Feathered Fare: A Nutritionally Rich Diet Plan for African Grey Parrots

A nutritionally rich diet plan for African Grey Parrots is necessary to keep the parrots safe and healthy. A diet that ensures the optimal health and well-being should be provided to them. A comprehensive guide to their nutritional needs is as follow:

Diet Plan for African Grey Parrots

The dietary requirements for these parrots are the following:

Calcium supplements such as eggshells and cuttlebone are the important components of their diet.

Regular diet of these parrots must contain high quality pallets that make up 50 to 60 % of their diet.

Their diet should also contain fresh fruits that make 20 to 30 % of their diet.

Leafy greens are one of the most beneficial parts of the diet that makes up 10 to 20 % of the diet.

Nuts and Seeds must make 5 to 10 % of their diet.

Essential Nutrients

The essential nutrients that their diet must contain are the following.

• Their diet contains 15 to 20 % of Protein in their diet.
• Their diet contains 10 to 15 % of Fats in their diet.
• Carbohydrates are the most highly concentrated component in their diet and make about 40 to 50 % of the diet.
• Their diet contains 5 to 10 % of fibers in their diet.
• Some vitamins are also essential in their diet. These vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, Vitamin K and vitamin B complex.
• Some minerals like Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Potassium and Zinc.

Recommended Foods

1. Pellets:

• Roudybush
• ZuPreem
• Harrison’s birds foods

2. Fruits:

They include:

•  Apples.
•  Bananas.
•  Papayas.
•  Mangoes.
• Berries such as blueberry or strawberries.

3. Leafy greens:

• It contains Kale.
• Spinach is a beneficial leafy green for them.
• Collard green and Mustard green are also essential leafy greens for them.
• Broccoli can also be used as leafy greens for the parrots.

4. Nuts and Seeds:

• Almonds are the nuts that are the most favorite of these parrots.
• Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and Safflower seeds are also liked by these parrots.
• Millets are also beneficial in their diet.

Food To Be Avoided

The foods that are avoided in the daily diet plan for African Grey Parrots

Avocado

Avocado is a fruit that contains a toxic oil-soluble compound Persin which is found in its skin, leaves and pit which can cause respiratory distress, Congestive heart failure, Gastrointestinal problems and may result in the death of the parrots. Avocado also contains Polyphenolic compounds that can cause Oxidative stress, Inflammation and Organ damage in the parrots.

Onions and Garlics

Onions and garlic are toxic for these parrots because onions contain a toxic compound known as N-Propyl disulfate and garlic also contains a toxic compound which is known as Allicin. These toxic compounds can damage the red blood cells (hemolysis) in the parrots. It can also cause anemia, respiratory distress, gastrointestinal problems and kidney and liver damage. So, it is better to avoid onion and garlic for the parrots.

Chocolate

Chocolate is harmful for the grey parrots as it contains toxic compounds which are Theobromine and Caffeinates. Both compounds can increase the heart beating rate and increase the blood pressure. It can also cause issues like Hyperactivity, Seizures, Respiratory distress, coma and can eventually cause the death of the bird. So, keep chocolate out of their reach and don’t feed chocolate and chocolate containing products.

Caffeine

Caffeine is toxic to the grey parrots because it stimulates their nervous system by causing hyperactivity. Caffeine can also increase the heart beating rate and also increase the blood pressure in the birds. Moreover, it dehydrates and disrupts the electrolyte balance in the bird’s body. Its toxicity can also cause restlessness and cardiac arrest in the birds. So, avoid consuming caffeine near the parrot.

High Sodium Foods

The food with high concentration of the sodium is harmful and toxic for the grey parrots because excessive sodium can lead to electrolyte imbalance in the parrots. High sodium foods can damage their kidney which causes fluid retention and edema. It can also increase the blood pressure of the birds.it can also lead to cardiovascular problems in the birds. The high sodium food that we need not to give to the grey parrots are Processed meat, Canned goods, Frozen meals, Snack foods, Table salt, soy sauce, Processed cheeses. The safe sodium level for the African grey parrots is 0.1 to 0.3% of the daily diet of the birds.

Milk and Dairy Products

Milk and dairy products are harmful to the African greys because they can reduce the lactase enzymes in these parrots. Moreover, milk and dairy products have high concentrations of calcium and phosphorus which can lead to kidney damage, soft tissue calcification and gout. The dairy products that should not be given to the African grey parrots are milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, ice-cream and whey.

Nutritional Disorders

The nutritional disorders that can take place in these birds are the following:

Vitamin A Deficiency

This is a nutritional disorder which is caused by the inadequate diet most commonly. It can also be caused due to the lack of UVB light exposure. Its symptoms are poor feather condition, dry skin, swollen eyes, and discharge or tearing.

Calcium Deficiency

This is hypocalcemia also a nutritional disorder which is due to the lack of the calcium supplements in their diet and also caused by the lack of vitamin D3 in their diet. It is also caused by the excessive intake of phosphorus. Its symptoms include bone weakness, fractures, feather plucking and muscle weakness.

Nutritional Disorder Management

The treatments for the nutritional disorders in these birds are as following:

Vitamin A Deficiency

This problem can be solved by adding vitamin A supplements in the diet. It can also be treated by adding beta carotene supplements.

Calcium Deficiency

This disorder can be treated by adding calcium supplements in their diet. This can also be solved by adding vitamin D3 supplements and the Calcium fortified pellets. This can be solved by providing a calcium supplement block to the birds.

Other nutritional disorders can be solved by dietary changes, supplement nutrition and medications.

Conclusion

Provision of a safe and healthy environment to them makes these parrots healthy and disease free. Precaution is better than cure. A healthy and smart bird keep the other birds and pets keeper happy.  Pets lovers have to make diet plan for African Grey Parrots.