A good pellet diet is the main staple of most species of parrots, supplemented with fresh vegetables, a small amount of fresh fruit and tree nuts. Peanuts should be avoided due to risk of aspergillosis. There are many brands and formulations of pellet to choose from, some are organic, some are natural and some contain color. Pellets come in all different shapes and sizes. Seed should never be the bulk of your parrot’s diet, they lead to fatty liver disease as well as atherosclerosis. Consult with your avian vet to determine the best diet for your species of parrot.
Hyacinth Macaws, Eclectus parrots and Lorikeets require special diets and your vet should help you to determine what their diet should consist of.
Foods for your parrot should be provided in a variety of shapes, colors, textures and sizes.
The diet should consist of:
Quality Protein— up to 20% of the diet
Examples include nofat plain yogurt,non fat cheese, tofu, non fat cottage cheese, hard boiled eggs, chicken, tuna packed in water and turkey.
Vitamin A— 30% derived from vegetables, not fruit
The darker the fleshy part, the better for your bird. Green and yellow-orange vegetables include greens, kale, spinach, beet greens, chicory, parsley, green peppers, hot peppers, sweet potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, acorn squash,red peppers and pumpkin
Other Fruits and Vegetables—-15% to 20% of the diet
Corn on the cob, peas in a pod, bean sprouts, greenbeans, okra, beets, asparagus, potato, apple, grapes, bananas, berries,pomegranates, oranges, blueberries, kiwi, cranberries and pineapple as well as others.
Whole Grains– 15% to 20%
Examples include whole grain toast or bread, whole grain cereals, pastas, brown rice, low fat granola, wild rice, oat bran, quinoa, whole grain pretzels without salt and whole grain crackers.
Carbohydrates— 10% of the diet
Carbohydrates come from fruits, pasta, grains, bread, corn, beans, potatoes, peas, dairy products, nuts and seeds.
Problems that can result from poor diet or over feeding include obesity which leads to fat deposits around vital organs and the reproductive tract. Fatty liver disease and pancreas problems. Too much protein in the diet can lead to liver and kidney damage.
