Is this a good macaw diet???

[ 2008/05/10 04:33 | by admin ]
I am getting a greenwing and I was planning on feeding him a high quality nut mix with zupreem all natural pellets and fruits and veggies with some beak appetit for a night night meal on some days, with some quinoa and 1 new random birdie recipe treat a week. Does this sound good??? I want him to have a great variety of foods.
answers
Congratulations on getting greenwing, the largest pet macaw species.  However your proposed diet may seem ok in the short run but long term its not enough.  Due to the large amount of feather growth and thickness of the plumage, macaws are one of the few birds which actually  need a high fat content in their diet.  
I have handreared macaws, and found that a the basic diet should be made up of 60% fruit and veg, like, sweetcorn, brocoli, apple, carrot, soaked and sprouted pulses like beans, and peas, spinach, melon, pomegranate, banana, guava, papaya, fresh chilli peppers which they adore.  Then 40% seed mix.  I made up my own, and suffered no problems, and due to the content, theres few if any seed husk wastes.
I used sunflower hearts, pumpkin seeds, banana chips, dried chillis, and also a small pellet supplement, which you can either use designed for parrots, or in a small amount a low fat wheat based complete dog food, which carries essential vitamins and minerals and the birds love it.
As treats, corn on the cob, and half pomegranates are fun, and twice a week, try speading a thin layer of honey on a slice of wholemeal brown toast and giving him a square.  Cheddar cheese in small cubes once a week add calcium and protein.  Do not under any circumstances give them cooked or raw meat bones. Like dogs they can crack the bones and get splinters stuck in their throat. For entertainment, try gathering a few pine cones for him or even as an occassional treat, try getting a bag of pine nuts which they adore.
answers
I prefer Harrison's pellets, but that's a personal preference.  This sounds like a well balanced diet for your new bird.  Just be sure to avoid caffeine, foods high in salt and sugar and other than that he can eat basically whatever you eat (as an occasional treat).  Good luck with your bird!!!
answers
Sounds nice. A little bit on the pellet extreme...but that is ok. But I would also add some cooked meat in to that diet. Like cooked chicken and cooked beef ribs or steak bones. They love to peel the meat off the bones....if keeps them busy for a hour or so.  

Good luck with your macaw....good choice! I have 6 of them. I be happy to share info with you.....
answers
this isn't really an answer although that is a great diet for a macaw. But aren't Hyacinth Macaws the largest of the macaws?
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