Dried fruits from the store?

[guesswhokatysue]

As I have watched Mave eat, I have noticed the seeds he likes and doesn't like,same with his pellets...but here's a question. In his seed mix there is some dried fruit (smells citrusy) and he seems to love that. Naturally there isn't a whole lot in his bag. Grr...anyway I was wondering if I can buy dried fruit from the store for him. (fresh obviously doesn't do it yet..I am hoping I can get him to get a taste for something and then try fresh). Is there something I should be careful about when buying it? Is it an idea I should scrap? Any thoughts or experiences would be awesome! You are all so helpful.

 

[RescueMe]

Dried fruit is fine for birds, but it must be unsulphered and unsweetened. Its not super easy to find, a whole foods store would be the best. I have found figs and mangos as well as prunes and raisins. If you can find them go for it!

 

[antoinette]

Dried fruit is fine BUT.....

When purchasing dried fruit and nuts PLEASE ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
BUT be weary, not all suppliers are honest and some of the preservatives are not printed on the labels.

All dried fruit and nuts are preserved with Sulphurdioxide.

I was in the dried fruit and nut business for 14 years (still am part time )
Many pets shops want some fruit mixes etc from me BUT with no label stating what preservatives are used.
I therefore do not supply any pet shops knowing they are being dishonest and know how bad it is for a birds health.

 

[Rio Mom]

You can get dried fruit at mysafebirdstore.com. Also the bountiful harvest has a variety of fruit along with a ton of other ingredients.

 

[DebsFlock]

Not ALL dried fruits are preserved with sulfur dioxide. You can find them unsulfered but not easily. It doesn't look nearly as "nice". You can also find freeze-dried whole fruits and veggies sometimes, such as the "Just..." series. I'm not sure sulfur dioxide is all that bad, really, but I try to avoid it and added sugar. You can also get a dehydrator and DIY.

IMO, what's more important to consider is the portion size. You'll often find a whole fruit concentrated down into a very small nugget. Nutritionally, it's still a whole piece of fruit. I keep dried fruits to a very small part of the mixed dry diet (pellets, pasta, seeds, nuts, dried fruit, etc.) I feed. Even if there is no added sugar, a nugget of dried fruit represents a lot of natural sugar. So in the tiny portion size that's appropriate, the additives are probably not as big a deal as they would be if it were a significant part of the diet. MHO.

 

[aliray]

some of the health food stores sell unsulfered dried fruit but you need to read the lables. where I live you can buy in bulk but they sell both types. Alison and sweetie pie

 

[kentstar]

Maybe you could buy a dehydrator and dry them yourself? My hubby and I have one and dry fruits all the time. Just a thought. Then you would know exactly what was in them!

 

[antoinette]

Maybe you could buy a dehydrator and dry them yourself? My hubby and I have one and dry fruits all the time. Just a thought. Then you would know exactly what was in them!

Great idea !!!!!