Christie's Bird Links

A bird cannot live on seed alone!

What should I be feeding my bird?

This is a highly debated topic.  Most owners will feed a combination of foods.  The diet in my household is some seed (sprouted and dry), pellets, and fresh or cooked foods.  Depending on what breed of bird you have, the diet will change.  Cockatiels and Budgies should have a lower protein level in their diet, which makes a pellet based diet dangerous.  African greys on the other hand, need a lot of protein in their diet, and I've even seen photos of one gnawing on a broiled chicken leg!

When choosing the diet for your bird, remember that this is an ever evolving science, and to continue to listen to your avian vet and do your own research.

Seeds

Choose a high quality seed, even if you need to have it shipped to your house.  Sprouting the seeds is best for your bird, as it makes them more nutritious, but this must be done with care.  If done incorrectly, it can make your bird very sick!  I offer dry seed and pellets all day long, and sprouted seeds as often as I can.  When I'm not working, this is every day.

Pellets

A high quality pellet is also essential to a bird's diet.  In addition to the seeds, a pellet will offer some protein and vitamins that aren't always present in other foods.  The three brands of pellets I've had success with are Roudybush, Harrisons, and Lafeber.  Ther are several pellet companies out there, I encourage you to discuss with your avian vet what is right for your bird.

Fresh and Cooked Food 

 There are a multitude of fresh and cooked foods you can offer your bird.  Remember that presentation is key for most birds.  Cockatiels and budgies seem to do best when vegetables are finely chopped.  My birds prefer their veggies warmed in the microwave and served with cooked brown rice.  When serving hot foods, make sure that it is cool enough by mixing it up and putting a bit on the inside of your wrist, like you would check a baby's bottle.  When it is warm, it is perfect.  

When offering fresh foods to your bird, persistence is the key.  It took my oldest bird 20 years before he would eat a carrot, now I cannot keep him away from them! 

What is safe for me to offer my bird?

A good rule to decide what is safe for your bird to eat is as follows.  Is it healthy for you to be eating this food?  If so, it probably is safe.  However, there are some foods that are safe for humans, even healthy, that are TOXIC to birds, among these are avacado, asparagus, apple seeds, onion, uncooked potato, raw beans such as lima, kidney, pinto etc., and most say garlic.  If in doubt, check first.  Birds cannot digest milk products, so it is a waste of their energy to feed it to them.  Some birds do enjoy a bite or two of hard cheese such as cheddar or a bite or two of unflavored yogurt.

Where do I check if something is safe for my bird or not?

The following websites will help you out.

Dangerous Foods For Birds

 Dangerous and Safe Plant List NACS

A BIT ABOUT GRIT

Do Birds Need It?

by Carol Highfill

Jar Sprouting Directions

How to sprout your own seeds.