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