Translated by Nick R
Birds have a rich that depends largely on how much energy they need for their daily activities and the genetic disposition of their bodies such as their wings and legs, which will determine what type of food they need to eat.
In the case of domestic birds, although the misconception that they should only feed on seeds, you’ll be surprised to know the number of foods that your birds can eat, and that will mean an immensely significant contribution to them, read on.
Table of Contents
Why a varied diet is important?
Although birds in the wild feed on seeds, the problem with them is that they tend to contain excessive carbohydrates or fats and lack vitamins and minerals that are also important for birds, which not only leads to a poor diet but also exposes them to the risk of becoming obese.
A diverse diet ensures that your birds get their nutrients from natural sources and mentally stimulates them to try new things, which can also help you to treat them to the foods you see they like best as a reward for good behavior or a trick you are teaching them.
What vitamins do birds need?
It is important that your birds have access to a wide variety of nutrients, however, some of the most necessary vitamins for your birds will be:
Vitamin A
It helps to regenerate tissues and vision, in birds it is an essential vitamin since they often lack it in their regular diet.
Vitamin B
The B complex vitamins have different functions depending on the food, however, their main virtues are to maintain healthy feathers, beaks and nails and to help synthesize carbohydrates.
Vitamin C
It’s your birds’ natural shield to prevent diseases and keep them healthy. Vitamin C is a must in your bird’s diet and the good news is that it is present in a variety of foods.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K will help your bird’s cardiovascular health as it is involved in good blood clotting. It’s a good ally for those birds that after health complications must eat food to help them recover.
Vitamin E
Another antioxidant par excellence. It is special because it helps to keep the cells of your bird’s body healthy, which prevents it from diseases such as cancer, which is frequent in parakeets, cockatiels, and parrots.
An extra note about vitamin E is that it is very beneficial when your birds begin to breed.
Vitamin D
It is the ally of cuttlefish bones since it helps to maintain the good condition of the bones of your birds, it is especially important for the young birds that are just starting to grow and need abundant nutrients that help their good development.
What is a base diet?
The base diet of your bird is one that supplies the energy needs of your bird, which are often found in seeds with high carbohydrate and calorie content, however, not always a single diet in seeds, either of a single type or several, supply the nutritional needs of your bird, for example, sunflower seeds or breadfruit, are not recommended to be part of a base diet because of its high-fat content.
Can I replace all foods with birdfeed?
Feed is a food alternative that seeks to supply all the nutritional needs of your bird and at the same time be a balanced food, which can also save you the work of thinking about what is the right amount of nutrients your bird needs, but unfortunately, there are some birds that find it difficult to get used to the taste of these foods or instead, reject them completely, so if that is your situation, it is best to try to supply their food with natural alternatives such as fruits and vegetables.
TOP 20 BEST BIRD FOODS
This section will be divided into 10 fruits and 10 vegetables. Be cautious about the amount of fruit you give your bird; as it contains fructose, the sugar in fruit, it can be counterproductive for your winged pet.
Top 10 best fruits for your bird
1. Citrus fruits like lemon
In general, all citrus foods contain a high level of vitamin C, so if one of them doesn’t appeal to your bird, you can try others, such as lemons, limes, oranges or grapefruit.
In addition to vitamin C, lemon particularly has the virtue of being an excellent antioxidant, helping your bird to be healthy and preventing its predisposition to diseases such as cancer, which can be more prone to occur in some birds.
As an added bonus, this fruit will help reduce heat in your birds, in case your purpose is not to breed them for regular broods.
2. Apple
Apples will be the best desserts when giving prizes for performing tricks or good behavior. Although they are fairly rich, they have a high percentage of sugar and carbohydrates that can lead your bird to a bad diet.
However, apples’ great virtues are their fiber, which helps your bird’s digestive system and regulate its intestine and B vitamins that help in the formation of healthy muscles and healthy nails and beaks.
