Feeding a parrot that is kept in captivity does require a certain amount of diligence on the owners part to ensure that the parrot is getting the right food and a good variety of vitamins and nutrition.
The first thing to keep in mind is the fact that parrots in their own environment, will select from a wide range of food to eat.
Anything from fresh fruit and vegetables, to seeds, nuts, flower heads and even the odd bit of meat will be eaten by a parrot depending on its size and species.
With this information in mind a parrot owner can vary their parrot's diet so that it gets a good healthy selection to eat.
Often when reading about what to feed a parrot there is a certain amount of generalization but when you think about it, it is not that likely that a parrot that is 18 inches long will eat the same food as a parrot that is only 6 inches long.
Before even comparing anything else, the size and strength of the larger beak is going to allow the larger parrot to eat a wider range of foods, especially larger nuts and seeds that the smaller parrot cannot manage.
The importance of Vitamin A.
Vitamin A is required for good skin as well as feather condition and repair, plus the parrot's eyesight and it helps the body fight infection.
In order to make sure that the parrot is receiving its required vitamins (especially Vitamin A), carbohydrates and other nutrients a wide range of fruit and vegetables is desirable.
Berries are especially popular with parrots as this is one food that they would find a plenty in the wild.
Green vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, green capsicum, along with the yellow vegetables like carrots, pumpkin, red capsicums and sweet potatoes are also an excellent source of Vitamin A.
Parrots love fresh fruits as well and these are a natural food for the tropical parrot who love melons, papaya, mangoes, peaches and other sweet fruit.
Protein.
It is very important that protein is included in the diet every few days and it can be given in the form of meat, well-cooked chicken, white fish, brown rice, various nuts and other foods.
Protein is also found in egg and this also is rich in other nutrients.
Larger parrots love all sorts of nuts and seeds but the small parrots can only manage the smaller nuts as their beaks are not so strong, along with a variety of seeds.
Monitoring Parrot Feeding.
As it is crucial that a parrot does eat every day a parrot owner does need to monitor the food input.
The best way to do this is to start each day fresh with new food and then if there is food left over at the end of the day it can be decided if the parrot is or is not eating at all, and if so how much.
Each day's food intake should be monitored and food should be removed from the cage regularly otherwise it will get contaminated with droppings, causing the growth of bacteria.
Parrots are very susceptible to infections but when their vitamins and nutrients are monitored there is much less chance of any problems.
The first thing to keep in mind is the fact that parrots in their own environment, will select from a wide range of food to eat.
Anything from fresh fruit and vegetables, to seeds, nuts, flower heads and even the odd bit of meat will be eaten by a parrot depending on its size and species.
With this information in mind a parrot owner can vary their parrot's diet so that it gets a good healthy selection to eat.
Often when reading about what to feed a parrot there is a certain amount of generalization but when you think about it, it is not that likely that a parrot that is 18 inches long will eat the same food as a parrot that is only 6 inches long.
Before even comparing anything else, the size and strength of the larger beak is going to allow the larger parrot to eat a wider range of foods, especially larger nuts and seeds that the smaller parrot cannot manage.
The importance of Vitamin A.
Vitamin A is required for good skin as well as feather condition and repair, plus the parrot's eyesight and it helps the body fight infection.
In order to make sure that the parrot is receiving its required vitamins (especially Vitamin A), carbohydrates and other nutrients a wide range of fruit and vegetables is desirable.
Berries are especially popular with parrots as this is one food that they would find a plenty in the wild.
Green vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, green capsicum, along with the yellow vegetables like carrots, pumpkin, red capsicums and sweet potatoes are also an excellent source of Vitamin A.
Parrots love fresh fruits as well and these are a natural food for the tropical parrot who love melons, papaya, mangoes, peaches and other sweet fruit.
Protein.
It is very important that protein is included in the diet every few days and it can be given in the form of meat, well-cooked chicken, white fish, brown rice, various nuts and other foods.
Protein is also found in egg and this also is rich in other nutrients.
Larger parrots love all sorts of nuts and seeds but the small parrots can only manage the smaller nuts as their beaks are not so strong, along with a variety of seeds.
Monitoring Parrot Feeding.
As it is crucial that a parrot does eat every day a parrot owner does need to monitor the food input.
The best way to do this is to start each day fresh with new food and then if there is food left over at the end of the day it can be decided if the parrot is or is not eating at all, and if so how much.
Each day's food intake should be monitored and food should be removed from the cage regularly otherwise it will get contaminated with droppings, causing the growth of bacteria.
Parrots are very susceptible to infections but when their vitamins and nutrients are monitored there is much less chance of any problems.