Q. What can I feed my bird?
A. For hookbills, a pelleted diet is a good choice, with seeds as a treat. Finches and canaries are naturally seedeaters, but should have green food as well. Finches also do well to have some live food occasionally. Some canaries (red-factors) need color food which is high in beta-carotene or uses an artificial coloring to maintain their red. Lories and other brushtongued parrots eat a special nectar. Toucans and Toucanettes need a diet low in iron and will eat live food. You can feed your bird just about anything that is good for you, but birds seem to have a tendency towards vitamin A deficiency, so keep this in mind. Birds can eat fruits, vegetables, low-fat yogurt, an occasional bit of cheese, lean meat--chicken and turkey are good, cereals like corn flakes or crisped rice, whitefish. An occasional nut is fine, but be careful as nuts are very fatty and peanuts which are moldy can give a bird aspergilliosis. Basically it seems anything that is good for you is good for your bird. There is raging debate over what exactly is a good diet, but it seems that a vet-recommended pellet diet, with a little seed, and a choice of fruits and vegetables daily is a good choice. Each pellet in a pelleted diet has been made so that it is nutritionally complete. Also, there is a "pulse" diet, which is a mixture of seeds, nuts and various legumes (beans, etc.) which is good as well. You can also feed your birds prepackaged diet supplements that are cooked, like Crazy Corn (TM). Most birds love stuff like that.

Q. Do birds need variety?
A. Yes, but many birds can be finicky eaters. Sometimes disguising the "good" food within a food that the bird will eat will help the bird learn to like new and different foods. Several people have provided recipes that they have found to work well in getting their birds to eat a more diverse diet.

Q. Okay, then, what CAN'T my bird eat?
A. Chocolate, Alcohol, Avocado, Rhubarb and Caffeine are toxic to your birds. Never feed them to your bird. Some seeds and pits are also toxic, but seeds from melons are okay. Foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar are no-no's too.

Q. What functions are vitamins and minerals needed for? What are symptoms of deficiency? What foods provide these necessary dietary components?
A. Birds are just like people, vitamins and minerals, along with trace elements are required for growth and maintenance of homeostasis (regulation of body). A balanced diet will provide the nutrition needed. For charts and information in detail about avian vitamin needs, check books or get a copy of December 1992 Bird Talk Magazine. It features an article by Tom Roudybush, who developed Roudybush feeds. Here is a listing of foods that contain various levels of vitamin A.

Q. Does my bird require a special diet/supplements?
A. Certain species need special diets. For example, Lories live on nectar. African Greys are susceptible to Calcium deficiency, which leads to seizures. Birds which are molting need more protein. Breeding and brooding birds need a boosted diet too. Sick birds may require a diet different from the usual. Consult your vet.

Q. Do I have to feed my bird live food?
A. Live food--crickets, grubs, worms, pinkie mice (hairless babies) are good sources of protein for breeding and brooding birds and pets. You can get them from pet stores or mail-order. Your bird may refuse to eat them.

Q. Do I need to use a vitamin supplement?
A. A balanced diet is always better than a poor one supplemented with vitamins, but there may be a case when your bird will need them.

BENE-BAC (for birds)

After reading a post about Bene-Bac, I went ahead and called up PetAg (1-800-323-0877) and asked them to send me some information about the product. The woman I spoke to was very nice and said they would send a sample. When I received the information, I found they were kind enough to include a 15 gram tube of Bene-Bac (good for about 15 applications for a large bird!) and a 1oz package of their powder (which I didn't know existed.) Their material states the following:

BENE-BAC OFFERS:

A concentrated live culture of five common digestive bacteria found in the intestinal tracts of birds. A guaranteed 10 million colony forming units (CFU) per gram of viable lactic acid producing bacteria. A concentrated energy source. Help for birds and reptiles under adverse conditions such as: showing, breeding, traveling, worming, surgery, weaning, boarding, antibiotic therapy, simple intestinal stress.

Bene-Bac is a palatable gel in an easy to use syringe (My finicky Macaw *loves* the taste of the gel).

Bene-Bac is recommended as part of the management program for birds when hand feeding or weaning from hand feeding. Use with growing or mature birds when they are subject to changing nutritional or to environmental conditions or after antibiotic therapy. If diarrhea or anorexia (loss of appetite) persists, contact your veterinarian. Bene-Bac is recommended as part of a normal maintenance program.

GEL INGREDIENTS:

Dried Lactobacillus fermentum, dried L. casei (avian strain), dried Streptococcus faecium, L. plantarum and L. acidophilus fermentation products, vegetable oils, sugar, silicon dioxide, artificial color, polysorbate 80 preserved with TBHQ and ethoxyquin.

POWDER INGREDIENTS:

Dextrose, maltodextrin, dried Lactobacillus fermentum, dried L. casei (avian strain,) dried Streptococcus faecium, dried L. plantarum and dried L. acidophilus fermentation products.

