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Parrotlet Diet

52K views 86 replies 45 participants last post by  Raylove2000 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I am an advocate for Shauna's Mash Diet from Feeding Feathers Yahoo forum, which is the natural whole foods diet I have fed for years. To summarize it as simply as possible, remembering that any changes in the right direction are positive:

Grains, 30% of the diet, soaked overnight and preferably sprouted, at least 4 different grains. The grains also can be cooked, combined with cooked legumes and frozen as a mash base in ice cube trays or small zip locks, depending on how many birds you are feeding. Millet, quinoa, oats (whole, not rolled or cut), hulless barley (not pearl), wheat berries, kamut, spelt, wild rice, brown rice, raw buckwheat.

Legumes, 15% of the diet (two parts grains to one part legumes complement each other for complete protein). Choose from the most easily digestible legumes, mung, lentil, whole pea, adzuki and garbanzo - these are the ONLY legumes recommended for sprouting because of anti-nutritional properties in other legumes. They must be soaked overnight, then sprouted fully until they have 1/2" tails, or soaked overnight and cooked (boil 10 minutes, simmer 20 minutes).

Vegetables, about 45% of the diet. Preferably at least 5 different vegetables per day, run through a food processor or finely chopped to avoid picking through for favorites. Choose at least one orange vegetable (pumpkin, carrot, winter squash, sweet potato), and at least one dark leafy green (kale, collard, mustard greens, dandelion greens - if you want to feed spinach, chard or beet greens only occasionally because of the high oxalate content). Other vegetables to reach at least five per day: broccoli, celery, romaine or other dark leaf lettuce, peas, zucchini, chayote, green beans, bell pepper, chili pepper, cabbage, bok choy, carrot tops, cactus leaf (nopal).

Fruit, choose two different fruits per day for about 5 to 10% of the diet, preferably from the more nutritious fruits. Papaya, mango, all berries, cantaloupe, pomegranate, kiwi, citrus, nectarine, peach, cherry, apricot, banana, pear, figs, apple. Try to vary the fruits, not offering the same one or two fruits day after day.

Optional ingredients: broken up whole grain pasta, minced wheatgrass, sprouted seeds. You also can offer a dry mix of mostly grains mid-day.

Supplements: Tiny pinch of organic powdered alfalfa daily (or can alternate with powdered wheat or barley grass). Powdered Kelp for Iodine (very important if not receiving fortified food, pellets, etc.) a few grains only per day, very little - you do not want to give too much. For Omega 3 EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids, about 10 whole flax seeds daily, or a drop of flax or hemp seed oil every other day.

I make up my fresh vegetables in the food processor, enough for 3 days, and add several pieces of whole wheat pasta (whole) which absorbs the moisture and helps the mix stay fresh. You can add a finely minced (or food processed with the other vegetables) garlic clove to the vegetable mix.
Reta
 
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#3 ·
You're welcome! I think it's more helpful than just referring people to the Diet forum to read through threads, and it's definitely more time consuming for me to repeat the same information often!
Reta
 
#5 ·
I offer Cello a dry, mostly grain mix that I mix up myself. It has red and white millet, quinoa, canary seed, oat groats, and sometimes wheat or kamut. I prefer to give him sprouted grains, though he often gets both sprouted and dry. That's lunch around here. Morning and evening are fresh foods, plus the cooked mix in the evening.

www.parrotsontheporch.com has an organic mix for little parrots that can be fed dry or sprouted.
Reta
 
#7 ·
Apple seeds and cherry, apricot and peach pits all contain amygdalin, a cyanide and sugar compound that changes into hydrogen cyanide when metabolized. While apple seeds actually contain only a small amount (much less than apricot and peach pits), they are not considered that toxic to mammals because they often pass through the digestive tract whole. Parrots however usually will crack seeds and pits, so they are more of a concern with feeding.
Reta
 
#8 ·
I am so glad to see this as a sticky! I have a whole file on my computer of your various diet postings - in fact, I was just referring to them again. Now here it is in one place. Thank you~ Now a question. I'd switched Bitsy over to mostly the grains, legumes, fruits and veggies as above. In fact, I wasn't feeding seed daily. Then when I put it in the cage, he'd just go crazy. Is it a mistake that I haven't been giving him seed? My seed mix has been converted to the low fat seed you recommended, Reta. I was sprouting for him for a while - but our life situation has been such that I haven't been able to do that recently. Do I need to start offering the seed daily?
 
