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I've read on this forum that salt is a definite no-no. Even removing salt from water for cooking pasta.

Why is salt dangerous?
Here is an excerpt from a cockatiel group wherein the writer states that some salt is alright.


"Of course, the cockatiels like salt as we do, and salt spools may be used or mineral blocks which contain traces of salt. Salt in excess can interfere with normal growth, produce excessive thirst, weakness and convulsions prior top death. Deficiencies from salt are likely to arise from an undue demand by the body for these elements when vomiting or serious exudation occurs. As far as avian medical books and journals we have say, is that traces of salt is not harmful and is actually beneficial to birds, while an excess can be very harmful and actually cause death. It is also stated that most birds will eat what they feel their body needs and/or wants and will not take salt in excess even if provided to them unless they have some other kind of problem or deficiency causing them to take excess salt if it is available."


Can you elaborate, or direct me to a site, where it states categorically that salt, in any amount, is not good for a 'Tiel.

Thanx alot.
Pete[/b]

the way that I have always thought about it, but do not believe I have ever read it... is that people food is good for tiels in tiel sized servings, not people sized servings. I will give my tiels salt, which may get me scolded by others here, lol, but in "tiel sized portions"... For example, I may let the tiels have a piece of a pretzel or chip, but in small amounts (i.e. not like a whole potato chip, but maybe 1/8 or 1/10 of one). I think of them like a small child... you might let a 3 year old have potato chips, but not a whole bag of them. Somthing to keep in mind, when dealing with people, excess salt creates problems with hypertension and dehydration--chances are it can do the same in a bird.

Just my thoughts.

There's a significant difference between natural salt and added salt. Many foods have small amounts of natural salt, amounts that are all a bird needs. Adding salt is the danger. Robin Deutsch says, in The Healthy Bird Cookbook, that "salt is especially not good for birds. Parrots do not excrete salt as humans do. As in humans, high blood pressure is one of the many bad side effects." Here is one short, online article that might give you some good nutrition ideas for keeping your 'tiel healthy (I've bolded the sentence re added salt.):

Once a pelleted formula has been accepted by a bird, the pellets should comprise anywhere from 50-75% of the diet. It is extremely crucial that the LESS the percentage of pellets fed, the MORE balanced and nutritional the remainder of the diet! And what should that remainder consist of ? The remainder of a bird's diet should consist of a mixture of vegetables/legumes, whole grains, and fruits. Vegetables can supply numerous vitamins, calcium, protein, and trace minerals. The most beneficial veggies includes legumes, such as beans, peas, lentils, and alfalfa sprouts, and those which are dark green, yellow, or red pigmented, such as broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts, mustard/turnip greens, kale, red pepper, carrots, squash and sweet potato. Vegetables are most healthy if offered fresh daily, thoroughly washed, and usually accepted easier if chopped into smaller pieces. Cooking of veggies is acceptable, and should ALWAYS be done for beans, squash, and sweet potato. However, care should be taken to not give the bird hot food, and added salt, sugar, and fat should be avoided! In general, these vegetables should comprise 40% of the non-pelleted part of the diet (i.e., 10-20% of the total diet). Whole grains should comprise about 50% of the non-pelleted part of the diet (i.e., 13-25% of the total diet). http://www.sweetencreekvet.com/siteSear ... mrs2a136c3

Years ago I shared microwave popcorn with a budgie. The budgie developed a liver problem because of the "little bit of salt" in the popcorn. Whook has been on milk thistle for years because of my lack of knowledge. I do not let him have ANYTHING that has salt in it. A bite of a potatoe chip is like us downing a bucket of salt.
Just my two cents worth....

I will add my $0.02 worth to the salt issue. My kids get salt, perhaps 1 grain of salt per day, usually from my margarita glass, but not everyone likes it. Missy, Chirp, Lil'bit, Suzie and now and then, Gizmo will grab a grain of salt. I've not seen any ill effects from any of them's salt intake. Mind you, most, and I'm not an MD, living creatures who have blood flowing thru their arteries and veins have a rather high salt content already. In humans, if I'm not mistaken, blood salt levels approach 25% or more.. someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the human body as a whole is 97% water, and about 25% salt. I'd like to think other living creatures are similar in nature, but I do understand salt is not a substance that would be in abundance in OZ land, but is still a necessary element of life. Perhaps all my kids will die with kidney failure, or OD on water, but as long as they live in my house, they will have access to what they both want and need. Can you say you don't eat things you don't need? Touche!

Sam

Thanx all for your input. My Bailey will actively search out grains of salt that may have spilled when salting water for pasta. And she shows no ill effects and I thought the same thing, that a living creature is gonna need some kind of salt ... and as she gets no junk food at all, like chips or pretzels, a little salt diluted in water shouldn't cause any harm.

Now ... I can rest easy.

Thanx again for all your input!
Pete

You might want to discuss it with your avian vet