Finally, I've been reading more about supplying beneficial bacteria to birds under stress. There definitely seems to be studies which support that parent delivered (regurgitated) food encourages faster chick growth (when compared to hand feeding). Many people also feel that the parents' supply of beneficial bacteria helps encourage a healthier chick with faster growth. However, studies also show that the bacteria work best if species specific. In other words, its very questionable if Lactobacillus strains for humans (commonly found in yogurt,) are as good for birds as avian strains (like found in Bene-Bac or AviGuard by Pet Med Tech.) Even better would be strains from a Scarlet Macaw for other Scarlet Macaws or ideally, from a parent bird (if this is to be used for hand feeding,) of the chick. Avian specific strains can be established in the gut of a bird more readily than other strains. If you have further questions about this product, I urge you to call PetAg at the number listed in the beginning of this section.

SPIRULINA:

This is what Harrison's puts in their pellets, and it's high in beta carotene and amino acids. It's expensive, 100 grams cost $15, at a recommended rate of 1% of the diet. I'm guesstimating this is 1/8 to a 1/4 of a teaspoon per portion of soft food. My brand is 'Bright and Healthy' by Earthrise.

LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS:

I'm hoping it will help up the weight of a low weight bird who is slightly stressed by a recent move. My label ('AviGuard' by Pet Med Tech "contains 3 avian strains of stabilized L.a. in a lactose base, store in a cool dry place or refrigerate") suggests a dose of 1/4 teaspoon of L.a. per 1 cup of formula and to use the treated formula for 4 consecutive days and repeat for 2 consecutive days every other week until weaned. For dry dosing, 1/4 teaspoon on moist food sufficient to feed 1-3 birds. Treat for four consecutive days. It also has an expiration date. $17 for 2 ounces.

AVIA (For Birds by Nutra-vet Research Corp.):

This has a nice range of vitamins, minerals *and* amino acids. Dosage for a macaw is 1/2 - 3/4 teaspoon per portion of food, once a day. It was recommended by a friend who I respect and trust, and once I started comparing it to other vitamins, it just seemed more complete. Unlike several other brands, which I had noticed contained preservatives, Avia does not use artificial means of extending the product's shelf life. Also, there are no ils or lecithin in this formula. This is very important, in that these additives can promote spoilage and alter the nutrition content. I like the fact that this is put on food, since I feel the vitamins are best absorbed when food is being digested, instead of taking them on an empty tummy, it is also better than giving the vitamins alone or using the vitamins in the bird's drinking water. Vitamins in water become inactive quickly and also can encourage bacterial growth in the water. Many birds don't like the colored or funny tasting water, or will not accept them in water. $5 for 2 ounces.

SUPER PREEN:

This is a dry powder, which is to be sprinkled on moist foods. More information to follow.

PRIME:

See H.A.R.I.'s "Research and Approved Products" web page

PROPER STORAGE AND ADMINISTRATION OF SUPPLEMENTS:

One thing that I noticed about supplements and packaging is that the Spirulina and Avia are sold in opaque containers. This is desirable, since sunlight and heat will breakdown vitamins rapidly. To prevent further breakdown of nutrients, store the supplements in a cool, dark place. I wish *all* supplements had expiration dates, since I worry about the effectiveness of something that has sat on the shelf for a while. Perhaps buying direct from the company would help insure freshness. I also like getting small containers that which are sealed, and can be resealed. The small containers enable me to use the product, and not let it sit on the shelf, so I can buy more fresh as soon as I run out. As for applying them, you want to follow directions on the label. The vitamin coating should be *very* light, and even starting with lower than recommended amounts might be a good idea if your bird is picky over the slightest change in diet. More will NOT be better, and could hurt your bird. Also be careful if you're feeding a pelleted diet which very likely already has vitamins included. Do not try to give your bird a number of supplements all at once. Try to concentrate on one particular supplement, then perhaps alternate the other supplements with it. I have also discussed my supplemental plan with my veterinarian, who believes that it will, in the very least, prove helpful. I suggest that you do the same. No doubt the vet will have at least one insight into your supplemental plan.

Q. Does my bird need grit?
A. Welcome to the great grit gridlock. Everybody has a different opinion on this issue. The current opinion is that birds that eat mostly soft food and fruits don't need grit; a bird which eats mostly dry seeds will need grit. However, some people don't even give grit to birds which supposedly "need" grit. They claim that it makes the bird lose weight. There is also the danger of crop impaction when a bird is given grit. Birds kept in aviaries with dirt floors will pick granules off the ground, so it is not necessary to provide grit to them. If you do feel your bird may need grit, try to get a soluble kind, as it will eventually dissolve out of the bird's crop and in doing so will provide calcium and other such minerals. Oyster shell grit is ideal. A bird will only need a few grains of grit.

