally, they suggest the natural kind which is just peanut butter and nothing else.
My guys eat peanut butter in their birdie bread...i know other birds that do and do have the occasional peanut with no negative reactions.
Maybe it's like grapes and dogs. I used to give my doggie grapes on the occasion and she loved them....now, they say you shouldn't give your dog grapes because they can have a reaction.
Maybe some birds react and some don't???

[birdymomma]

i think it is like sasha girl said it's more due to the fungus and mold that can get on the peanuts....but that makes me wonder if shelling the peanuts and washing them off is ok

[SDavid]

So the next question would be....how common is this mold or fungus? Is it only found occasionally on old peanuts or peanuts obtained from a bad source?

Has anyone heard of a bird getting sick from eating peanuts?

[birdymomma]

Originally Posted by SDavid

So the next question would be....how common is this mold or fungus? Is it only found occasionally on old peanuts or peanuts obtained from a bad source?

Has anyone heard of a bird getting sick from eating peanuts?

awesome question i haven't heard of birds getting sick from them I just came across it surfing the net...i also found a site stating NOT to feed your birds strawberries due to the amounts of pestisides

[DarwinTheSun]

I have heard that the fungus is very common, and it does not matter the source. Peanuts just happen to be very susceptible to the fungus because they grow in the ground. Birds can and do develop aspergillious infections all the time, but you would have to get a necropsy to find out (or catch it in time at the vets). Not only that, but you cant even see it! So it seems like a total crap shoot.
My bird doesn't get any peanuts either. Instead we keep shelled almonds, walnuts, and pistachios for him to chomp through.

I am very picky when it comes to organic things, but strawberries are a MUST for everybody. They do retain pesticides and I will never feed them to my bird or even eat them myself. Likewise with peppers, feed only organic for the same reasons.

[Sashagirl]

You know with the peanuts I have heard so many people question them.Some have even said human grade is safe.Well guess what a peanut is a
peanut whether it human grade or not they are all grown the same way and the risk is still there.Better safe than sorry.Mold is bad for our birds and washing it off will not make it go away.Why should anyone take the risk?

Marcia

[Lisa B]

The Grey Roost

[shosh]

What about peanut butter???
The pure kind....I've never heard bad things about it with respect to birds?

I try to only give my guys organic foods, period. That included any leafy greens, carrots,etc.....even if you wash the regular kind, it isn't a good idea.