3. Banana
The energy-giving fruit can be a good snack after a long day out of the cage and constant activity. The potassium content in this fruit makes it ideal for keeping your bird in good physical condition.
Another virtue of bananas is the fiber, present to a lesser extent in this fruit. The great feature of bananas is that they can be a base ingredient for bird food for chicks that are still learning to eat on their own and find it difficult to eat seeds. Remember that bananas are a complement and not part of a basic diet.
4. Grapes
Sweet grapes are also a good alternative for snacks as they have a high energy content in the form of proteins and carbohydrates, as well as vitamins and minerals such as potassium, calcium, iron, and vitamins K and C, all of which help regenerate tissues that may be damaged after a long day of exercise.
5. Watermelon
This fruit is the most suitable for hot summer days, although it is wise to have plenty of water available for your birds. Watermelons are also a refreshing and nutritious snack, as they are also rich in vitamins A and C.
This fruit should be given with caution as it can cause diarrhea due to its high water content.
6. Pear
This fruit will be an asset to your bird’s intestine as it has high fiber content, and is a good source of antioxidants and vitamin C.
7. Plums
Plums can be given as a fruit or as a prune: the dried form of the fruit. In either form, it will be a nutritious food because of its vitamins A and C, and it is also a good source of fiber. As an added value, it will help maintain strong heart health for your bird.
8. Strawberry
Sweet strawberries are one of the most complete fruits on this list. They are rich in vitamin C, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and folic acid which contribute to the physical condition of your bird. Remember that you can combine strawberries with other red fruits such as blackberries or raspberries.
9. Peach
Peaches are excellent antioxidants, helping to maintain your bird’s good health thanks to vitamins C, vitamin A, and K and potassium. Moreover, B-complex vitamins such as thiamine and niacin can help to keep your bird’s feathers, wings, nails, and beak looking good.
10. Mango
Mangoes are high in calcium, potassium and phosphorus, which will help maintain good muscle and bone health. And vitamins A and C are good to promote good health. Another important contribution of mangoes is that they are also a good source of fiber.
To sum up
Fruits are a sweet option for giving (most of the time) as snacks after a busy day for your bird when they must replenish their energy immediately and it is necessary to reward your winged pet with their favorite food; however, remember it is not necessary for your bird to have exercised, fruits will always provide nutrients to help their digestion, maintain their health or their physical appearance.
Remember that some of them are also very helpful in promoting estrus or helping eggs and chicks to be healthy when hatching.
Some recommendations for feeding your bird fruits
- Fruits are an extra in your bird’s diet, therefore, by no means should you replace their seed or feed diet for fruits, as they can also harm your bird due to their high sugar and carbohydrate content or in some cases water and fiber that can affect your bird’s gastrointestinal functions.
- It is recommended to feed your birds 2 to 3 times a week and no more than one serving a day.
- Remember to wash the fruits you give to your bird very well.
- Cut up small slices considering how many birds you have, their size, and what they can eat, usually about one or two per bird.
- Also remove seeds, stems, and leaves that might be eaten by the birds; they may seem edible to them and cause problems such as apple seeds, which contain small amounts of cyanide.
- Fruits can be served with some other foods and invent new and nutritious recipes.
Top 10 best vegetables for your bird
Even though fruits are nutritious, the first place is definitely for vegetables. They are much more nutritious and some of them are highly recommended by veterinarians and experts in pet bird breeding.
1. Celery
Celery is a star among vegetables, it is rich in vitamins, mainly vitamins C and E, natural antioxidants that help prevent diseases and keep your pets healthy. Other vitamins are vitamins K and A, very beneficial for birds that have had health and physical problems, and the ones that domestic birds lack the most, respectively.
2. Carrot
One of the most famous and popular vegetables for birds is carrots thanks to their vitamin A, which is no secret to us, and which also helps your birds’ eyesight.