#9 ·
Yes, you can feed him a dry grain/seed mix, best not all high fat seeds though! P'lets are active birds and need energy foods. Carbohydrates from whole grains are great for that. And, you can give him a piece of millet spray a few times a week. I usually give a dry mix or millet spray around the middle of the day so they do eat the healthy fresh food in the a.m. and p.m.
Reta
 
#11 ·
Millet actually is low fat, only about 4.25% compared to around 50% for sunflower, safflower, etc. So, it's fine and nutritious. No, I don't think you've done him harm not giving him seeds if you're giving him the grains and legumes (combined make for complete protein), plus fresh vegetables and fruits, AND if he hasn't lost any weight on that diet. If he's the same weight, he is probably very healthy!
Reta
 
#14 ·
diet

:)Proper and adequate diet is the single most notable
aspect in shaping the health, vitality, and permanence
of your Parrotlet.

Because we have removed them from their normal
surroundings, they are ham-fisted to hunt and select
for their food, so it is very crucial that we offer
them an adequate ration as a complete diet.

In the natural surroundings, a Parrotlet's
diet contains a huge variety of nourishing green plants,
from leaves, buds, springs, shoots, blossoms, and stems,
to nuts, seeds, fruits and berries. So, a majority of the
diet consists of fibrous green foods.

As a bird keeper, you need to emulate this green food
diet to keep your Parrotlet healthy. It is
advisable that you offer your Parrotlet one
or two green foods daily.

A diet containing mainly of seeds is insufficient for proper
nourishment for a Parrotlet. Besides, it is too
high in fat. Seeds should be fed in isolation only in the absence
of other healthy food choices because in Parrotlet
parlance, seeds are akin to junk food. Birds love them, but they
are not always the best options. Moreover, once hooked, birds
can become fussy when it comes to trying a varied diet.

Most pet Parrotlets need a diet that is a mix of
a variety of nourishing and freshly prepared foods, pellets
and having a small proportion of seeds in them.

Your Parrotlet's diet should contain dark yellow
and leafy green vegetables like Celery and lettuce that are
high in yarn and water content, as well as fruits like oranges
and papaya.

You also need to ensure that your Parrotlet's diet
has a sufficient quantity of proteins and vitamin A. For adequate
intake of proteins, you should give yourParrotlet food
items like rice and tofu. For vitamin A, ensure that your
Parrotlet gets food items like broccoli, sprout leaves,
dandelion leaves, spinach, turnip greens, and collard greens.

Apart from ensuring a proper diet for your Parrotlet,
you also need to follow proper food preparation techniques.

Make sure that you wash your dishes before preparing the food,
sanitize cutting surfaces and utensils and wash all the food items
thoroughly before giving them to your Parrotlet.

What NOT to feed your Parrotlet.

Keep your Parrotlet away from onions, germinated
Lima, fava and navy beans, fruit pits and apple seeds.

A Parrotlet is intolerant to lactose. That means that
no milk products, beyond a little quantity of hard cheese and
yogurt, should be fed to your Parrotlet.

The above tips should give you a good idea of what you need to
do in order to take care of your Parrotlet's diet.

However, your Parrotlet's diet is such an important
aspect of maintaining your Parrotlet that I have
devoted an entire book to this topic in the full version of my
training course.

And there is obviously not enough space here to cover everything
that it is absolutely necessary for you to know about your Parrotlet's diet.:)
 
#15 ·
christyandrue, I see that you're new and I don't remember seeing an introduction. Maybe you could tell us a little about yourself and your bird(s) in the Introductions forum.

