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Pet Forum / Birds / Parrots / January 2004tiel diet
ive had my cockatiel for 2 months now and she wont eat anything other than seeds. only recently i noticed her start eating the pellets which i keep in a seperate dish. ive tried oranges, apples, carrots, carrot tops, lettuce, parsley, chicken and corn. no luck with any of these. is there anywhere i can find a complete list of foods that i can feed my bird? also does anyone have any suggestions on how to get the bird to eat fruits and vegetables? i bought a book but its not very helpful. thanks in advance for any help :) There's an extensive list of diet-related articles at http://www.ittybittybirdiebites.com/therestlinks.html . You'll find lists in most of these. Many tiels like cooked rice, or mashed potatoes. Once you find one food that she likes, you can add others to it. Also, seeds are fine for cockatiels (are you feeding millet also? that's a very nutritional grain that most tiels love); however, you would do well to soak a portion of the seeds (if they aren't coated or neon-painted or have other stuff mixed in with them) for about 24 hours in the fridge, drain, rinse well, and then feed germinated. This makes a huge nutritional difference, in many ways. http://www.naturallyhealthypet.com/sproutedseeds.htm gives more detailed nutritional info; if the topic interests you, I've listed more than 2 dozen articles about it at www.ittybittybirdiebites.com/sproutlist.html. Keep the faith, sooner or later you'll have a breakthrough :).  Signatureowly http://www.ittybittybirdiebites.com - for seedjunkies and MORE! SPECIALS & NEWS FOR DECEMBER! (click on Special) +Seedjunkies Anon - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seedjunkies+ => Awesome bird toys and parts at www.chopperstoys.com ... ...and pick up some Itty Bitty Birdie Bites while you're there! <= > ive had my cockatiel for 2 months now and she wont eat anything other than > seeds. only recently i noticed her start eating the pellets which i keep in [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > have any suggestions on how to get the bird to eat fruits and vegetables? i > bought a book but its not very helpful. thanks in advance for any help :) Not wanting to be disrespectful here but I wanted to comment on your statement regarding millet. I have always been led to believe that it really had not a lot of nutritional value and should be only given as a treat because they love it but not for its value in the diet. I usually give my babies millet to start on as it is easy to hull and gives them a start to eating on their own. Please feel free to correct me if I have been mislead but I have heard the same from many people. I did say to correct me not abuse me. Jo-Anne >.... Also, seeds are fine for cockatiels (are you feeding millet also? that's a very nutritional grain > that most tiels love); >Not wanting to be disrespectful here but I wanted to comment on your >statement regarding millet. I have always been led to believe that it really [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >but I have heard the same from many people. I did say to correct me not >abuse me. Babies are growing so fast, they need all the nutrients they can get. They don't get fat the way adults do. The metabolism of the baby doubling its size every few days, is far different. Millet is like sugar and fat to birds. Just like many childrens foods. <G> > >Not wanting to be disrespectful here but I wanted to comment on your > >statement regarding millet. I have always been led to believe that it really [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Millet is like sugar and fat to birds. Just like many childrens foods. > <G> Are we talking millet sprays or millet seed? There are many different millets. Ray When speaking of bird diets, most folks are referring to millet sprays, or the "seeds" from these sprays that are commonly used in seed mixes; that is the only kind that is commonly available. People purchase the millet already hulled for our own purposes. And that giant red millet that you can buy in sprays for birds isn't a true millet at all. Signatureowly http://www.ittybittybirdiebites.com - for seedjunkies and MORE! SPECIALS & NEWS FOR DECEMBER! (click on Special) +Seedjunkies Anon - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seedjunkies+ => Awesome bird toys and parts at www.chopperstoys.com ... ...and pick up some Itty Bitty Birdie Bites while you're there! <= > Are we talking millet sprays or millet seed? There are many different > millets. >> >Not wanting to be disrespectful here but I wanted to comment on your >> >statement regarding millet. I have always been led to believe that it [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] >Are we talking millet sprays or millet seed? There are many different >millets. Yes. <G> Which is to say, the white millet out of the seed mix, and spray golden millet that I give him, which he prefers. I don't abuse people :). You should check your sources of information, that's a good thing and not disrespectful. After all, people have been claiming millet is junk food forever, and nothing could be further from the truth...but people believe it and don't question, as you are. Millet is a grain that many cultures have depended upon as a mainstay of their diet, and one of the most nutritious grains available. However, that's it's junk food is