Basic Guide to Parrot Feeding

Parrot feeding is one of the most important things that a first-time parrot owner should learn. Apart from a roomy cage, diet is one of the things that this type of bird is very particular about. If you want your pet to do tricks, mimic words (and even sentences), and avoid making shrieking sounds, you have to make sure that they are happy, well-fed and properly hydrated. Below are some of the things that you need to know when it comes to food that parrots eat.

When parrot feeding, variety can be quite important for this type of bird. In the wild, this bird usually gets all its nutrients by foraging in the forest. However, when in captivity, some owners tend to feed parrots seeds and nuts alone, which are not enough because a parrot needs a balanced diet. It would be best to add fruits, vegetables, and even cooked rice and corn because these are good sources of vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. After feeding, do not forget to remove uneaten food on the tray, especially the raw and cooked food, because this can be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria that can make your pet sick.

You should also not forget that water is an essential part of parrot feeding. Many pet owners, especially the new ones, forget to replenish the water container for their pets. Like humans, this type of bird can also become dehydrated. Besides, since the bird is inside the cage, it cannot do anything but wait for the food and drinks that the owner serves. You really do not have to worry too much about where to get the food for your parrot. Nowadays, you can readily buy complete parrot food formula (mixture of grains, seeds, dried fruits and vegetables). There are even foods that are especially made for particular types of parrots, so feeding your pet does not have to give you headaches.

Also, there is really nothing wrong with using table food as a component of your parrot feeding. In fact, your parrot will welcome the taste of small bits of meat and even a chunk of cake once in a while. However, make sure that the food that you give your pet is small and easy to swallow. There are also some foods that you should absolutely not give your beloved bird. Some of the things that are believed to be harmful for your parrot include caffeine-rich foods, chocolate, avocado, and anything that is too sweet or too salty.

Gideon Williams is a parrot care expert.

Learn the What, When and How of Parrot Feeding

As with all pets, diet plays a major role in parrot care. The right knowledge on how to go about parrot feeding, what to feed it (they're finicky), and at what times of the day to give them food. Unlike conventional pets like canines or felines, parrots don't gobble up food at any time of the day.

When you bring Polly home to be a new member of your household, don't panic if he seems to have a lack of appetite. This is probably just a reaction to his new home. Give him time to adjust and when he feels secure in your abode, he will start to eat. You can speed-up this "adjustment period" somewhat by giving your new pet a tasty treat- maybe some honey-dipped crackers (no processed food please) or fresh fruit. Your parrot will recognize his new surroundings as a good source of food and will feel at home fast.  

If your find that your parrot still isn't eating as much as it should after quite some time of being in your care, it might have something to do with the time you're feeding it. Wild parrots get their food by foraging in the forest. They do this not only as a means to survive, but this also has a social function for them. Parrots forage in the morning at sunrise (when they wake-up) and right before going to sleep (at dusk). Proper parrot feeding then requires you to give them food during these times of the day. Try to give parrots food during lunch and chances are they won't have much of an appetite for it. Most animals have innate instincts left over from their wild ancestors and parrots are no exception.  

When we think of bird food, we automatically think bird seed. True, an assortment of various seeds can be part of good parrot feeding, but it shouldn't be the only source of nutrition. Seeds lack other nutrients like protein and calcium. Pellets are good, but feeding your pet pellets day in and day out might give it an overdose of nutrients. Variety is the key in parrot feeding. Seeds and pellets supplemented with fresh fruit and veggies will keep Polly from getting bored and develop behavioral problems.  

When it comes to what is really the ideal diet for parrots, there's somewhat of a debate. Ironically, a real expert on parrot nutrition still doesn't exist even though society has been adopting them as pets since ancient times. For this reason, parrot feeding necessitates a bit of research by the owner. You should be able to provide proper parrot care by knowing which types of food are nutritious or toxic for your pet.  

Ben Greene is an expert in parrot care. For information on feeding your parrot [http://www.happyparrotguide.com/parrot-feeding], visit [http://www.happyparrotguide.com].

Caring For Your Pet Parrot

Grooming

Parrots are a lot different from dogs and cats as pets. Unlike dogs and cats, parrots do not need blowdrys or spa treatments. Grooming a parrot should maintain clipped nails and wings and a beak in perfect shape. But this is not something easy to do. A pet parrot owner should be trained by a professional avian veterinarian to make sure that they know what they are doing. If not, never attempt on grooming your parrot because it might cause serious injuries.

BEAK

Be cautious certain types of conditions like an upper or lower beak growing off to the side is one. This can be defect acquired during birth or an injury from an accident. Cleaning and caring the beak might prove to be difficult in such a condition. Some illnesses might also cause problems in growing your parrot's beak such as mite or fungal infections.

NAILS

The first thing to know in cutting your parrot's toenails is to identify the desired length that the nails should be cut. For this procedure, you will need an effective bird holder or a method of safe restraint, a cutting device and a styptic powder. Never attempt to cut the nails if you are unsure and not properly trained to do it. In case you are, you will only get used to the right length as time progresses. The cutting device should be appropriate to the size of your parrot. For smaller ones, human nail trimmers will do but for larger ones, a pet nail trimmers or the guillotine-style nail trimmer is most appropriate. If in any case you cause your parrot's toenail to bleed, be ready with the styptic powder but be cautious because this is very painful when applied to an open wound so you have to restrict your parrot from moving wildly effectively.

