Avian Medicine: Avian Nutrition:
Nutritional Strategies for the Companion Parrot
Authors: Susan E. Orosz, PhD, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian), Dipl ECAMS and Christal Pollock, DVM, Dipl. ABVP-Avian
Date: Dec 10, 2008
Key words: Formulated, pellet, extruded, diet, Nutri-Berries, Avi-Cakes, enrichment.
Key Points
- Seed-only diets are not recommended as the sole diet for companion parrots because they are deficient in essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. However seed-based diets promote normal behaviors such as beak and tongue manipulation of the various foods, sensation of textures for brain stimulation and foraging behaviors.
- Psittacine birds in captivity are not able to self balance their diets when offered a seed-only diet along with a choice of fruits and vegetables. Their inability to gain the required nutrients results in a number of nutritional deficiencies. Even in the wild, psittacines are only able to self-balance their energy, amino acids (that provide their protein requirement) and calcium needs.
- Birds with free choice of seed-only diets (which are high in fat) will be deficient in many nutrients, including amino acids, calcium and other minerals, and vitamins. Birds will eat to first meet their energy needs. Once those needs are met they then attempt to balance their amino acid needs followed by those for calcium, sodium and zinc. Seed-only diets have deficiencies in amino acids, so birds have to keep on eating to try to meet their amino acid needs. While trying to satisfy their amino acid and mineral needs, they get excess energy in the form of fat, becoming both obese and malnourished.
- Nutritionally balanced products are based on limited studies on companion birds along with detailed information on a variety of grain eaters that include chickens, ducks, quail and turkeys. Feeding balanced products improves the health and breeding of companion parrots.
- Pelleted and extruded foods developed for companion birds provide balanced nutrition in a convenient form. However, these diets by themselves do not provide sufficient physical or mental stimulation.
- Lafeber Company manufactures diets that are balanced nutritionally and promote natural behaviors including foraging behavior. Nutrients, including energy, amino acids and minerals, are dispersed throughout the diet in a mix of grains, seeds, and pellets. Lafeber foraging diets include: Nutri-Berries, Avi-Cakes , Nutri-Meals , and Nutri-An Cakes.
- The best diet for an individual companion bird will vary with its species, lifestyle, and life stage (or requirements for its life at that time). The diet should be tailored to meet the needs and some of the preferences of that individual avian patient.
Introduction
In the 1960s and 1970s, companion birds were commonly fed seed-only diets, rich in millet and oil seeds, including sunflower seeds. Dr. Ted Lafeber, Sr. observed in his veterinary hospital that birds fed a variety of vegetables, grains, fruits, and other “people foods” in addition to seeds were healthier and lived longer than birds that were fed seed-only diets. With this knowledge, Dr. Lafeber encouraged his clients to provide their birds a variety of healthy foods from vegetables to cooked eggs and supplemented their diets with vitamins and minerals that were lacking in seed-only diets. However, many of his clients did not have sufficient time to prepare a variety of foods and supplements each day. This inspired Dr. Lafeber to work with the premier avian nutritionist at the time. Together they developed a diet that was formulated to meet the needs of Dr Lafeber’s companion bird patients. For these diets, he ground together a mixture of seeds and grains with the correct mix of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids in balance for their health to form the first formulated bird food for companion birds in 1974.
Nutritional strategies
There are various approaches to provide food for the companion parrot. Each nutritional strategy has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Seed-only diets
An un-supplemented seed-only diet is not balanced for companion birds. These diets are deficient in some of the essential amino acids, minerals, and vitamins, particularly the fat-soluble vitamins – itamin A, D3, E, and K. Additionally, the amino acids are not present in the correct ratio to provide sufficient protein. For this reason, birds, trying to meet their amino acid and protein needs will continue to eat this unbalanced seed diet. They may get to their amino acid requirements but, because these diets are high in fats, they will get fat in the process. Seed-only diets are also deficient in calcium that can lead to a variety of problems – from seizures to egg binding. Therefore a seed-only diet leads to malnutrition and secondary health problems.
However seed-only diets are quite palatable. Ingestion of seeds also promotes natural behaviors like manipulating and cracking food items. Theoretically, seed-only mixes may be supplemented with vitamins and minerals. Most of these seeds are coated on the outside of the hull with these vitamin/mineral mixes. When the bird dehulls the seeds to eat them, the mix is removed. Therefore, seed mixes with added minerals and vitamins provide little nutritional value. Another technique is to add a colored pellet into the seed mix but most birds do not eat these, so balance for proper nutrition is not gained.
Pelleted diets
Pellets consist primarily of ground grains like corn, soybeans, and oats supplemented with vitamins and minerals to produce a balanced food. This mix is then made into cylindrical pellets by forcing the mix under increased temperature (160-180oF) and some pressure through a form.