a common misconception about millet, unfortunately; most birds love it and it is a great part of an overall healthy diet for them. It is actually very low in fats and aids in sugar imbalances within the system - totally contrary to the "internet rumors" that seem to persist about it. Further, according to the late Dr. McWatters, "Millet is a very nutritious grain that has a lot to contribute to a varied bird diet: protein, folate, vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, vitamin K and the minerals calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, manganese, iron and potassium. Millet is a staple food in Africa and parts of India and China, and contains more protein than corn or barley. Of all the cereal grains, millet has the best amino acid profile." - http://www.naturallyhealthypet.com/millet.htm (There is also quite a bit of other information about millet at that site, it's a good article.) You can also look up the nutritional value of millet at http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgi-bin/list_nut.pl and at http://nat.crgq.com/nat2/nat.pdl . Of all the "seeds" (obviously which includes this grain), sesame, hemp, flax, and millet are about the most nutrition-packed that you can get. Hope that helps :). Signatureowly http://www.ittybittybirdiebites.com - for seedjunkies and MORE! SPECIALS & NEWS FOR DECEMBER! (click on Special) +Seedjunkies Anon - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seedjunkies+ => Awesome bird toys and parts at www.chopperstoys.com ... ...and pick up some Itty Bitty Birdie Bites while you're there! <= > Not wanting to be disrespectful here but I wanted to comment on your > statement regarding millet. I have always been led to believe that it really [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > abuse me. > Jo-Anne >However, that's it's junk food is a common misconception about millet, >unfortunately; most birds love it and it is a great part of an overall >healthy diet for them. The big key here is the "great part" of the diet. There is no problem giving millet to birds, as long as it is part of and not the whole diet. My bird, Buddy, who eats almost nothing but millet, has been diagnosed by a DVM with vitamin deficiency, and is fed vitamins now as well. And I'm working on broading his diet, but it is slow going, I'm not pushing it, just giving him some of everything that I eat. In people, candy in moderation, isn't a problem. However, we all know that way too much leads to fat, bratty, kids. Same for birds. My birds don't get anything even remotely resembling "candy", nor would I recommend that for anybody's birds (or children, but that's a different newsgroup<G>). That's why I promote healthy foods (like millet) instead. I think it's pretty important to make every bite count - ie, make sure that everything they eat has as high a nutritional value as possible, is "real" food (no synthetics, man-made ingredients, etc.), and is complementary so that the overall diet over a week or so offers a broad spectrum of nutrients. Signatureowly http://www.ittybittybirdiebites.com - for seedjunkies and MORE! SPECIALS & NEWS FOR DECEMBER! (click on Special) +Seedjunkies Anon - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seedjunkies+ => Awesome bird toys and parts at www.chopperstoys.com ... ...and pick up some Itty Bitty Birdie Bites while you're there! <= > The big key here is the "great part" of the diet. > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > In people, candy in moderation, isn't a problem. However, we all know > that way too much leads to fat, bratty, kids. Same for birds. > My birds don't get anything even remotely resembling "candy", nor would I > recommend that for anybody's birds (or children, but that's a different [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > nutrients. > -- Couldnt agree more. Ray My seed mix has different millets in it about 5 different types. Japanese, chinese, pearl, red and white. I can also purchase 5 different millet sprays. I buy chinese or french. Red (anjou) millet isnt always available. The main seed in my birds diet is canary seed. I dont believe all this junk food talk in seed diets. It is quantities of certain seeds you feed your birds not fat content. Although the 2 do go hand in hand. Ray . > >However, that's it's junk food is a common misconception about millet, > >unfortunately; most birds love it and it is a great part of an overall [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > In people, candy in moderation, isn't a problem. However, we all know > that way too much leads to fat, bratty, kids. Same for birds. You're right, fat content is only a part of it. A quality seed mix is an integral part of a cockatiel's diet. The USDA database doesn't list the nutritional breakdown for all of those millets, but I'd have to assume that their similarities are greater than their differences...do you have a source for the nutritional information for the others? You use the witte molen that I hear so much about? I wish we had that here. Signatureowly http://www.ittybittybirdiebites.com - for seedjunkies and MORE! SPECIALS & NEWS FOR DECEMBER! (click on Special) +Seedjunkies Anon - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seedjunkies+ => Awesome bird toys and parts at www.chopperstoys.com ... ...and pick up some Itty Bitty Birdie Bites while you're there! <= > My seed mix has different millets in it about 5 different types. Japanese, > chinese, pearl, red and white. