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Parrot Feeding For A Healthy Parrot
Copyright (c) 2010 Kaye Dennan
Parrots are forages and they like foods that grow on trees and in the ground. Parrot feeding is really just a matter of finding out the best foods for a parrot and then planning a weekly menu to suit. It is not a difficult task at all.
A seed diet is considered by most not to be the best diet for a parrot. Seeds are deficient in many nutrients needed for good health like Vitamin A and calcium. Because of this those who have been studying parrots and parrot diets agree that only about 10% of a parrot's diet should be seed. In saying that, the smaller seed eaters like budgies and cockatiels seem to be able to have about 25% of their diet as seed without any undue affect on their health.
Feeding your parrot
Parrots do like and need stimulation so to cut some food like a carrot and hang it in the cage is a good idea. This activates the parrot and he will play with it and eat it at the same time. The parrot will more than likely be happy to try sweet potato, green beans, cucumber, green peas, cauliflowwer and importantly broccoli. Tropical fruits are a great love of the parrot as they are a tropical creature and they will just love fruits like mango, melons, papaya, kiwi fruit and pineapple. Do keep in mind that chemical sprays on leafy vegetables are harmful to these birds.
A parrot diet is best kept varied so that they do not get bored with food repetition. As they are happy to eat fruit and vegetables there is a wide range to choose from. Like us, they will have their favorites, but do be careful not to spoil them too much or they will become selective and that will not be good for their overall health.
Pellets should make up about 30-40% of the parrot diet as pellets have been constructed in such a way that they consist of vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds plus vitamins and minerals. Giving your pet parrot pellets will ensure that they are getting all the required nutrients needs in caring for a pet parrot.
If at all possible go for organic with your parrot's diet. Organic pellets are available and these are great for the parrot.
Foods toxic to parrots
Some foods are toxic to parrots and they are:
- Chocolate
- Cocoa
- Eggplant
- Avocado
- Guacamole
- Caffeine
- Mushrooms
- Foods with salt, sugar, grease, preservatives, food coloring and other additives
- Bread as this has a large number of unsuitable ingredients and parrots can contract a fungal stomach disease from eating commercial bread
It is also possible to give your parrot dehydrated fruits and vegetables. With their strong beaks a parrot is quite happy to crunch through these tasty morsels and dried items are fantastic if you are travelling or to keep on hand in case of emergency. You can place dried food in the cage and leave them without them being spoilt and this is an advantage as well.
Water for your bird
Parrots love to flop around in water so leave some water in the cage for a couple of hours to let it have a wash but remove it so that the bird does not drink it all day and end up with diseases. A healthy way to feed the parrot water is with a water bottle.
The range of foods that a parrot can eat is amazing, but do you know what, parrots often suffer from malnutrition because the diet is not varied enough. Write up a list of foods, including the necessary pellets, that are easy to purchase, cover a range of vitamins and you can keep handy to feed your pet parrot.
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Pet Parrot Secrets
. Pet parrots can be lots of fun, but if you want a
happy, healthy parrot
it is important to know how to look after him in the best possible way. They love learning tricks and being interactive with the family.