Are Onions Safe?

[HRH Di]

Okay, every food list I've seen lists onions as dangerous for parrots. However, I have seen a couple conflicting opitions...specifically the breeder where we got our red-front. She lists fresh onions as safe.

Now, I completely trust this woman. She has over 50 healthy, happy birds in her flock, which she willing lets us tour.

We've been very careful with our birds and kept them away from onions, but I was wondering if we were being overly cautious.

 

[Riley's mom]

I think that is one of the items that can cause contravecy. I don't give my birds fresh onion, but they do eat the cooked onions in the spaghetti sauce, pizza, chili, etc. Sorry I'm not much help.

 

[_Cass_]

Yes, a very controversial topic, though in my opinion I don't think onions are safe enough for me to risk it. I haven't done very much research on onions, although I know onions are related to Garlic. Garlic contains allicin which can cause Heinz body hemolytic anemia in birds, they also do not contain any nutrients vital for a birds health. As I said before, I wouldn't risk it. But thats my own opinion. Hope I helped a little!

http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-diet-and-health/bird-nutrition/birds-onions-and-garlic.aspx

-Cass

 

[Spiritbird]

Especially fresh onions are not safe for birds, dogs or cats. Better safe than sorry. A bird with a tummy ache is a grumpy bird.

 

[HRH Di]

Thanks, everyone. This is what I thought so we've been practicing the "not worth the risk" mind set.

I've also heard the garlic thing, but our breeder makes "parrot spice" that she puts on all of her birds' food. It's a mixture of about 20 different spices and "powders" like carrot and beet, however it also contains garlic powder. Again, we trust her implicitly and since Jade is used to it and obviously the miniscule amount of garlic hasn't harmed her or any of the other birds - but that's the only garlic she gets. My Max, however, doesn't like it, so his food is "unspiced".

 

[antoinette]

Ten most common poisonous foods for birds

Browsed the net, came across a very informative link explaining just how dangerous
the foods listed below are :

Chocolate - Apple seed - Avocado - Onions - Alcohol - Mushrooms Tomato leaves - Salt - Dried beans - Caffeine


Ten Toxic Foods for Bird Owners to Avoid

Great day

 

[westwood]

I figure it like this .
the wild Birds dont eat them raw or in the compost so i wont feed my birds onion

also the deer ate everything around my onion bed this yr .
Maybe i should quit making French onion soup

Ive heard both answers to this question many many times yes and no .
I like the if you dont think its safe DONT do it answer the best .
Tammy