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Hey

Ive read so many conflicting things about nuts of various types and bird health. Am hoping that there are some of you that are nutrition gurus. I give Cisco two Almonds and one Cashew every day. He has an excellent diet with lots of fruits and veg, as well as pellets and a little seed. One a week I give him a whole Red peanut in the shell. He goes gaga over these, but peanuts are a little suspect from what Ive heard. Any help is appreciated.

Freddy

(original post on BC)

Ours really like walnuts and the oil content seems to help them avoid dry skin. They aren't big fans of peanuts. Almonds and pistatios are OK if walnuts aren't around.

Hi Freddy
I'd say you're good with walnuts, pistachios and/or almonds. Cashews tend to have more 'bad' fat, where the others here are ok. I give all my birds any combination of two of the above every day.
Peanuts are known to have some toxins, as well as the fact they can harbor bugs and mold. This is primarily because they're grown on/under the ground, rather than on a tree.
Some birds, like humans, tend to be allergic to peanuts and it's just a 'food item' I don't ever feed my flock.
Hazelnuts are also a good source of 'good fat' and protein.
Even though small beaks can hurt as much as bigger ones, I've never found any of my birds to have a lot of luck opening any of the above mentioned nuts. I crack the walnuts, insert a sharp knife to pry it open a little, then twist it so there are two halves. It's easier for them to eat a 'half' at a time. I hand pick pistachios so they are mostly 'open' and select almonds that have the shell partially broken off (without the nuts being exposed). Then I take 'utility' scissors and cut off a lot of the actual end of the shell to expose the nut, just before I give it to them. If they can't open the nut, whatever it is, they don't get the benefit of 'foraging' a little, plus they just won't eat it. I do have to completely crack open the hazelnut.
Just a little extra time to do these things ensure they enjoy their afternoon or after-dinner treats.
Andrea
Andrea

My BHC has at least two peanuts a day with no problems. She loves them! I buy roasted unsalted peanuts in the grocery produce section.

Mine is nuts about walnuts. It's the first thing he'll grab from his food dish every morning, and then dunk/eat/dunk/eat/dunk.....

bailey..loves walnuts the most...pistachios second. he gets a few nuts everyday along with the rest of his food. i don't give him peanuts tho.

Yankee gets one almond and a pistachio every day. He wasn't able to get the almonds open at first, so I whacked them with a hammer, but now he knows what's inside, so he can "do it himself!" I think he enjoys the challenge as much as the nut!

Thanks guys

Ill file this concern under "things to no longer worry about". Cisco will be very happy to continue his eating habits.

Freddy

(the second mouse gets the cheese) - now thats funny