Eat Your Fruits and Veggies

Imagine what it would be like to eat the same food day in and day out for every meal. I don’t even like to eat left over for more than two meals.  Your birds are the same way—so spice up their bland diet of seeds with some fresh produce!

Birds love to feast upon crisp romaine lettuce, shredded carrots, bright green broccoli and mashed up hard-boiled eggs. Not only do the birds enjoy eating a variety of foods, it is also vital for their health and well-being.  It is important to remember that fruits and vegetables should account for around 20-25% of your bird’s diet.  When offering greens, be sure to look for the vibrant colored vegetables as they offer more nutritional value then iceberg lettuce or celery.

Vitamin deficiencies can occur when your bird’s diet consists mainly of seeds. Vitamin A becomes vital as it promotes a bird’s appetite, aides in digestion, and helps boost their immunity to infections and even some parasites.  Vitamin A can be found in the dark leafy greens and orange colored produce.  Shredded carrots offer a tasty treat for your birds to enjoy, while receiving their vitamin A.

Calcium-rich fruits and vegetables are other items you want to make sure your birds receive plenty of. Some good sources of these are:  cabbage, broccoli, apricots, figs, and cooked pinto beans.  You can even sprinkle some of the crushed up eggshell from your hard-boiled egg on top of their food as a source of calcium.

There are some foods however that you need to avoid feeding to your birds. Below are a few:

• Chocolate—who wants to give up their yummy, expensive chocolate anyways!
• Milk Products
• Grain products—such as breads and cereal
• Avocado

Remember, just as what we eat is important for us to be healthy and well, birds also need a well-rounded diet to thrive. Following the above guidelines will help ensure your birds happiness, which in turn affects their overall beauty!

“Foods & Plants That Can Be Toxic For Birds.” Beauty Of Birds. Web. 11 Dec. 2015.