The biggest advantage of pellets is they provide excellent nutritional value because the bird is not able to pick out individual components to – unbalance – its food. All Lafeber Company pellets and granules are in an easy-to-feed, balanced formulation that supports the maintenance requirements of adult companion birds. The finch and canary granules as well as parakeet and cockatiel pellets support all life stages from adult maintenance to breeding. Lafeber Company and Roudybush – are the only bird food companies that make a true pellet-based food.
Pellets, on the other hand, provide reduced enrichment for the bird because of their uniformity in shape and color. While seeds alone often vary in shape or color, one pellet looks pretty much like another. Unfortunately, pellets may not be accepted when compared to whole seeds, particularly in granivores like parakeets and cockatiels. These birds normally eat a large number of seeds in the wild so are naturally attracted to seed-based diets.
Extruded diets
Extruded bird foods were first introduced in the late 1980s. Like pellets, extrusion utilizes ground grains with appropriate addition of vitamins and minerals to balance the food. However, the ground mixture is forced through an extruder under high pressure and high temperatures (250 to 275oF or 90 to 180ºC) to create a variety of shapes and colors.
The extrusion process requires that the grains and seeds are more finely ground than when producing a true pellet. This fine grinding along with the high pressures and temperatures cook the product and result in complete gelatinization of starch. The small size and the extrusion process provides reduced stimulation to the GI tract and may produce a softer, wetter type stool that can have a sticky quality to it. An exception to this rule of thumb for particle size is Harrison’s© Bird Foods, which contains larger particle sizes in some of their diets. Like pellets, these foods homogenize the nutritional components and reduce the foraging benefit. Extruded foods are produced by a variety of bird food companies including Harrison’s© Bird Foods, Kaytee®, Zupreem®, and Hagen®.
Unfortunately, extruded diets may not be accepted when compared to whole seeds, particularly in granivores like parakeets and cockatiels. These birds normally eat a large number of seeds in the wild so are naturally attracted to seed-based diets.
Foraging diets
Nutri-Berries , Avi-Cakes , Nutri-An Cakes , and Nutri-Meals all contain a mix of pellets blended with grains and seeds. These pellets contain amino acids, vitamins and minerals and are dispersed through the diet. Each product is formulated as a balanced meal but is not ground up like a pellet. Their unique advantage is that they provide balanced nutrition like pellets while offering a variety of shapes and textures so important for foraging behaviors. This combination of seeds, grains and pellets in one product also makes these excellent foods for dietary conversion. The whole grains and seeds provide large-sized food particles, compared with pellets and extruded foods, to promote healthy gastrointestinal tract function.
Nutri-Berries were one of the first foraging, nutritionally balanced food introduced for companion birds along with Avi-Cakes. Nutri-Berries were the first to have the seeds shelled or dehulled and then have amino acids, vitamins and minerals added. This novel nutritional feeding strategy utilizes whole grains and seeds in a round shape while providing additional components for dietary balance. It is interesting that the shape and size of Nutri-Berries are identical to what parrots in the wild select. The shape helps birds engage in their natural foraging behavior.
All varieties of Nutri-Berries – Classic, Tropical Fruit, Sunny Orchard, El Paso, and Garden Veggie – are essentially the same nutritionally, while providing different tastes and textures. Nutri-Berries are similar in composition to pellets, as both include seeds and other components, except that the ingredients are not ground up. Nutri-Berries for parakeets and cockatiels support breeding, and all Nutri-Berries may be fed for adult maintenance.
Nutri-Berries also provide a source of enrichment due to their multiple textures, varying sizes and tastes of the grains and seeds and the crevices present. Nutri-Berries are often held by the foot in the larger species while eating, allowing them to mimic their natural feeding behavior of working on an object to extract components. Like Avi-Cakes, Nutri-An Cakes and the Nutri-Meals, Nutri-Berries are also excellent foods to promote dietary conversion.
All forms of Avi-Cakes may be fed for maintenance and Cockatiel Avi-Cakes also support breeding. Although these products are – cakes, – this does not imply that they are fattening. Parrot Avi- Cakes are relatively low in energy and their energy content is similar to that of pellets.
Nutri-Meals and Nutri-An cakes are newer Lafeber products. Nutri-Meals may be fed for maintenance and are available over-the-counter, while Nutri-An Cakes are prescription diets sold only to veterinarians. Nutri-An Cakes for Foraging and Weight Maintenance are a low energy food that can promote weight loss if fed as the sole diet. Nutri-An Cakes for Recovery and Nutritional Support are designed for patients that require higher energy and protein.
