 |
Avian Nutrition
Why can’t my bird eat seeds?
Isn’t that what they eat in the wild?
Yes, many of out pets birds do eat seeds in the wild. They also eat
insects, fruits, leaves and many times, anything else they can get
their beaks into. In captivity, our pet birds will eat whatever we
give them. Feeding fruits and veggies are great, but it is so hard
to properly balance their diets (especially since dietary
requirements for each and every type of bird is unknown). With our
busy lifestyles, it is not only more nutritious to feed a pelleted
diet, but a lot easier on us. A bird on a seed-only diet is much
like a person eating fast food every day, for every meal. And just
like people, as a bird gets older, these sorts of diets can really
take their toll.
Will pellets make that much of
a difference?
You may be pleasantly surprised how much shinier and smoother your
bird’s feathers will be after only a few months of eating a pelleted
diet. Birds can get sick from not enough vitamin A, or they can get
osteoporosis from not enough calcium. Feeding a balanced diet can
keep a bird from getting sick from malnutrition, which is good news
for your pocketbook and your bird.
What exactly is a bird pellet?
A formulated bird pellet is sort of the same as dog and cat food.
Instead of feeding a dog raw meat, feeding a formulated dog kibble
ensures that he/she gets all the vitamins and minerals, plus the
proper amount of protein, carbohydrates and fat. So a bird pellet is
a balanced piece of nutrition for your bird.
Are all bird pellets the same?
There are many different brands of pellets on the market. Many
owners like to feed their birds a mix of different kinds. Since we
don’t know the nutritional breakdown of all the species of pet
birds, the formulas are very general and based on nutrient
requirements for chickens. There is one diet based on the
requirements of young cockatiels. Pellets come in different colors,
textures, sizes and shapes. Colored pellets may not be ideal if your
bird likes to eat all the pellets of one color. For example, eating
all the red pellets will turn the bird’s feces red. If the bird were
to have blood in its feces for whatever reason, it would be
difficult to tell if the feces are red due to the food coloring the
food.
Which pellet do I buy?
Your veterinarian can recommend a brand for you. Several brands like
Kaytee, Pretty Bird, Lafeber and Roudybush are available at pet
stores. Harrison’s Bird Diet is an organic diet that is only
available through our hospital and other veterinary clinics that
care for birds. Choose a pellet size that is right for the size of
your bird. Your vet or the pet store employees can help you choose.
How do I get my bird to eat
pellets?
Some birds are very accepting of new foods and will convert from
seeds to pellets with no problem. Others will think you are trying
to feed them rocks and will refuse to eat them for months. Below you
will find general guidelines, tips and tricks for converting your
bird to pellets. Generally, the younger the bird the easier the
conversion. Some birds can take as long as 6 months to a year. Don’t
give up, be persistent and your bird will thank you. Please come in
to speak with one of our exotic doctors for tips and tricks on how
to convert your bird to a more nutritious diet. Never starve your
bird to convert it to its new diet. If the bird is not eating for
more than about 6 hours, give it back some familiar food. If the
feces are very dark green or black, the bird is not eating. Birds
that have not eaten for days can often still make feces. If you see
only urates (the white part) the bird is not eating. Monitor your
bird’s behavior and feces very closely, until you are positive that
the bird is actually eating the pellets.
Contact
Bradshaw Veterinary Clinic today at (916) 685-2494
to make an appointment for your pet!
|
 |
New
Hours!