Q. What can I give my bird as a treat?
A. An occasional treat or reward is a nice thing for a bird. It might be a bit of favorite fruit/vegetables. Cheese, a commercially prepared birdie treat, a spray of millet, a bit of people food (Sammy conure gets a teeny, teeny bit of pizza when we order one) a nut is a nice treat too, and it's fun to play with. Remember, if the treat seems minuscule to you, recall that you are much bigger than your bird, so adjust the serving accordingly.

***HELP! My bird won't eat anything but seeds! What do I do?!***
Be patient. Some birds will just refuse to eat pellets outright. There's nothing to be done in a case like that. There are various opinions on how to convert a seed-eater to pellets. Cockatiels are notably the most stubborn. The process can take anywhere from two weeks to two years. You begin by mixing in some pellets with the seed and gradually, decreasing the amount of seed and increasing the pellets. Vegetables and fruits have to be presented daily. Some birds will not eat sliced carrots, but will eat them shredded or whole. Keep this in mind when serving the bird. It may like its apple quartered instead of sliced. Experiment. Birds like things that are fun to eat. Peas in a pod, whole beans, melon is good, and birds love the seeds. Broccoli seems to be widely and nearly immediately accepted. Try skewering a fruit or vegetables, and then not only is it food, but a toy! Keep trying. Some people just take away the seed all at once, and let the birds get hungry enough until they break down and eat the pellets. But you have to be careful, some birds would rather starve than try something new, or it might be that they are unable to recognize the pellets as "food" because it doesn't fit their picture of "food" (seeds). In such a case, watch for all-black droppings, it means the bird is starving to death. You may have to try different brands of pellets as well. Patience is the key to this, and well worth it. It helps the birds to lead healthier--and fuller, more active lives.

SOURCES OF PELLETED DIETS & TREATS:

Big Sun Products (Vita Bird Pellets) 1-800-366-9645	Breeder's Blend 8338 Terra Grande Ave. Springfield, Va. 22153 Phone: (703) 644-6415 Fax: (703) 644-6415 Avicultural Care & Nutritional Research Inc. A Balanced Hookbill Diet for Large and Small Birds.
Brown's (Tropical Carnival) 1-800-334-8816 ext. 62	Dr. D's Avi-Sci, Inc. 4477 S. Williams Rd. St. Johns, MI 48879 1-800-942-3438 or (517) 224-9227 Fax: (517) 224-9227 mike@avi-sci.com They have various pellets for different diets, as well as a variety of "Spicey Treats".
Hagen (Tropican granules) 1-800-225-2700	Handley Corp. (Brazilia) 1-800-577-1163
Harrison's Bird Diet c/o HBD International, Inc. 220 Congress Park Drive Suite 232 Delray Beach, FL 33445 1-800-346-0269	Kaytee P.O. Box 230 Chilton, WI 53014 1-800-KAYTEE-1 or 1-800-529833-1
Lafeber Company BT7 92 RR#2 Odell, IL, 60460 1-800-842-6445 ext. 922	Lake's Ultimate Avian Diet 639 Stryker Avenue St. Paul, MN, 55107 1-800-634-2473
(Mazuri's) PMI Feeds, Inc. 1401 S. Hanley Road St. Louis, MO 63144	Pretty Bird International, Inc. 5810 Stacy Trail P.O. Box 177 Stacy, MN 55079-0177 1-800-356-5020
Roudybush Feeds P.O. Box 908 Templeton, CA 934654 1-800-326-1726	Scenic Bird Foods Marion Zoological Inc. 13803 Industrial Park Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55441 1-800-327-7974 (Available only through Veterinarians, and certain dealers)
Topper Bird Ranch Rt. 19, Box 529 Lexington, NC 27292	Ziegler Brothers, Inc. P.O. Box 95 Gardner's PA 17324 1-800-841-6800
ZuPreem 1-800-345-4767

SOURCE FOR SPIRULINA

SUNTEC Inc. P.O. Box 800208 Elmhurst N.Y. 11308 E.U. Phone: (718)335-8523 Fax: (718)333-3933

SOURCES FOR COOKED SUPPLEMENTS

Crazy Corn 7621 Fulton Ave. North Hollywood,Ca. 91605-1805 1-818-503-4986

Flights of Fancy 1594 Hilltop Drive El Cajon, CA, 92020-8227 1-800-776-MEAL (1-800-776-6325)

SOURCES FOR HOME GROWN SPROUTS

China Prairie Company 1180C Evergreen Road Redway, CA 95560 888-373-7401 cpc@chinaprairie.com

SOURCES FOR LIVE FOOD

Grubco PO Box 15001 Hamilton, OH, 45015 1-800-222-3563

Rainbow Mealworms 126 E. Spruce Street PO Box 4907 Compton, CA, 90224 1-213-635-1494 for inquiries & information. 1-800-777-9677 (orders)

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This FAQ is by no means meant to replace the many wonderful and informative books, breeders, magazines, and veterinarians that are out there.

Last Revised: Friday, 18-Jul-2008 19:47:09 MDT ( Damian )