Some other vitamins present in carrots are the B complex vitamins such as b3 and b9 that help to preserve the proper digestive and skin, joints and feathers health of your birds. These vitamins are also responsible for intervening in the heat process and their good health of them during the entire period of breeding.
3. Zucchini
Zucchini is a complete ingredient for your bird’s diet, especially because its caloric content is not significant. It’s very nutritious, containing vitamins A, C, and K to keep your bird healthy, looking good, and protected from diseases. It is also rich in fiber and water, which help your winged friends’ digestion.
4. Spinach (In small quantities)
This vegetable is highly recommended by veterinarians and breeders as it is part of the group of “green leaves” that contribute significantly to the supply of minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium, helping to maintain good energy in your bird and the proper functioning of muscles, nerves and good bone condition.
This vegetable is recommended for overweight or obese birds.
5. Broccoli
These small bushes are very welcomed by most birds, including parakeets, cockatiels, and lovebirds. Besides its great fiber content, it contains various vitamins such as vitamin C, K1, B9 and minerals like potassium, magnesium and iron, all of which enhance the proper body and circulatory system functioning.
6. Corn
Corn is often part of the basic diet of some poultry such as chickens. However, it is very nutritious for other types of birds, of course, taking into account the type of corn you use because not all of them can be fed. In any case, the greatest virtue of corn is its high fiber content, which creates a balance between vitamins C and B and minerals like magnesium and potassium.
7. Cucumber
Cucumber contains a mineral that we haven’t mentioned and that is selenium. This mineral helps the good hormonal functioning of your bird, plus B vitamins that will make your bird look good: your bird will be a 10 for sure. Remember, however, to be moderate since it contains a high amount of water, which could cause diarrhea.
8. Sweet potato
You probably know sweet potato for porridges or some food recipes for your bird, but the nutritional secret behind this food is in the starch, which helps your bird’s digestive health, along with some vitamins such as A and C which act as natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory.
9. Bell peppers
Peppers are special food for birds since some may be spicy. Don’t worry though, just like lemons, birds won’t perceive their spiciness, and instead, they can take advantage of their antioxidant and immunological properties, which are complemented by minerals to help maintain the proper functioning of the muscles.
10. Asparagus
This vegetable you should give it prepared, either cooked or baked. Either way, it will contribute significantly to minerals such as phosphorus, which helps keep the beak and nails in good condition, and folic acid (vitamin B9), which helps in growth, blood, and good health.
To sum up
Vegetables, contrary to fruits, lack fructose and therefore are much more suitable and less harmful to your bird’s health. They also have a much greater variety of nutrients that compliment your bird’s needs.
Some recommendations when feeding vegetables to your birds
- Remember to be moderate in the number of vegetables you give your birds as too many nutrients in the diet can be counterproductive to their health.
- You can give them fresh, well washed and in the presentation, you think your bird will like the most. It can be grated, julienned, sliced or a big piece to peck.
- Some vegetables will need to be cooked to make them easy to eat by your birds, as in the case of asparagus, sweet potato, and some types of corn.
- Also be aware of the amount of fiber in vegetables, as they can also have a laxative effect on your birds and lead to them not utilizing their food very well and becoming dehydrated.
What is the right way to feed fruits and vegetables?
Keep in mind that these foods should be only 20% of the total diet of your bird, so be very careful with the amount of food and the type you are giving. However, combinations are not forbidden, so you can prepare salads that will be good especially if you have several birds, but be careful not to put the food in places where it can easily get dirty like under perches or near feeders.
A good option to prevent the food from getting dirty is to use hooks that can be adjusted to the bars of the cage and at the same time hold the slice of food you want, but don’t forget that the food must be removed 4 to 6 hours after it has been put in because the food will oxidize and the humidity is a breeding ground for bacteria.
Conclusions
Knowing about these details will not only make you better at caring for your winged friend, but it also gives you a good opportunity to share a healthy diet that can strengthen your bond and give you many years together.
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