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > certain seeds you feed your birds not fat content. Although the 2 do go > hand in hand. > You're right, fat content is only a part of it. A quality seed mix is an > integral part of a cockatiel's diet. The USDA database doesn't list the [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > -- > owly Witte Molem are dutch, the European breeders have a far greater choice than us brits.They are reaching us though, slowly. You can now buy finch seed mixes that are species specific like Bullfinch, Greenfinch and Cardueline mixes. Cage and Aviary Birds magazine did a few articles early this year on the nutritonal value of individual seeds. And the Parrot society published a great article on the value of nuts. This is where I buy my seed, he does me a great deal on nectar too. Saved me £45 on my last order. http://www.robharvey.com/ Ray Okay thanks for the info. Wasn't accusing you of abusing people, just getting in first before the regular abusers got onboard! I have always fed millet and personally never saw any problems with that but was just wanting to get other peoples opinions on what I had heard. I usually use the millet sprays as they are easy to tie up or hang so it doubles as a play thing as well. I will check out the sites you have mentioned. Once again,thanks. Jo-Anne > I don't abuse people :). You should check your sources of information, > that's a good thing and not disrespectful. After all, people have been [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > => Awesome bird toys and parts at www.chopperstoys.com ... > ...and pick up some Itty Bitty Birdie Bites while you're there! <= i just saw her eat some rice, thanks for the tip > There's an extensive list of diet-related articles at > http://www.ittybittybirdiebites.com/therestlinks.html . You'll find lists [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > bought a book but its not very helpful. thanks in advance for any help :) > ive had my cockatiel for 2 months now and she wont eat anything other than > seeds. Ever try eating around her? Sometimes I'll fill a plate with food, section a bit off for my bird, and start eating. He just *has* to try. =) Sometimes he ends up liking them, and I'll put that food in the cage for him to eat. And usually once the others see another tiel trying something, they'll want to try to. Might not accept it, but at least it gets them sampling. (Just don't let them take food you've had in your mouth.) >ive had my cockatiel for 2 months now and she wont eat anything other than >seeds. only recently i noticed her start eating the pellets which i keep in [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >have any suggestions on how to get the bird to eat fruits and vegetables? i >bought a book but its not very helpful. thanks in advance for any help :) Cheese and lettuce and bread. (aka soft taco with most of the meat eaten by the human). I eat with my bird, so he get a taste of everything. No chocolate or avocado. (poison to birds). Hi, try cereals such as: cheerios, Great Grains, corn chex and corn flakes. My bird loves nuts. Hope this helps. Susan in Virginia > ive had my cockatiel for 2 months now and she wont eat anything other than > seeds. only recently i noticed her start eating the pellets which i keep in [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > have any suggestions on how to get the bird to eat fruits and vegetables? i > bought a book but its not very helpful. thanks in advance for any help :) > Hi, try cereals such as: cheerios, Great Grains, corn chex and corn flakes. My > bird loves nuts. Hope this helps. Susan in Virginia I thought that the OP was interested in feeding 'healthy' stuff to her tiel like fruit and veg. I think that the ones you have mentioned have salt and sugar added to them which is not good at all. >Hi, try cereals such as: cheerios, Great Grains, corn chex and corn flakes. My >bird loves nuts. Hope this helps. Susan in Virginia Ours love cereals and that is what I use to get him to cheerfully return to his cage! Little dominant fellow that prefers to be out in morning but a few crushed flakes gets him antsy to go back home! The second bird, Goofy, just eats whatever she sees him eat. >> ive had my cockatiel for 2 months now and she wont eat anything other than >> seeds. only recently i noticed her start eating the pellets which i keep in [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >> have any suggestions on how to get the bird to eat fruits and vegetables? i >> bought a book but its not very helpful. thanks in advance for any help :) Hi, my cockatiel loves broccoli leaves, peas, lima beans and grains (Great Grain cereal or Cheerios). He seems to enjoy eating a cooked egg white and potato bread. When I have mashed potatoes he loves a teaspoon to nibble on. Sugar use to eat rice, but has lost his taste for that. Hope this helps with your cockatiel's diet. Susan in Virginia > ive had my cockatiel for 2 months now and she wont eat anything other than > seeds. only recently i noticed her start eating the pellets which i keep in [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > have any suggestions on how to get the bird to eat fruits and vegetables? i > bought a book but its not very helpful. thanks in advance for any help :) |
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