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AVANT-GARDE AVICULTURE
ANTHONY B. OLSZEWSKI
P.O. Box 3362
JERSEY CITY, N.J. 07302
BIRDCRAFT WEB PAGE:
http://www.petcraft.com
This article describes a simple and complete system of nutrition for parrots, budgies, and hook-bills in general. Many breeders and pet owners have their own "secret" recipes. Unfortunately, many feeding plans are based more on superstition than on scientific research. The diets outlined here are based on years of research and experience. They have the added advantage of convenience. By using these diets even the beginner will experience success.
Three basic seed mixes are used for hookbills:parrot, cockatiel, and small hookbill. The parrot mix should contain sunflower, whole corn, whole peanuts, buckwheat, safflower, cracked corn, chili peppers, and protein kibble. The mix for the cockatiel and lovebirds consists of canary seed, white millet, whole sunflower, Japanese millet, golden German millet, oat groats, safflower, steel cut oats, cracked corn, flaked corn, buckwheat, thistle, flax, hemp, sunflower hearts, kibbled corn, protein supplements and wheat. The small hookbill mix is made up of canary seed, white millet, Japanese millet, golden German millet, oat groats, steel cut oats, cracked corn, safflower, flax, thistle, sunflower hearts, hemp,protein supplements and buckwheat.
The seed mixes for all birds should be vitamin fortified. Aviculturists should take vitamins seriously. Vitamins are essential for the metabolic functions of all living things. When seed is not vitamin fortified, birds are not able to reap the full benefit from the nutrition present in the feed. Vitamin enriched feed is a must for optimum growth, maintenance, reproduction, and health.
The vitamin content of even the best seed is neither consistent or adequate enough to assure optimal nutrition. Natural factors, such as drought, insects, excessive moisture, disease, and molds, make the vitamin levels of seed uncertain. Man made variables, the storage, transportation, and processing of feed, conspire to rob the seed of the vitamins needed by birds. Research has proven that vitamin supplementation of seed is a must to achieve peak production
These mixes might be slightly more costly. By using these diets the birds will maintain better health, appearance, temperment, and reproduction. The extra young produced will more than pay back the few cents it costs to feed a top quality mix.
A nestling mix should be offered to the birds at all times. This guarantees that the birds will accept the rearing food when young are in the nest. The best course of action is to use a commercial mix. This promotes consistency. Birds need extra protein during growth, the moult and egg production, not just when feeding babies.
Sunflower seed is extensively used in cage bird seed mixes, farm animal feed(where it is a component of pellets), and human diet. Sunflower, both seed and oil, is considered as a "Health Food" item for people. The United States government has tested sunflower and has declared it to be fit for human consumption. All the reasons given against the use of sunflower in parrot mixes have been found to be without any basis in reality.
BUDGERIGARS(AMERICAN PARAKEETS, ENGLISH PARAKEETS)
These birds require the small hook bill mix at all times. A dish
of dry nestling food should also be available.
Spray millet is a greatly enjoyed treat. Soak seed, sprouts, and fresh foods are relished by the birds. If your birds will consume these foods, supply them. If not, do not worry, fortified seed supplies all the dietary items required.
COCKATIELS, LOVEBIRDS, AND AUSTRALIAN PARAKEETS
These birds require the cockatiel mix at all times. A dish of dry
nestling food should also be provided. Again as for budgerigars, these
birds vary in their taste for soak seed, sprouts, and fresh foods. If
your birds eat these foods, all well and good, if not, do not worry, for
the vitamin supplemented cockatiel mix is nutritionally complete.
CONURES
The fortified parrot mix is the basic diet. Also offer a dish of
nestling food.
Spray mille tis a very good supplement. For breeding success, conures must have soak seed, sprouts, and fresh food on a daily basis.
LARGE PARROTS (AMAZONS, COCKATOOS, AFRICAN GREYS, AND
MACAWS)
The basic food for these birds is the fortified parrot mix. Spray
millet is enjoyed by the cockatoos and the African greys. For longevity
and breeding, these birds must have a wide range of foods.
Sprouts, soak seed, and fresh foods must be given every day.
SOAK SEED AND SPROUTS
.
The seed for soaking or sprouting should not be vitamin enriched.
Soak seed is just that. Take a quantity of plain seeds and put them in a
jar with about three parts water. Refrigerate for twenty-four hours.
Strain and rinse. Give to the birds. Soaking makes the hard shells
easier to crack for the smaller birds. Soaking also turns complex
carbohydrates into simple carbohydrates, improving palatability and
digestibility.
Sprouting seed is the easiest way to provide your birds with fresh greens. Chinese mung beans or a soak seed mix may be sprouted. For one bird only one quarter cup of seeds should be prepared at a time. Place the seeds in a very clean glass jar. Fill with tap water and let stand for twenty-four hours. Rinse and drain completely. Repeat the rinsing and draining completely every twenty-four hours until the seed has sprouted. If a foul odor or mold develops, discard. Preparations are available to prevent spoilage. Rinsing well is very important. Any surplus sprouted seeds may be refrigerated up to two weeks.
FRESH FOODS
A large variety of foods may be given to birds. Bread, cooked
meat, cheese, yoghurt, cooked fish, soaked soy beans, soaked or cooked
lima beans, cooked kidney beans, cooked rice, raw corn on the cob, cooked
corn, soaked or cooked lentils, peas in the pod, cooked peas, raw green
beans, grapes, oranges, cherries, melons, cooked potatoes, escarole,
bananas, peaches, cooked sweet potatoes, beets, spinach, chard, dandelion,
cooked broccoli, mushrooms, raisins, carrots, celery, and cooked chicken
eggs. All cooked items should not be fried and should room temperature
when served. Most parrots enjoy crushing chicken and other bones. Any
food that is used for human consumption may be offered to birds. Never
use discarded or spoiled products for bird food. For one or two pets,
simply give a small portion of your dinner each night. The breeder will
find it necessary to prepare a mix in quantity. It is useful to dice and
mix this to make it less easy for birds to pick out their favorites.
Only allow these foods
before your birds for a few hours at a time. These foods are all
perishable, particularly the the eggs.
GRIT AND CUTTLEBONE
Seed eating birds require grit and cuttlebone at all times.
VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS
Vitamins can also be given in the water, in addition to the seed.
WATER
Birds need fresh clean water at all times. Chlorinated tap water
is fine. Spring water is even better. Never place antibiotics or other
medications in the water unless prescribed by a veterinarian. Alcoholic
beverages, coffee, tea, or soda should not be given to birds. Birds will
often not drink fruit juice.
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