Nails are important to be cut because this can cause injury to your parrot. Long toenails might get caught in rugs, carpets, toys and cages and can be the cause of a broken toe.

WINGS

A properly clipped parrot's wings can prevent a serious injury to your pet parrot. In an attempt to fly during play sessions, parrots can avoid falling to the ground hard with correct clipped wings. Not only that they will also not be prone to serious wing, leg and head injury because of crashing into doors, mirrors, windows and ceiling fans.

True, full-winged parrots are very nice to look at and add to the beauty of the parrot but keep in mind that your parrot is a pet and not left out in the wild where they can boast off their wings while looking for food, flying to safety, protecting their young and shelter or finding companionship. You would not want your parrot to wander and fly off just like that would you! So be sure to trim the wings of your parrot and trim it correctly. Never attempt to trim the wings for the purpose of style and wild appearance because this might cause your parrot to fall hard on the ground and go circles in the air. Aim for wings that will help your bird flutter harmlessly to the ground.

Feeding your parrot

Like in grooming, perhaps the one important thing you have to keep in mind is that your parrot is a pet and you do not compare or imitate the lifestyle of the parrot in the wild because the environment is totally different.

In feeding the parrot, you have to make a total conversion of the parrot's diet. Do not be carried away by books or petshop owners who are saying that seeds are the best diet your parrot could ever have.

Parrots like humans need to have a well-balanced diet. Seeds are great for wild parrots because they are high in fat and protein. But wild parrots' activities are not similar to pet parrots. Wild parrots get much exercise out there, flying here and there to look for food and find a shelter. They need all the weight, energy and fats they can get to do these activities. Pet parrots just stay home and only get exercise during very limited time of play sessions.

The acceptable diet to home-bound parrot pets is 70-80 percent "pelleted" diet and with the remaining 20-30 percent composition of fruits and veggies diet. It will also help if you go and ask your avian vet to make you a list of foods to avoid by your parrot. Some examples are raw onions, guacamole, chocolate or any milk products, avocado and rhubarb.

Cages and accessories

Parrots need a big cage so that they can have enough space to swing their wings fully and cling and hang as much as they want to. The best cages are those that are made of stainless steel, no paint chip off or rust that your bird might feed on. Plus they are great for cleaning considerations. They can be easily cleaned by a bleach solution and rinsed.

Feeding bowls that are stainless steel are ideal too. The perch should be thicker in size so that your bird can avoid toenail injuries and do not feed on it.

Parrot safety

Having a parrot at home means you have to make your home much safer for your bird companion. Toxic fumes released by appliances with non-stick surfaces are deadly for your pet parrot. So use them with caution or do not use them at all. Other dangerous household items that can cause serious damage to your parrots are scented candles, incense, cigarette smoke, cooking smoke, sprays, aerosol fumes and carpet powders, metals made of lead and zinc, toxic plants, electrical cords, hot and boiling foods and other pets.

Make sure that you have all the necessary information from your avian veterinarian before having a pet parrot. Ask him for a list of things you need to remember and avoid while having a bird companion. It may not be easy but you will get the hang of it later on.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://pet-birds.pet-breeds.com where you can learn about parrots and other pet birds

Latest Secrets to Parrot Feeding

Parrot feeding must comprise of different varieties of food, which can fulfill all the daily dietary requirements in the right proportion. Seeds may not be a healthy option as they contain high amounts of fat that can be replaced with other foods like pellets, which can provide more nutrition to the body. One of the main drawbacks of giving the same kind of food to the pets is the increasing difficulties while switching over to new foods. Thus, it is a good idea to introduce the pets to a variety of foods so that they can get used to it very easily.

Pet owners must pay particular attention to the parrots food and diet by preventing foods that contain toxic substances like pesticides. Most of the food that we buy today are loaded with harmful chemicals and pesticides, which are sprayed on the fruits and vegetables. Just like humans, even these pets are prone to the harmful effects of these pesticides, which can lead to sickness and give rise to health related problems. Thus, parrot feeding food must comprise of naturally grown fruits and vegetables like organic parrot food, which is good for your pet's health.

Homegrown fruits and vegetables can be a good choice as part of parrots food. However, if you do not have this option, then you can choose a safe alternative of providing natural foods, which contain low levels of pesticides in them. Cauliflower, Broccoli, Sweet potatoes, watermelons and bananas can be a healthier option for providing good source of nutrition and healthy foods to your pet. You can also check out some of the stores, which offer organic parrot food that may include sprout mixes, fresh mix of grains, veggies and breads made from fresh, natural and organic ingredients.

Pellets and crumbles can also be an ideal food, which provides nutrition to the pet as they meet most of dietary requirements of the pet. The best source of nutrition is green and leafy vegetables along with a combination of whole wheat bread, which is necessary for parrot feeding. Besides, small amounts of dairy products and proteins including breakfast cereals without milk is also preferred. Seeds and nuts can be given sparingly and in small amounts as the pets require a small percentage of fat to fulfill their dietary requirements.

Chocolates, avocados and alcohol are some of the foods, which are toxic in nature and should never be fed to the parrots. Besides, water is also equally important and must be given to the birds on a daily basis or there are chances of the pets suffering from dehydration which can make them prone to illness. It is important for pet owners to realize the importance of providing nutritious food for parrot feeding.

Ryan H. Grizzard is a parrot care expert. For more great information on parrot feeding visit http://www.parrotstalking.com.