Yogurt for 'tiels

[Lady Kakata]

(Because I was cluttering up a thread about pellets with this kind of question)

I am surprised that you may feed yogurt to cockatiels, as everything else I have ever read about cockatiel feeding basically says no dairy, ever, due to digestion issues

But since apparently you CAN feed it to tiels, what kinds? I know I'm a UK owner but a lot of companies sell the same product under different names in different countries.

What should I look for in a yogurt?
How can I be sure that it's okay for the girls?
How should I give it to them? What ways work for other owners?
How often is safe enough? Is it akin to the boiled egg I give them as a treat once-in-a-while?

[Monica]

Hard cheeses are also safe to feed to feed to birds - in small amounts. However, I do not feed cheese.

As for yogurt, usually plain yogurt with live cultures. It should say on the container. If you can't find it in your regular sotres, go to a health food store. Look for yogurts that have low amounts to no sugar (if possible). Give to your tiels however they'll eat it! I usually mix seeds and pellets together in yogurt so the birds have to pick through the yogurt to eat the other foods.

How often? Not sure if it's possible to do too often, but I would assume a few times a week wouldn't hurt. Cooked (not necessarily boiled) eggs can be fed up to a few times a week.

[pippy]

I know nothing about 'Tiels but my Greys absolutely LOVE fromage frais!

I'm in the UK and I buy PLUM ORGANIC BABY FROMAGE FRAIS from Sainsburys.

Video clip of Mojo and Shinda enjoying some HERE!

[chapala]

Non-fat plain yogurt is what you want, and the amount to feed is very small if you choose to feed it. About 1/8 tsp. per 'Tiel once or twice a week. Parrots don't do as well on animal protein as plant protein (combination of grains and legumes = complete protein). For those living in the U.S., Stonyfield Farms non-fat plain yogurt with vitamin D3 added is the best choice.

[Lady Kakata]

I couldn't find plain yogurt in my local supermarket, but the yogurt I bought for myself is this one

Yeo Valley Organic - Organic Fat Free Strawberry Yogurt - Yeo Valley Organic Products

I can't really find the sugar content on it. Yay or nay for trying it with the girls?

[chapala]

Well, unless I could see the list of ingredients to determine there's no sugar or sugar substitute, I wouldn't feed it.

[Monica]

*Shrugs*

Calories in Yeo Valley - Yoghurt

Calories in Yeo Valley Fat Free Probiotic Yogurt Strawberry - Calories and Nutrition Facts

[Lady Kakata]

Ingredients: Organic Wholemilk Yogurt (84%), Organic Strawberries (8%), Organic Sugar, Organic Tapioca Starch, Natural Flavouring, Organic Concentrated Lemon Juice

[chapala]

I personally wouldn't feed anything with sugar to parrots, an unnecesssary food that adds calories and takes the place of the nutritious food they need. Now, does that mean a tiny amount will hurt? Probably not, your choice.

Oops, I just saw that it's whole milk yogurt. I definitely would not feed it, only non-fat. The fat from milk is animal fat, and not healthy for parrots. I had looked at Monica's link which had fat-free strawberry yogurt. Whole milk yogurt really isn't appropriate for parrots at all.

[Lady Kakata]

Odd, it's the same yogurt. Because the dogs are all locked up for the night, I can't really go downstairs and get my carton to have a look, I got the ingrediant list from a shopping site. It says on the carton 'non fat'.

Oh well, just means more for me! XD

So the basic things I should look for when shopping for a potential yogurt for my 'tiels are:

o - Non-fat / not whole milk
o - No sugar
o - Probiotic or live (same thing, different word)
o - Plain? Optional?