| 1. If you want your bird to live a long life | | | | |
| it is important to feed it in a nutritionally | | | | 6. Feeding your bird twice a day is a good |
| sound way. Birds often die too young because | | | | idea. Your bird will become hungry between |
| they are malnourished or they pick up a | | | | feedings and this practice produces a more |
| disease because they were not being fed | | | | active bird. With a healthy appetite the bird |
| correctly. | | | | is more likely to try new foods. You will |
| | | | also be able to keep a closer watch on how |
| 2. Birds who are part of the parrot family | | | | much your bird is eating. (If your bird is |
| should be fed a variety of foods. Seeds are | | | | sick,laying eggs, caring for young, or |
| used by most as the only part of the | | | | nesting they should always have food |
| bird�s diet and this is a mistake. Seeds | | | | available.) When food consumption drops, a |
| have too much fat, not enough protein and | | | | bird is usually not feeling well. |
| almost no vitamins. Seeds should not make up | | | | |
| more than 50 percent of your bird�s | | | | 7. If your bird is having a hard time getting |
| diet. | | | | used to the new diet, try warming the food or |
| | | | cooking the vegetables. It will take a little |
| 3. Try healthy table foods like items that | | | | time to discover what works for your bird. |
| contain whole grains and pretzels, pasta and | | | | Offer seeds only at meal time and along with |
| whole wheat bread. Many birds can be | | | | other foods until you see that your bird is |
| persuaded, given time and encouragement, to | | | | eating enough to stay healthy. Birds often do |
| eat dairy and poultry products. Try serving | | | | better with new diets when they are fed |
| your bird low-fat cheese, yogurt and chicken. | | | | outside the cage. |
| Avoid any food that is high in fat and stay | | | | |
| away from avocados, they are toxic tobirds! | | | | 8. Water is the final key to your bird�s |
| | | | nutritional success. The water must be fresh |
| 4. Beans and legumes as well as fruits and | | | | and all bowls should be thoroughly cleaned |
| vegetables are good sources of nutrition for | | | | each day with hot water and soap. Disinfect |
| the pet bird. It may take quite awhile to get | | | | these bowls with bleach every week. Be sure |
| your fine-feathered friend to except these | | | | all the bleach is totally rinsed away from |
| changes, (up to a year) but it will be the | | | | the bowls. Adding a multivitamin to the |
| best thing for your bird. | | | | bird�s water daily is a good idea until |
| | | | you know the bird is getting enough vitamins |
| 5. When you get ready to make these changes | | | | from the fruit and vegetables. Birds are |
| do it slowly. Offer the fresh foods twice a | | | | delightful pets and feeding them properly |
| day for about an hour at each feeding. | | | | allows them to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and |
| Don�t leave the fresh food in the cage | | | | this practice can extend their life |
| longer than that. It becomes unappealing and | | | | expectancy. |
| can develop bacteria. | | | | |