|
|
Does Your Bird "Eat Like a Bird"?Jun 12 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
Popular Products in Nutrition
The Bottom Line Choose and chop up a variety of foods for your bird. A large bird needs so much more then a handful of bird seed now and then!
My Sister In Law and I run a Parrot rescue for abused and unwanted birds. The biggest reason that Parrots and other large birds become abused or unwanted is that the owner had no idea how much attention and care a bird actually needs. Aside from a proper sized/clean cage, a bird has complicated nutritional needs. To begin with, there are many household dangers that can a will kill your bird. Scented candles, Teflon and Febreeze are just a few of the hazards. A bird also needs a special vet..a normal physical will run around $200! As you can see, there is a major investment involved in owning a larger bird and you will want to keep your safe and happy and well fed. A healthy bird is a happy bird! It is always smart to read up on your particular breed of bird, since some have VERY specialized diets. My sister in law has a parrot right now that eats nothing but nector and fruit..no seed at all. I am going to cover an average parrot and suggestions for a healthy diet. First you can build his diet off of a bird seed mix made especially for Parrots/larger birds. With this nutritious base you can build a interesting and healthy diet for your feathered friend by adding other foods that will benefit your bird. I give my bird chopped fruit each morning. The ones he likes best are grapes, apples and strawberries! Later that day I give him home- made cornbread, cheerios and perhaps a little meat. Yes, many birds ARE carniverous! Later that day I round out his diet with fresh veggies!I also give my bird cooked pasta a few times a week as well. One important reminder: Allow your bird some time to eat and then remove perishable food from the cage. It gets nasty fast and can make for a very smelly and unkept cage. Fresh water is a must for a bird. They like to take baths in their water, so It is best to change it a few times a day. Provide the bird with a cuddle bone and some sandpaper material on his perch and you will have a bird who is able to maintain a healthy beak and claw length. The last thing I recommend is keeping snacks to a minimum. We use popcorn as a reward( we are training him to talk) Birds need and LOVE lots of attention, but if you prepare and plan ahead, you can make the job much easier!  |
| Read all comments (1)|Write your own comment |
|
Ads by Google
|
