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| PET GAZETTE | PFMA
PFMA
Nutrition for pet birds
BIRDS CAN MAKE GREAT PETS WITH THE
RIGHT CARE
Birds make wonderful pets and caring for them can be extremely
rewarding. There are currently over half a million pet birds in the UK.
In addition to being beautiful to look at, birds are inquisitive, intelligent
and have a great capacity for learning. Most are highly sociable,
eager to learn and can develop strong bonds with their owners.
The enjoyment of caring for pet birds can last a lifetime, with larger
birds sometimes living for 60 years or more. Smaller birds can live
for around 15 years. Each type of bird has their own nutritional and
housing requirements, Nicole Paley at the Pet Food Manufacturers’
Association (PFMA), talks about the nutritional needs of pet birds to
help retailers keep owners well informed.
THE IMPORTANCE OF A BALANCED DIET
FOR BIRDS
A balanced diet is very important for pet birds and it’s nearly
impossible to achieve this using human food or scraps. Bird food
products are formulated, based on existing evidence, to meet
the nutritional needs of those birds they are intended for. Owners
are encouraged to follow the feeding instructions provided by the
manufacturer, and supplement the diet with suitable leafy vegetables
and fruits to provide stimulation and foraging opportunities.
Please note; some human foods may be unsuitable or harmful
for birds, for example, birds cannot digest lactose, so milk, cheese
and other dairy products might make them ill. Avocadoes, onions,
chocolate, red meat and processed foods should not be fed.
DO ALL PET BIRDS EAT THE SAME THING?
The range of birds is enormous and they may have different dietary
requirements. Most companion birds (hard-bills) are seed eaters.
These are Canaries, Budgies, Finches, Cockatiels etc. Soft-bills, which
include Mynahs, Ornamental Starlings, Thrushes, Blackbirds and Pekin
Robins, eat mainly non-seed diets including insects, fruit, flowers,
leaves and nectar. PFMA members produce diets, supplements
and treats for different species of birds making it easier to ensure a
balanced diet.
SUPPLEMENTING THE DIET
Seed-based tonic mixtures can supplement the diet and should be fed
according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Cuttlefish bones and millet
sprays will provide additional calcium and carbohydrates respectively
and will also provide entertainment for smaller species such as
Budgerigars and Parakeets. There are many dietary supplements
available on the market in both mineral and water-soluble forms.
Please read the instructions, and consult the manufacturer or your vet
if you have any questions.
PELLET FEEDS
Pelleted feeds are usually complete diets, which means they have the
necessary nutrients such as vitamins and minerals added to them.
Pellets should also be chosen based on their suitability for the bird
species kept, and fed according to manufacturer’s guidelines. It is
also possible to feed birds pellets and seed mixes, while additional
vegetables, fruits and greens should also be provided to them daily.
SEED STICKS AND TREATS
In the wild, birds eat millet sprays fresh from the branches, and millet
sprays can offer both a source of entertainment and a healthy treat for
pet birds within the home. Other treats, such as ‘seed sticks’ provide
vitamins and minerals but also are a great source of activity for the
birds. As with all additional sources of nutrition, care should be taken
to avoid any overfeeding and treats should form no more than 10
percent of their calorie intake.
USEFUL RESOURCES:
PFMA Bird Size-O-Meter – help owners keep their birds in shape www.
pfma.org.uk/bird-size-o-meter/
SELECTIVE FEEDERS
Birds are considered selective feeders. Given the chance to select
from, they will choose their favourite food only, so providing a variety is
important for a balanced diet.
ARE SEED-BASED DIETS A VIABLE OPTION
FOR PET BIRDS?
While seeds alone are a popular choice, they may not provide all the
nutrition the pet your bird needs. Being selective feeders, it is important
to adjust portion size to the bird’s ideal body condition, follow the
feeding guidelines on the pack and make sure the bird eats all the
components of their food. A seed-based diet, if correctly blended by
the manufacturer and fed according to the instructions, will provide the
majority of the nutrients necessary. Remember, the blend needs to be
suitable for the bird species, and fed along with fresh leafy greens.
www.petgazette.biz
October 2018