Milk question!

[Ashling]

For a lactose intolerant lorikeet who is terribly obsessed with milk, would soy milk be ok to give to her so she can enjoy it safely?
I say this as she tries every possible and every impossible way to reach my glass of milk on the top shelf next to my laptop

[WhiteRaven]

I've heard soy is bad too and shouldn't be given to birds. D:
Maybe someone else can confirm this.

I know what you mean though, my lorikeet wanted anything I had, no matter how unhealthy (I would have to hide things to get him to stop trying to get to it). He did manage to steal a chocolate chip once, noticed when he started squealing in delight. I tried to get it off him and I have never seen him hold onto food so tightly, and eat so quickly, as he did when he ate that chocolate chip. He finished it all, naughty bird.

[LoryLady]

Milk isn't a natural part of their diet, so I'd say no. Can you trick her by putting some wet food in a shot glass or something?? She'll still want your glass, no doubt!

[Ashling]

Originally Posted by WhiteRaven

I've heard soy is bad too and shouldn't be given to birds. D:
Maybe someone else can confirm this.

I know what you mean though, my lorikeet wanted anything I had, no matter how unhealthy (I would have to hide things to get him to stop trying to get to it). He did manage to steal a chocolate chip once, noticed when he started squealing in delight. I tried to get it off him and I have never seen him hold onto food so tightly, and eat so quickly, as he did when he ate that chocolate chip. He finished it all, naughty bird.

Hmm... well there are other kinds of "milk" out there... I'm sure one will be made from something that's ok. Perhaps coconut milk?
Ash loves chocolate too! I'm pretty sure that one chocolate chip every now and then won't do harm. Ash pretends to be disinterested then LUNGES and nabs chocolate biscuit off me! I laughed at the "squealing in delight" part- I know exactly what you mean!

Originally Posted by LoryLady

Milk isn't a natural part of their diet, so I'd say no. Can you trick her by putting some wet food in a shot glass or something?? She'll still want your glass, no doubt!

You're right, she wants whatever I have, even if she has her own to eat right next to me! However, she seems particular to milk! I'd never give her cow's milk- or any milk from a mammal. But I think there should be some kind of milk that's ok for birds... I just have to find out what! Hopefully someone else has an idea?

[chapala]

I suggest drinking your glass of milk away from the bird.

[Ashling]

Originally Posted by chapala

I suggest drinking your glass of milk away from the bird.

HA! Wish me luck!

[LoryLady]

Hey also, chocolate is really bad for Lorikeets. They're very prone to liver disease I hear and the sugar is very bad for their system/indigestible, as well as the additives in most commercial/non organic chocolate.

They're sugar junkies so of course he will go for it, but it can't be that hard to drink milk and eat biscuits away from him. Maybe cage time when you're eating or something? Or if he's clipped then put him on another perch and out of reach.

Just saying that in the wild these birds usually live a lot longer than in captivity. So while he may show no short-term ill effects, it wouldn't be fair to let him have food that could have an accumulative effect on his health in the long run.

I know how cute it is when they eat from you and sometimes when they're bold and naughty like that you want to laugh, but sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind!

[hollyhawkz]

Andre and I retire to the bedroom away from the birds if we are eating something they should not.

[Ashling]

I know the dangers, just curious if there is a safe milk. It would make things easier and more enjoyable for both of us.

[LoryLady]

Yeah there is no safe milk, they're not meant to drink milk. Milk is so for infant mammals, not avian species so it's pretty basic that milk, with all it's living bacteria and stuff in it (it's living if you think about it) would be a bad thing to feed the bird.

To me, 'easier' and 'more enjoyable' would mean not feeding Monty milk and chocolate EVER, not even once ever again and her living a longer life. Cause face facts, if the bird gets sick over time just because you didn't want to go into another room or put her elsewhere while drink milk and eat cookies, won't you feel really upset and maybe a bit guilty?

Just that if my bird became ill and it was something I did unknowingly I'd feel awful. If it was something that I kind of knew in the back of my head was bad for her, but did it anyway because it seemed more fun/enjoyable for myself and it was easier to indulge the behaviour, then I would be overcome with guilt.