I agree with you on many of the diet points you make, but have a couple areas of disagreement. "Dark yellow and leafy green vegetables like celery and lettuce" - those two vegetables are low nutrient, fine to feed occasionally but not to rely on for good nutrition.

"For adequate intake of proteins, you should give yourParrotlet food items like rice and tofu." Rice is one of the least nutritious grains (and I'm talking about brown rice, not white rice, only whole grains), so there are better choices to feed though it's fine to feed a small portion of the diet in brown rice. I prefer to feed a mix of grains for better nutrition. Grains need to be combined with legumes in order to provide complete protein through complementary amino acids. The recommended legumes that are most digestible are mung, lentil, whole pea, and garbanzo. These can be soaked overnight and cooked the next day after draining, rinsing and adding fresh water - boil 10 minutes, then cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes. Or, after overnight soaking, they can be sprouted. The appropriate ratio for grains to legumes is 2:1 for complete protein.

There is some controversy about soy in the diet for parrots, though tofu is one of the most easily digestible forms of soy. I personally rarely feed it though it's probably fine to offer on a once or twice a week basis as part of a varied diet.

"For vitamin A, ensure that your
Parrotlet gets food items like broccoli, sprout leaves,
dandelion leaves, spinach, turnip greens, and collard greens."

Yes, those food items have beta-carotenes, but don't forget carrot, sweet potato, winter squash such as butternut, acorn and pumpkin, mustard greens, apricots, cantaloupe, papaya, mango, and orange.

"I have devoted an entire book to this topic in the full version of my
training course."

Just a reminder, Talk Parrotlets does not allow commercial postings - check on the site rules at the bottom. You cannot promote here a product or business that you are involved in.
Reta


"
 
#17 · (Edited)
I have been relying on pellets as part of Sadie's diet to make sure she gets all her nutrients plus she really likes them. So I would say she eats about 30% pellets and the rest fresh foods. For Healey I would like to keep his pellet intake to a bit less than that. I bought some 18 bean mix to cook up and add into their diets. I am just checking to make sure this ok for birds? I actually bought it bulk from the community Health Food store here in Calgary and it is organic but aall the beans are acceptable to feed once soaked and cooked, correct? I also got a jar of wheat grass powder and I started sprinkling on a pinch of that to their fresh foods. I also give them a few flax or hemp seeds as a supplement or treat. Hemp seeds work well with clicker training. :) and a few grains of fresh bee pollen.
 
#18 ·
I wouldn't suggest using the bean soup mixes for the birds. They contain some of the less digestible beans, such as limas, kidneys, etc. I think it's better to stick with mung, lentil, whole pea (split pea is okay if soaked and cooked), and garbanzo. I mostly sprout the legumes, but soaking overnight, draining, rinsing and cooking the next day is fine too.

Wheat and barley grass powder are excellent natural supplements, as is powdered alfalfa leaf. I feed a pinch of one of these at the morning meal, plus a very TINY amount of powdered kelp. Mountain Rose Herbs is a good internet source for these organic supplements.
Reta
 
#20 ·
I have been very happy with the quality from Mountain Rose Herbs too. Re the kelp which supplies necessary iodine, P'lets should only get the tiniest amt, really just a few grains. I give a small pinch of the green supplements, and you don't need to worry with those about giving too much, within reason of course!
 
#21 ·
Ok - got it! The next thing I want to do is get some flax seed. I so appreciate all of your good information you've shared - and your bringing it together in the "sticky" on the forum. I've worked with Bitsy's diet for months, and I think he's doing really well over all. Even though I process his food in the small food processor, the little stinker still picks around the dark leafy greens. At least I know I'm doing all I can. Once again, Reta, thanks!
 
#22 ·
What does everyone sprout and where do you purchase it? I want to try sprouting but don't know where to even begin. I looked in the grocery store for some mung beans and couldn't find any... would beans from the store be good to use? I saw some lentils there, and was thinking about trying with them.

