Whole fruits and veggies

[StellaBlue]

We have been giving whole fruits and veggies to our macaws as combination fruit/toys. We use a blunted and bent stainless bbq skewer to hang a variety of stuff, whatever is on sale, safe, and fun. They like mini-pumpkins, zuchinni and other squashes, pomegranites, kiwi, oranges, bananas, cukes, tomatoes, melons... We stay away from apples and stone fruit (plums, peaches, etc.) because the seeds are toxic. Coconuts chunks are fun, but more work...

It is huge fun to watch Sam and Al swing a big piece of food back and forth between them, biting and playing with it. We watch carefully and remove the skewer contraption as soon as they expose it.

Does anyone know if the pits from mangos and papayas are dangerous? What about pear seeds? I've been hesitant to try them whole because I haven't known for sure if they were safe, but I am seeing these items on sale, and the birdies like the fruit itself a good deal.

Does anyone else give whole fruits to their big fids?

[Wiggi]

Yes, I give my birds (two Senegals) whole fruits and vegetables too. I hang them in the cage on a "fruit skewer" and the birds love it (but I think the most of it ends up on the floor).

I don´t know whith mango pits, but I´ve heard that papaya seeds not are toxic and that a lot of birds like to eat them.

I give pear and apple seeds (in the whole fruits) too, they get so small amounts of it, but I think that at least apple seeds contain some kind of toxic substance but in a very small amount.

//Wiggi

[cfulhage]

A word of caution, if you feed any pellets at all, feeding citrus fruits is a big no-no.

Apple seeds contain cyanide and are very toxic. I would never let my birds get ahold of one. If I don't know for sure, I just remove all seeds.

This is copied off an article found here: http://birds.about.com/od/feeding/tp/poisonousfoods.htm

2) Apple Seeds
Believe it or not, apples - along with other members of the rose family including cherries, peaches, apricots, and pears - contain trace amounts of Cyanide within their seeds. While the fruit of the apple is fine for your bird, be aware that in addition to the poisonous seeds, there may be pesticides present on the fruit's skin. Be sure to thoroughly cleanse and core any apple pieces that you share with your bird to avoid exposure to these toxins.

I haven't heard about mango and papaya seeds being toxic- I'll try to look around to find that answer.

[cfulhage]

I did a quick search, and didn't find anything about mango and papaya seeds being toxic. But definitely stay away from apple and pear seeds!

[Suz Stickville]

Mango skin is toxic... very much so to humans , fidfs and most animals... this is the mango's natural protection, so can reseed itself... not sure about the seed... I would jut peel and cut off seed... and the skewer or place peeled and cut from seed mango....

NO plums or avacado to fids... avocado poisnus and plum toxic to fids..

Be careful of seeds... unless you know for a fact that they are safe....

That is what I know of the fruit..

And...

MY 2 cents worth...

Suz

[felisdomesticus]

papaya seeds are perfectly safe and have a peppery taste. Scarlett loves them!

I've never heard that mango skin was toxic. I've been feeding slices of mango--with skin--for almost 2 years.

[Vega]

if you feed any pellets at all, feeding citrus fruits is a big no-no.

Why?

Now I have to lengthen this so it will post...lol

[felisdomesticus]

it binds with something else--I want to say iron--and prevents it from being properly metabolized.

[Maui's Mom]

i give apple slices with natural peanut butter. havent tried mango or pears. the bananas didnt go over big at all.

[Mike B]

Pellets, and citrus combined have been linked to iron storage diease. On the apple seeds, As long as whole apples are fed in moderation they are fine. The amount of cyanide is so minute it's really not worth mentioning.

Mike