Just some general advice on some Do Nots on a Bird's Diet

[jbwillims2000]

Hey everyone . I'm new and probably going to make some people angry. I have been breeding birds for almost 35 years. I received most of my training from the United States Government. A longtime freind got his degree in Ornatholigy and went to work for the Federal Government monitering and educating chicken farms in the Southeastern States on the care and proper feeding of captive birds. You see captive birds Do Not eat the foods that would be familar and healthy for them .They should be treated as high blood pressure patients. While giving them all of the good foods that we can we must remember to give them the widest variety that is possible . They will let you know what they can and can't eat. Seriously ! Most birds will react to small amounts of "treats" well, and if you are a good caregiver you will notice the little things ... Do they want a drink right away after a treat ? Well that means that your bird is telling you that ... this isn't all that good for me , But I like it ! I know what it takes to eat certain foods that I like and I also know what I have to do to tolerate those foods.In South America there is a variety of parrots that only eat toxic foods ...and then they go to clay cliffs to eat clay to counter act the toxic food that they eat. You to can learn from me ( your bird) if you just pay attention to my behavior. I will let you know that I need a little seed after a certain snack to thin the toxins, or maybe a big drink afterwards .Maybe I have to have some vegtables that I like afterwards.
All of my birds that I have raised and have advised the caregivers on the Happiest way for the birds. Is... Breakfast : a lowfat low sugar ceral warmed in lowfat milk then strained,with a little piece of breakfast bar. Mid morning treat: Almonds, walnuts, cashews, peanuts, pine nuts, pecans, Fruit: ,grape orange ,apple ,mango, pineapple, papaya, apricots or any fruit that he likes.
I have also given my birds avocado spread very thin on bread,as they just love it ! Just remember moderation always in whatever you feed them. All ! Yes ,all of my birds, have been given small amounts of chocalate throughout my care as they are just like Kids ! But once again ... Moderation! Moderation!
Again , All of my birds have just been crazy for jicima a root vegtable from the latin culture. They all have loved bell pepper. Beans are always a good bet, just cook without much fat. Pasta is always a winner with all birds. Mashed potatos are always a big hit.They eat chicken and love it , beef a little on the rare side, fish is always appreciated. Macaroni and cheese seems to be the biggest favorite for all of my birds. Teaspoons of juice, are welcome treats. Basicaly you can see that as a captive bird,they need much more than just seeds. Now most of what I learned, I learned from my freind that worked for the Government as an ornatholigist. None of the birds that I have raised met an early demise that I know of .I still stay in contact with all of my caregivers as I truly love providing life companions for people . I still have BuckARoo as my best freind and we have been freinds for almost 30 years. I watched him come out of the egg and have fed him as I recomend for all of his life.
So please don't freak out to much as BuckARoo and all of his brothers and sisters that came before him and after him are all alive and quite content birds . So don't be afraid ! Make his or her life as nice as possible through love and food and they will love you forever .
Sorry if I have caused a stir but all that I have said is true !

[Courtzrocks]

Oh geez im not gonna remember all that! Ahh, i know about the bad stuff you said at first but hmm...thats alot of no no's!

[POSTIEPARROT]

Originally Posted by Kiwi1224

I thought I had read that almonds, walnuts and pecans were okay for birds in moderation. Kiwi tends to go for the walnuts more than the other nuts. I hope one of the members can let us know for certain. Great thread, I have these items listed for reference but it's a listing that should be viewed on a regular basis.

tishrei -- that's a shame about the too...I hate the thought of the bird being caged with no means of escape from the smoke. You just want to grab the bird and run!

What?....I actually have a tropical parrot food that also includes walnuts, is this true, and why is it served up in a well known and popular brand in the uk?

[Addicted to Tequila]

Walnuts are fine... hulls are problematic. (leathery casing around the shell... unless you have a walnut tree you have probably never seen the hulls)

Sweet almonds are fine. Bitter almonds contain cyanide. HUGE quantities of it. This is what Socrates ate to kill himself.

I have owned hamsters that lived to 5 and gerbils that made it to 8. I have almost NEVER fed them commercial food. They get/got a mixture of human low-sugar cereals, bird food, grains, and fresh veggies and nuts. I have given them all almonds with no ill effects. The one that ate some cut flowers while out exploring was unhappy for a full night once...

Not saying that it did not happen. Just do not think it is because almonds in essence are bad for hamsters.