Category: Diet

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Missing Link

Missing Link is an Avian Dietary Supplement that contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, fiber, and added plant nutrients to fortify the diet. It does not contain any preservatives or artificial colors or flavors.

Missing Link is fed daily according to your bird’s size: 1/8 tsp for small birds, 1/4 tsp for medium birds, and 1/2 tsp for large birds. There are many ways to incorporate it into your bird’s diet, such as baking it into bird breads/muffins. The preferred method is sprinkling it over soft, wet foods like apple, orange, oatmeal, scrambled egg, etc., as it will stick better to the food items. While it can be sprinkled over seeds, the powder may settle to the bottom of the bowl. It is not water soluble, and should not be mixed into the drinking water.

Results can include healthier skin, shinier plumage, a decrease in feather picking, increased energy levels, and over-all better nutrition.

Missing Link is recommended for bird that are fed a primarily seed-based diet. Birds on a pelleted diet will have many of these beneficial ingredients already in their pellets.

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Pea Pod Playtime

Give your parrot a reason to play with its food! Snow peas and snap peas are a healthy and convenient snack that incorporates foraging and item manipulation!

These types of peas were cultivated with an edible pod, and can be fed cooked or raw- just makes sure they are washed well. Both types are a good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Iron, and a range of B-vitamins. Try offering snap pea pods and snow pea pods whole, halved, by hand during out-of-cage play time, or even skewered on a stainless steel treat/toy kabob.

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Sprouting

It is well-known that sprouted seeds are nutrient-rich; you can find sprouts in health food stores, on menus in salads, and there are home-sprouting kits online. Sprouting has also become very popular for birds as well. An alternative to sprouting is to soak seeds to the point of germination where a tip just begins to emerge. Germination requires less time, decreases chance of mold growth, and is still very nutritious. Sprouting can also be done in the refrigerator, where the colder temperature inhibits mold growth, although the sprouting process takes longer.

Good seeds to sprout for parrots Good legumes to sprout for parrots
barley
buckwheat
chili/bell pepper seeds
popcorn
millet
safflower
sesame
sunflower seeds
quinoa
wheat berries**Many other quality mixes can be purchased online.		 adzuki
garbanzos
mung beans
whole lentils
whole peas

**Other large beans may contain toxic compounds and are not best for sprouting and should only be fed if thoroughly soaked and cooked.

Disclaimer: Sprouts do have the potential to grow mold if not rinsed properly, or not grown in correct environments/temperatures. If your sprouts smell bad, they are likely spoiled and should be discarded.

 The following directions are general steps for sprouting. Some seeds and legumes will vary in their time needed to soak and the time before sprouting occurs. There is plenty of additional information online regading sprouting specifically for birds.

1. Using a mesh strainer, rinse 1/4 cup seeds/legumes. Put the mix into a glass container and fill with enough water to cover the mix 2-3 inches. Let soak overnight.

 
2. Pour the soaked mix back into the strainer and rinse. Many people use glass Ball or Kerr mason jars for sprouting along with a special sprouting lid that makes rinsing and draining easy. You can also use cheesecloth or fine-mesh netting secured with a rubberband. Complete drainage and ventilation is important!
3. Keep the sprout mix at room temperature and out of direct light. Repeat rinsing and straining/draining 2-4 times a day. It is best to drain at an angle, with the opening oriented between 4 and 5 o’ clock.
4. After 2-4 days, the mixture will be sprouted and ready to serve. Check the odor- sprouts can smell “earthy” and sweet but should not smell foul or pungent. Always rinse and dry sprouts before feeding them to your birds.
5. Sprouts can be stored in the refrigerator for an additional 2-3 days. Drain well before storing as excess water can cause them to spoil.
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Eggfood

Eggfood is available for many small birds, and is normally relished by finches, canaries, budgies, grass parakeets, and cockatiels. While it can be given to larger parrots, the crumb size is fairly small and they may not be interested in it.

Many brands and varieties to available to choose from. Most eggfoods are general for all birds, but some have been developed with softbills and insectivores in mind, or with color additives for red factor canaries. They usually contain a wide-range of vitamins and minerals, and are a good source of protein. Eggfood is a good addition to round out a seed-based diet.

Eggfood can be offered sprinkled over seeds, but it may settle to the bottom. If offered in a separate dish, it can be fed dry or moistened with water for a crumbly texture. If you do wet it, just remember to remove it after a few hours because it can spoil.