Where do you buy seeds for sprouting? Can I sprout the seeds from his seed mix I already have?

Also, what precautions do you take to avoid mold? I guess what I need is a lesson on sprouting for dummies. lol Any help would be appreciated.

This site makes it seem like an all day process.
http://www.landofvos.com/articles/sprouts.html

This site makes it seem easy.
http://www.ittybittybirdiebites.com/sprouts.html
 
#23 ·
You might want to check out this website:
http://www.sproutpeople.com/

Sprout People has lots of good info about how to sprout, in addition to selling supplies. I buy the Lil' Bird Mix, which has a mixture of 26 kinds of organic seeds. My birds LOVE sprouts!

Parrots On The Porch is another good website for sprouts and food:
http://www.parrotsontheporch.com/cgi-bin/quikstore.cgi?category=Sprouts&search=yes

It's very simple to do (really!), but it does take a couple of days to sprout. If you search this forum, I believe there are some threads about how to sprout seeds. Once the seeds are sprouted, they are very nutritious for your birds.

Good luck! Hope you give it a try!
 
#24 ·
Thanks for your reply jodeg! :)

Those prices are a bit to steep for me at the momemt. I'm going to have to try and find something more affordable for now.

I did look through the forum. I now know what's good to sprout but am still a bit confused about the sprouting process. I've read to soak them overnight in a jar, and then in the morning rinse them well. I got that part... then what? Just leave them out of water in a strainer? I also read that they need to be rinsed frequently... how often would that be? What happens when I'm at work and am not home to rinse them?

Also, I saw on a few sites people saying they sprout using cookie sheets and damp paper towels. Is that safe if you rinse them often and would you have to change the paper towels often?

Everyone says it’s so easy but it doesn’t sound that way. I’m just worried I’ll do something wrong and they'll get mold or bacteria. :confused:
 
#25 ·
I don't like to use a jar for sprouting because I think good air circulation is very important to avoid any problems with mold. I use just a simple strainer. After soaking overnight in a small bowl or cup, the grains (or legumes) are put into the strainer, rinsed and then just set the strainer over the bowl or cup, to catch the drips. Rinse a few times during the day, and the grains will be ready by the next morning. Legumes (only the recommended varieties) take a little longer because they need to have 1/2" tails before feeding (1/4" for lentils). I let the finished sprouts drain really well (not completely dry, but not dripping wet), then store in a covered container in the refrigerator, and they will keep fine for several days. I wouldn't use paper towels.
 
#26 ·
I rinse the seeds (usually a couple of tablespoons), put them in a small margarine cup with the lid on, and then soak them overnight in the refrigerator (they swell up a bit). Then I rinse them REAL well under running water. You can buy a sprouting kit, but to keep it real simple and less expensive, just get a small strainer and put the seeds in the strainer to rinse them.

After that, I LEAVE the seeds in the strainer and set the strainer on the kitchen counter hanging in that small margarine cup to catch the drips (not in direct sunlight). Then I rinse them every 2-3 hours during the day, still leaving them in the strainer. The idea is that the seeds don't dry out completely, just like you'd do if you were trying to get grass seed to grow in your yard.

After that first day, you may start to see the seeds open a little -- they don't all sprout, and they don't all sprout at the same time. Rinse them again before bed and leave them on the kitchen counter. The next morning, I rinse again and check to see how long the "tails" are. That's the sprouted part. If they are about 1/4" long, I'm done rinsing.

Then I usually spread them out on a paper towel to dry. After that, they should be kept in the fridge in a sealed contailer (like that margarine cup with a lid)

I've read that they are most nutritious when the tails are just about 1/4". When they get longer than that, they aren't as nutritious.

Since you work, it might be easier for you to do the rinsing part when you're off work. They usually sprout really fast too.

It may sound complicated, but once you try it, you'll see how easy it is -- really!

Hope this helps a little!
 
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