Parrot like all creatures need a healthy and balanced diet to thrive - if you have a parrot that lives in-doors, so it is even more important.
What should constitute a healthy and balanced diet has been discussed and debated by many people. This article is intended to take all the theories and give you an idea of what the best practices and to warn about the foods that should be avoided altogether. The results are expressed below is my own opinion, but these opinions are based on results are based on information on hundreds of parrots in both the sanctuary and pen environments.
Towards the end of this article, I will submit a list of recommended foods. I am aware that due to availability, you may be unable to deliver all these foods for your parrot, but the more varied diet, the better.
First and foremost, it is wise to understand what a parrot needs and why?
Birds and other flying creatures are known to have a high metabolism and burn calories very quickly. It is therefore important that they eat the right foods to provide energy. Carbohydrates are important and needed in large quantities, as they convert light to energy.
In my experience parrots eat almost anything! They need like vitamins and minerals to humans, and because of this are often fed with residues from their owners' own records. They have the opportunity to know what they are lacking in the diet conditions and will eat more of these foods to meet the shortage. I read somewhere of a pregnant woman who had a craving for liver (something she never ate before). After a visit to the doctor it was found that she as iron deficiency and that her desire was recharging the lack of iron in her body. This is a trend among all creatures.
And black, feeding your parrots will improve their diet. Many people find it hard to get their bird to eat a wide variety of foods, the main reason for this is that there is no feeding regimen. Believe me, the parrots eat all kinds of food when fed at the right time.
TIP! In the wild parrots never have the opportunity to eat cold food because of where they live, are always hot. When you try to get the parrot to east anything new, warm it slightly in the microwave. You will be surprised what an effect it has!
(Do not worry about how much your bird eats. He can throw the food away the first time it is offered, or he may just take a little bite. Hold on to offer it, and he will soon take as much as he required.)
So ... When should you feed your parrot?
Extensive research has been performed in this field. A common mistake by parrot owners is to provide a bowl of food in the morning, at the same time, in the same corner that contains the same food with a few extras offered now and again. It is useless to parrot or pocket, you'll find yourself throwing away a lot of the food
Providing only one meal a day of mixed parrot seeds or pellets will again invite your parrot to be selective and picky - eating what they want and throw away what they do not. You will often find unopened and uneaten seeds and pallets, which suggests that you give your bird too much. An analogy I would use here is leaving a child in a supermarket on his own and tell him to take what he wants. Inevitably kid will head straight for the candy aisle and indulge in his favorite pastry, while the produce aisles go untouched! By feeding your children their greens at dinner, and only gives a plate of food (not quite a shop), you are essentially forcing the child to eat the right foods. You must feed your parrot with a similar thoroughness or he will opt out, what he wants and leave the rest.
Studies have shown that parrots eating patterns follow a relatively strict discipline. They will fill the crops to almost breaking point tomorrow. This will slowly release through their system throughout the day. This will be repeated tonight to get them through the night. The size of a good quality parrot mix offered, should be about 30/35g or a level-tablespoon serving. It is up to you what you feed in what order.
Most of all parrots diet should be fruits and vegetables, along with some form of animal protein. The remainder may consist of a good quality mix bought from a pet store.
Remember that parrots are natural nibblers, too. Food chopped up into tiny pieces can look good and be easy for the bird to eat and digest, but they would much rather see an entire apple or carrot that they can munch on!
When you choose a good mix, so try and find one that has a good selection of seeds in and not only 75% sunflower. As mentioned above, your bird take what they need / want, and leave extra. Buy a cheap mix may seem like a smart economic move at the time, but believe me, you will be wasting a lot more than parrot is actually eating. A good mix is key to a parrot diet. Tests have proved also feeding your parrot contraceptives leads to an increase in water consumption, so be aware of this when / if your parrot feeding pellets.
There is a belief that you should not move or change the layout of a cage. There is a small violation of this rule on the feeding bowl. It is true that parrots do not like changes in their surroundings, but to feed it is recommended to move the dish. What I propose is to move the dish very little to begin with, and when the bird begins to get used to the idea starts to become more radical with the movement!
Below is a list of foods recommended for consumption parrot:
Vegetables: broccoli, carrots, celery, potatoes (cooked), turnip, sweet corn, peas / beans, Swede, sweet potatoes, cabbage leaves
Fruit: apple, banana, plum, apricot, Pomegranate, grapes, Orange
Animal Protein: Cheese, Chicken Bones (cooked), hard boiled eggs, fish
Nuts: Peanuts, Hazel, brazil nuts.
As you can see, there are many types of foods to keep your parrot not only fed but also filled in to keep themselves fed.
There is some food that you parrot should NEVER feed your bird and have been known to cause death in some cases!
Do not feed the following to your bird!
Avocado Pear
Chocolate
Tea
Coffee
Salt
Alcohol
Raw Potato
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