Helpful Hints When Raising A Healthy Bird
If what you want is for your bird to live a long life, then feeding it in a nutritionally sound way is very important. Birds often die too young because they are malnourished or they pick up a disease because they were not being fed correctly.
Birds who are part of the parrot family should be fed a variety of foods. Seeds are used by most as the only part of the bird’s diet and this is a mistake. There is not enough protein in seeds and almost no vitamins and they also have too much fat. Seeds should not make up more than 50 percent of your bird’s diet.
Try healthy table foods like items that contain whole grains and pretzels, pasta and whole wheat bread. Many birds can be persuaded to eat dairy and poultry products if they are given time and encouragement. You can also try to feed your bird low-fat cheese, yogurt and chicken. Remember, stay away from avocados, they are toxic to birds and also avoid any food that is high in fat.
Beans and legumes as well as fruits and vegetables are good sources of nutrition for the pet bird. Just as veggies and fruits are good for you! Even though it may take quite awhile to get your fine-feathered friend to except these changes, (up to a year), this is still the best thing for your bird.
When getting ready to make such changes, it is best to do it slowly. The fresh foods can be offered twice a day for about an hour at each feeding. You should not leave the fresh food in the cage longer than that. It becomes unappealing and can develop bacteria.
It is a good idea to feed your bird twice a day. Between feedings, your bird will become hungry and this practice will produce a more active bird. The bird is more likely to try new foods if they have a healthy appetite. You will also be able to keep a closer watch on how much your bird is eating. (Your bird should always have food available if they are sick, laying eggs, nesting, or caring for young.) When there is a decrease in food consumption, then most of the time the bird is not feeling well.
Try warming the food or cooking the vegetables if your bird is having a hard time getting used to the new diet. It will take a little time to discover what works for your bird. What you need to do is offer seeds only at meal time and along other foods until you are able to see that your bird is eating enough to stay healthy. When they are fed outside the cage, birds would often do better with new diets.
Water is the final key to your bird’s nutritional success. It is essential for the water to be fresh and all bowls should be thoroughly cleaned each day with hot water and soap. The bowls should be disinfected every week. Don’t forget that all the bleach is totally rinsed away from the bowls. A good idea is to add a multivitamin to the bird’s water daily until you know the bird is getting enough vitamins from the fruit and vegetables. Because birds are delightful pets, feeding them properly allows them to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and this practice can extend their life expectancy.
Amy Whitehouse is a contract writer who happens to love raw chocolate and wonders why people need to suffer.
