Avian Nutrition
By Kent S. Littlehale DVM

Diet is probably the most controversial topic in regards to bird care and management; it is probably impossible to get two experienced bird people to agree 100% on the proper diet. This is due to the lack of controlled nutritional studies, very few studies have been done and then only on a couple of species such as the cockatiel. Due to the variety of species and the differences in their native habitat, it is impossible to make generalities as to the proper nutrition based on the information that is currently available.

At this time it is recognized that a seed-based diet is inadequate for most birds. The long term feeding of seeds alone will result in a bird suffering from chronic malnutrition, which will predispose it to a variety of illnesses and ultimately dramatically shorten its lifespan. Seed is readily available and most pet stores or feed suppliers will not take the time to educate the inexperienced bird owner on the proper feeding of their bird; thus, due to habit and out of convenience, most birds are fed seeds.

Seeds are not the natural diet for most birds. The common seed mixtures tend to contain an excessive amount of fat, (predisposing the birds to obesity), inadequate protein levels, inadequate vitamins, and an improper balance of calcium and phosphorus. If a bird as been raised on a seed- based diet it is very difficult to change their diet; birds are very much creatures of habit and it is difficult to get them to accept new foods.

In recent years a number of formulated or pelleted diets have become available. These diets somewhat resemble the dry cat food or dog foods that have been available for years. (An out of date recommendation was to feed birds some dry cat food.) These newer products have been formulated in an attempt to offer a complete and balanced diet that will correct some of the problems seen with the seed-based diets. As to what is the best product is very controversial, with breeders and avian veterinarians having a variety of opinions. In most cases the opinions expressed are anecdotal, with little solid evidence to support them. The most important factor is probably the birds acceptance of the product, and this must be tested by trial and error. I personally feel that any of the formulated products from the major national producers are superior to a seed-based diet.

Most avian veterinarians recommend feeding a variety of fresh foods; this is commonly referred to as a table food diet since the source is most commonly the owner's own plate or kitchen. A variety of foods is probably mentally healthy for our pet birds as well as nutritionally valid in offering a broad spectrum of nutrients. Most birds find the offering of fresh food a chance to satisfy their natural curiosity, and since most pet birds are social creatures they are interested in the foods that their owners are eating. Offering the bird a food item at dinner time is often one of the best means of interacting with the bird as well as insuring their nutritional health. Most foods that are considered healthy and nutritious for humans can safely be offered to our pet birds, (everything in moderation). Efforts should be made to include items from the different food groups.

• Complex carbohydrates, (starches such as rice, potatoes, pasta, vegetables, fruit, and various beans) should make up the majority of the diet.
• Protein sources such as mature legumes, (various beans, tofu, etc.) should make up about 25% of the diet. Other protein sources such as lean beef, chicken, fish and eggs may also be used in small amounts.
• Fat should be kept to a minimum. If the bird is eating some seeds or grains they are probably consuming plenty. The exceptions are highly stressed birds such as breeding pairs or young chicks that may need the extra calories.
• Calcium and mineral sources. If vegetables are eaten adequately this need is probably being met; however, supplementation is easily accomplished with items such as a mineral block, cuttlebone, and oyster shell. A small amount of low-fat dairy products may also be a good source of calcium and other minerals; items such as yogurt, cottage cheese, low fat hard cheeses.
• Vitamin needs may be met if an adequate variety of fresh food is given. Vitamin supplements must be used with caution if the pelleted bird diets are used; most pellets are already vitamin enriched and additional supplementation may lead to toxicity. Vitamins should not be added to the drinking water since they are not stable in water, they will rapidly break down add may promote bacterial growth in the water, and may flavor the water such that the bird drinks inadequately. If a bird is on a diet which is primarily seed, then vitamin supplements should be used. Be aware that in vitamin-enriched seed rnixtures, the vitamins are sprayed onto the outer seed surface, and since the birds hull the seeds, they do not ingest a significant amount of the vitamins.

• My current recommendation for most birds is that they should be fed a diet that is 40-50% table food, (or fresh food), 40-50% pelleted food, with no more than 20% of the total intake being seed-based. I feel that the pelleted foods should not comprise 100% of the diet, since we are still uncertain as to the complete nutritional needs of most of our bird species, and because most birds benefit mentally from the stimulation a varied diet can offer.

Changing a seed-eating bird over to these new diets can be difficult, yet can be accomplished if you are more stubborn than the bird. one successful technique is to limit the access to seeds for a limited time in the morning and night, while offering pellets in a separate container all the time. Initially the seeds are in the cage for 30 minutes morning and night, which is enough time for the birds to consume their basic caloric needs. After several weeks, the time is cut down to 20 minutes morning and night, at this point the birds will start to eat the pellets to some degree since they have gotten used to them being present and will be hungry enough during the day to try an alternate food source. After another couple of weeks the seeds should be cut down to only 10 minutes morning and night, and the birds should be eating the pellets readily. You continue this gradual weaning off of seed until the bird is eating the seed only as an occasional treat. Fresh food, vegetables and fruit can be introduced at the same time, yet they should not be left in the cage for more than a couple of hours due to spoilage which will lead to excessive bacterial growth and other problems. Hand feeding the bird fresh food during meal times often works since many birds are naturally interested in the food that their human companions eat.

COMMON NUTRITION-RELATED PROBLEMS.

Vitamin A deficiency is frequently seen in association with seed-based diets. This is detected by clinical signs such as blunting of the oral papilla, lesions on the margins of the eyelids, abscesses in the mouth, upper respiratory infections, and conjunctivitis . Treatment is correction of the diet which may be accomplished with dark green leafy, vegetables or broccoli, which is rich in vitamin A.

Vitamin K deficiency may present with a bird that has a predisposition to bleed excessively, (from a minor injury such as a broken nail, etc.) Vitamin K is a precursor to one of the clotting factors in blood. Injectable forms of Vitamin K allow for acute treatment of this disorder. Vitamin K is also abundant in most dark green vegetables; broccoli or kelp are particularly good sources.

Hypocalcemia, or a lack of calcium, is associated with a variety of problems including seizures in some susceptible species such as African Greys, egg binding, soft shelled eggs and other obstetrical problems in all birds, and a predisposition to fractured bones. Seed-based diets are notoriously deficient in calcium, and supplementation is essential to prevent these problems. The pelleted diets have largely corrected this problem.

Obesity is a common problem; most commonly associated with the seed-based diets which are too high in fat. Some species such as parakeets, cockatiels, amazons and some cockatoos are particularly predisposed to obesity. Liver disease and fatty tumors are also associated with the high fat diets. Limiting access to seed and improving the activity level of the bird is the most effective prevention and treatment.