Quakers and peanuts

[MyLittleCorner]

Are roasted, unsalted peanuts in the shell okay for a treat for a Quaker?

[amanda143]

I stopped feeding them to my love bird because someone said the bacteria on the shell could kill them. However, when I bought my quaker, the food at the petstore had peanuts w/shell in them and he LOVES them. He actually prefers to eat the shell.

[Ginich]

It is a fact that peanut shells can carry mold so it is best not to give birds peanuts-even organic peanuts in the shell. Of course, quakers and lots of other fids love them but they also love almonds and other nuts that are not a risk. I use natural peanut butter in P'Banutty BIRDIEBREAD because it has no aflotoxins and is baked, so there is no danger.

"Aflatoxins are extremely poisonous to humans, livestock and poultry. However, because they are odorless, tasteless and have no color, they are difficult to detect. Corn is especially infected when stressed under such conditions as drought, but grain sorghum, peanuts and cotton also are at risk.....All living organisms metabolize aflatoxins in the liver, but high concentrations can lead to acute liver disease or death within 72 hours. Lower aflatoxin concentrations result in various symptoms, including feed refusal, decreased feed efficiency, impaired reproduction, hemorrhaging in muscles, and suppression of the immune system."

Aflatoxin-infected Crops

[neeko143]

as long as the peanuts are fresh and human grade, its not bad... theyre bad when they are spoiled. I know handfuls of people who have been feeding their 25+ year old birds sunflower and peanuts ONLY.... thats what their imports were rasied on... theyre strong as heck!!!

[amanda143]

Thanks for the info. I have a friend who smokes like a chimney but she's had her teil for over 20 years. I guess you never really know what could kill your bird. I try to be cautious anyway. Knowing my luck, the first time I use a teflon pan they would croak.