Can I feed too much?

[Adi]

My lovebird Sunny is just past a year old now and lately his appetite has been steadily increasing. I have been feeding him more and more and he seems satisfied but I was wondering if it was possible to feed him too much? The last thing I want is to have an obese Lovebird!

Do birds get the feeling of satiety or will they just eat all they can if the food is there?

[Beaks]

Your bird may be lacking somthing in its diet, when an animal (including humans) are lacking vitamins and minerals they crave foods that have them and in most cases they will eat until that craving is satisfied.

Another problem could be that your bird is not digesting its food properly and will need to be taken in for a checkup at a good vet that has experience with birds(an avian vet if you can but some vets are not avian certified and are just as good if not better than an avian vet)

You will just have to look around and ask some questions or call your local bird club to see which is the best vet and remember to ask what qualifications the vet has weather he/she has avian certs or not.

John

Originally Posted by Adi

My lovebird Sunny is just past a year old now and lately his appetite has been steadily increasing. I have been feeding him more and more and he seems satisfied but I was wondering if it was possible to feed him too much? The last thing I want is to have an obese Lovebird!

Do birds get the feeling of satiety or will they just eat all they can if the food is there?

[Adi]

I provide plenty of variety in his diet so I doubt that he would be seriously lacking something. He is happy and healthy and shows absolutely no signs of illness. At one year old now, he is coming in to his maturity and I figure that it's quite normal that he's eating more than he did that at 3 months old, when he came home to me.

I'm just wondering if it's possible that I can feed him too much, do birds normally stop eating when they're full or will they just eat what's in front of them like other animals such as dogs?

[Beaks]

Birds will eat what they need unlike a dog that will eat anything and everything in sight.

If there are no problems with your bird then he/she may just like to eat like a little pig LOL.

You dont have to worry about it in a healthy, active bird but you still need to remember that a seemingly healthy looking bird can still be ill because they hide illness very well due to predation and their inborn instincts.

A sick bird in the wild is lunch for a preditor so if you notice the crop expanding too large or it does not empty or you see undigested food in the feces then you need to see a vet yesterday.

John

Originally Posted by Adi

I provide plenty of variety in his diet so I doubt that he would be seriously lacking something. He is happy and healthy and shows absolutely no signs of illness. At one year old now, he is coming in to his maturity and I figure that it's quite normal that he's eating more than he did that at 3 months old, when he came home to me.

I'm just wondering if it's possible that I can feed him too much, do birds normally stop eating when they're full or will they just eat what's in front of them like other animals such as dogs?

[Adi]

Thanks for the info John! And I do agree that he's a little pig!

He is quite active since I am at home right now and he has plenty of "out" time. That could also be a reason why he needs a bit more fuel!

I'll keep in mind the advice that you gave me though, in case anything was to happen.