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Birds & Dairy

A little cereal at breakfast, a little yogurt at lunch, or maybe some cheese at dinner… many parrot owners do not think twice about offering dairy items as a part of their birds’ diet. For other parrot owners though, feeding dairy products is a strict “no”. The reasoning behind the decision may vary. Some owners avoid feeding dairy because of the high fat content, while others reason that birds are not mammals and do not ingest milk in the wild. Birds lack the enzymes necessary to break down the lactose in milk and some other dairy products- this makes it more difficult for them to digest.

Feeding too much dairy can lead to diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset. Owners that do feed dairy like it as a treat, a source of calcium, and breeders may included it for the fat and protein. Some dairy items such as yogurt and cheese contain minimal lactose due to the manufacturing process. Just like other table foods, moderation is key. If you do offer cheeses to your bird, stick with hard cheeses, like a small piece of cheddar. Soft cheeses like mozzarella are not recommended as the gummy consistency can lead to an impacted crop.

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Bird Fruitcake

A holiday favorite from the first year of our newsletter in 2012, we’ve included it again for all of our new subscribers!

This delightful twist on a holiday fruitcake is simple and tasty. Bake in mini-muffin tins for convenient portions that can also be stored in the freezer for later.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup softened butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/3 cup flour
  • 1 15 oz canned fruit cocktail (lite syrup or water packed)
  • 2 tbsp raisins
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground clove
  • 1/2 cup chopped unsalted nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds, pistachios, etc.)
  • 2 tbsp shredded coconut (fresh, sweetened, or unsweetened)

Directions

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 F.
2. Open the can of fruit and strain the liquid. (This can be saved if you wish to soften the raisins.)
3. *Optional* To soften raisins, place them in a small pot with the fruit liquid (or plain water). Bring to a light boil and cook for about 10 minutes.
4. Spread the canned fruit pieces and raisins on a cutting board and chop finely.
5. In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the softened butter with the egg.
6. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.
7. Slowly add the flour and spice mixture to the large bowl and stir together with the butter and egg mixture. It will be thick and you may need to knead together by hand.
8. Mix in the chopped fruit, nuts, and shredded coconut.
9. Spray mini-muffin tins with non-stick spray, or lightly grease them. Fill each well 3/4 with batter and bake for about 25 minutes. (Longer times may be needed for regular muffins or small loaf sizes. Like other baked goods, insert a toothpick into the center and remove, if it comes out clean it should be fully cooked.)

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Tiny Toys

Canaries and finches are popular pets because of their small size, beautiful colors, and singing ability. Although they do not have hooked bills like parrots, that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t have toys and stimulation in their cages! While parrots like chipping away at wood and shredding, finches and canaries like toys with threads and feather or hair-like material that they can pull and preen. They also are interested in shiny objects and toys that make noise. Here are some examples that are appropriate for small birds:

Bells are small toys that finches and canaries like to pull to ring and jingle.

Raffia-like strands are great for small birds as they don’t get tangled or frayed, but are fun to rustle and pull out for nesting material.

Small paper toys are fun for preening and pulling, and also don’t become tangled or knotted.

Sisal is a natural rope material that is excellent for preening and picking at.

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Covering the Cage

Many people think a cage cover is a bird-keeping necessity, but they aren’t sure why. Birds should have between 9-12 hours of sleep, but whether they are covered or uncovered is more of a personal preference and depends on your household.

If using a cover, frequently check it for snags and holes, this could be a health hazard where a bird could get caught or tangled in the cover.

You may want to consider covering your bird’s cage at night if:

– you stay up much later than your bird, and he is in the same room where you may have a tv on, or bright lights, music, or a lot of activity or conversation. All these things can be disruptive to their amount and quality of sleep. You may even consider a small sleeping cage that can be placed in a darker, quieter area of the home.

– your bird wakes up early. Having a covered cage can simulate a longer sleeping period by keeping it darker. Or try the opposite, and put them to bed early. Shorter daylight hours may also help hens that excessively lay eggs.

– you keep your bird outside. If your bird is acclimated to outdoor temperatures, it can still be beneficial to cover them at night to keep out drafts, outside noises and movement, and even help prevent wild night-time critters from bothering your birds.

– your bird has night-fright. This is common in cockatiels, and it is not well understood. Having a cover could help by blocking out shadows and other night-fright triggers. (Others suggest having a night light by the cage so if your bird is panicked, they can orient themselves and see their surroundings)