Unsweetened
breakfast cereals such as corn flakes or
shredded wheat are enjoyed by most birds and
most have niacin, thiamine and riboflavin
added. Bran type cereals do not have the same
benefits and are not recommended. Cooked
pasta is another food that many birds will
readily eat. If feeding beef or fish it must
be well cooked. Well
cooked chicken thigh bones are also enjoyed
by some birds who dismantle it for the
marrow.
Soaking
bird seeds for 24 - 48 hours in warm water is
very palatable to many birds and nutrients in
soaked seeds are more readily digested than
dry seed. After soaking or sprouting seed it
is extremely important to rinse it all
thoroughly and if seed smells mouldy or
"off", then it must be discarded.
There
are many other foods that your bird will
love, it is exciting for you and them to find
which ones are best. When you discover your
birds favourite foods you can add more
interest still, by providing new and
interesting ways for birds to access the
food. Hiding treats in paper towel rolls,
paper bags (not plastic) or hanging the food
from the centre of the cage are all ways of
stimulating your birds imagination and
causing them to exercise. This can be a great
source of pleasure for both you and your
bird. Boredom can be a major cause of some
bird ailments.
Remember...
All
fresh foods should be given in
moderation, too much of any one food
is as bad as not enough!
Only
offer your bird fresh food, if there
are signs of mould or the food smells
mouldy or "off" it should
never be given.
Fresh
food should be offered in the morning
and the un-eaten remains removed at
the end of each day and discarded.
Wash
all foods well in case of
insecticides, herbicides or
contamination by other animals eg.
clover that may have been wet upon by
cats or dogs. Do not pick grasses and
weeds from busy road sides as the
likelihood of contamination by
exhaust fumes, chemicals and other
animals is rather high, it is better
to rely on your own garden or grow
some preferred items yourself. Some
useful grasses are; Yarrow, Clover,
Coltsfoot and Shepherds Purse.
Never
force a bird to try new foods, let
them experiment in their own time.
Fresh
water is of utmost importance and should be
changed daily with regular cleaning of water
dishes and dispensers. Keep water dispensers
a short distance from the seed dishes so that
your bird cannot splash water onto their
seed. Water dishes and dispensers should be
kept out of direct sunlight so as to keep it
cool and to reduce the algal growth that can
occur.
Seed
should be provided in deep dishes to reduce
the amount of seed your bird will scratch out
, and not under perches where bird droppings
may land. Seed husks should be removed from
cage daily. Seed must be stored in a sealed
metal or strong plastic container to ensure
rodents do not contaminate it. Mice can
spread disease via their droppings and urine.
Give the last of the seed to your bird before
putting the new seed in the container to
ensure that old seed doesn't remain in the
bottom. Keep seed dry.
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