While most birds will consume Nutri-Berries and the other foraging foods, not all birds will eat them. Some birds are more likely to start eating them if they are crumbled and added to their daily food. In grain eaters, like cockatiels and parakeets, presenting crumbled Nutri-Berries on a flat surface encourages their natural feeding behavior. Often trying different sizes of Nutri-Berries or Avi-Cakes may be beneficial to get their interest.
On rare occasions, a bird might eat only one type of seed or grain from some of the foraging food such as the Nutri-Berries or the Avi-Cakes. If you have a bird that picks out and eats only a few of the seeds or grains, this will not provide a balanced daily diet. However, if they eat about 30% of the food or more, then the meal will remain balanced.
Conversely, some birds, mainly Amazons and Eclectus parrots, can overeat Nutri-Berries when offered free choice, often leading to weight gain (see Table 1). Recommended consumption of Classic/Tropical/Orchard Nutri-Berries based on body weight). Reducing the quantity provided helps to reduce weight along with reducing waste. Putting any of these foraging foods into foraging toys so that the bird eats their daily diet in this manner stimulates natural feeding behaviors and mental stimulation. It redirects their focus and may help with weight reduction.
These Lafeber foraging diets along with the pellets are all naturally preserved with a mixture of tocopherols and citric acid. All of diets contain balanced 3/6 poly unsaturated omega fatty acids(PUFAs).Balancing omega 3/6PUFAs have been shown to improve immune, cardiovascular and joint health in mammals and poultry. By balancing the PUFAs, there is a reduction in the proinflammatory mediators, which helps reduce inflammation in all of the organs. All of the grains that are used in making the pellets and the foraging foods are procured only in the United States & Canada and 100% of the fruits and vegetables are human grade and only procured in North and South America. All of the Lafeber foods are produced on Dr Lafeber’s great grandfather’s family farm. No other foods are produced at this mill site – only Lafeber products. Foods are routinely tested for a number of factors including aflatoxins.
Table 1. A summary of the current nutritional strategies available to pet birds.
| Pellets | Extruded Pellets | Nutri-Berries | Avi- Cakes | Seeds & Supplements & Table Food | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Nutritional Balance | Easy | Easy | Easy | Easy | Hard |
| Texture Appeal | Low | Low | High | High | High |
| Texture Variety | Low | Low | High | High | High |
| Shelf Life | High | High | High | High | Low |
| Freshness | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | High |
| Convenience | High | High | High | High | Low |
| Eye Appeal | Low | Low | High | High | High |
| Cost | Varies | Varies | High | High | Varies |
| Palatability | Low | Low | High | High | High |
| Nutritional Uniformity/Bite | High | High | Med | Med | Low |
| Nutritional Uniformity/Meal | High | High | High | High | Varies |
| Particle Size Variety | Low | Very Low | Med-High | Med-High | High |
| Degree of Gelatinized Starches | Low | High | Low | Very Low | Very Low |
| Quality of Droppings | Normal | Possible Loose | Normal | Normal | Normal |
| Boredom Factor | High | High | Low | Low | Low |
This table is a general summary of available diets. Exceptions exist. Harrison’s bird foods have some larger particle sizes in some of their extruded pellets (a good strategy) as compared to most other available extruded diets.
Conclusion
Most bird owners rely on a variety of nutritional strategies, offering a variety of foods that include formulated food, people food, and seeds. There is no one nutritional strategy that is appropriate for all companion birds. An important role of avian veterinarians is to work with owners to find the diet that meets the specific needs of each bird and works for that owner. Any nutritional strategy that incorporates a significant portion (> 50%) of pellets, extruded foods, Nutri-Berries, Nutri-An Cakes, Nutri-Meals, and/or Avi-Cakes is vastly superior to a seed-only diet. For optimal nutrition, it is best to use a name brand such as Lafeber Company, Harrison’s© Bird Food, ZuPreem® or other major brands for optimal nutrition. Fresh vegetables, particularly the orange ones along with the true berries (such as blueberries) and nuts (walnuts) may be added in small amounts as well. Healthy foods and nutritional strategies to meet their needs enhance the health and well-being of these wonderful companion birds.
References
Harrison GJ, McDonald D. Nutritional considerations. In: Harrison GJ, Lightfoot TL (eds). Clinical Avian Medicine. Palm Beach, FL: Spix Publishing; 2006: p. 108-140.
Roudybush TE. Nutrition. In: Altman RB, Clubb SL, Dorrestein GM, Quesenberry K (eds). Avian Medicine and Surgery. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 1997: p. 27-44.
Klasing KC. In: Harrison GJ, Lightfoot TL (eds). Comparative Avian Nutrition. New York, NY: CABI Publishing; 1998.
Orosz SE. Avian Nutrition Revisited: Harrison GJ, Lightfoot TL (eds). Clinical Perspectives. . Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet. 2005: p. 209-217.
