How many almonds for a Galah?

[mypinklove]

I wasn't sure if I should post this in food, or species specific, so moderators please move it if it's in the wrong section.

Anyways simple question: I know RB2s should not have a diet high in fat due to their inclination to get fatty tumors. My birdy was clipped by his past owner and I'm letting his wings grow back in for exercise and fun, but until then he's not getting more exercise than running around and playing with me. His diet is currently fruity zupreem pellets for the first half of the day, almond pieces and slices for treats, bits of fruit (which I would give more of if he liked), and a mix of warmed up quinoa and veggies for dinner.

He seems to LOOOVE almonds more than any of the rest of the food he eats, which makes an awesome bonding and training treat. However is the fat content too high?

How many almonds should he be getting a day? Is it a big deal if he gets almond pieces for all his training and then a few for a bonding dessert at night as well, or is that damaging?

Thanks guys!
Mae and Charlie

 

[JerseyWendy]

Mae, are you talking about the almond slivers you can buy at the grocery stores? If Charlie responds so well to them, I'd always keep some handy. Now I have no clue how many of those slivers would even make an entire almonds, but I'd guess quite a few, no? A dozen of them maybe? Let's just assume a dozen or so make one almond, I think you could safely give Charlie 4 - 5 entire almonds a day (48-60 slivers). Just make him 'work' for them.

 

[mypinklove]

Mae, are you talking about the almond slivers you can buy at the grocery stores? If Charlie responds so well to them, I'd always keep some handy. Now I have no clue how many of those slivers would even make an entire almonds, but I'd guess quite a few, no? A dozen of them maybe? Let's just assume a dozen or so make one almond, I think you could safely give Charlie 4 - 5 entire almonds a day (48-60 slivers). Just make him 'work' for them.

Yes haha I believe they are labeled as "almond slices" and I have a little bag of them from Fry's. I think it's less than a dozen for a full almond as they are full slices, but if I assume there are at least six for an almond, that's still 30 slices... so I'll just count out 30-40 then and put each day's worth into a little baggie and crush them a bit for training. Then I know when the baggie is empty he can't have any more of them lol. Thanks so much! I'm harness training him now with the aviator harness so I definitely want to use his favorite treat for that.

 

[JerseyWendy]

SWEET progress!!! They most likely ARE called 'slices', LMAO. I must have been either thinking in German or of a horror movie for calling them 'slivers', HAHAHAHAH!!!!!

 

[mypinklove]

SWEET progress!!! They most likely ARE called 'slices', LMAO. I must have been either thinking in German or of a horror movie for calling them 'slivers', HAHAHAHAH!!!!!

Hahahaha!! Oh man, thank you for making me laugh today!

 

[Scott]

Almonds are one of the most popular treats with my flock, and I buy them shelled, whole, and "raw." Some parrots enjoy breaking the shells, but many of mine are lazy/spoiled and toss them after 30 seconds of pecking. To be fair, prying the shell is difficult for some species!

Most of mine have access to some seed about 3 days per week, so almonds are just a treat.

 

[mypinklove]

Almonds are one of the most popular treats with my flock, and I buy them shelled, whole, and "raw." Some parrots enjoy breaking the shells, but many of mine are lazy/spoiled and toss them after 30 seconds of pecking. To be fair, prying the shell is difficult for some species!

Most of mine have access to some seed about 3 days per week, so almonds are just a treat.

Good idea, I haven't seen if he enjoys cracking open shells yet. He looooves his almonds and if his cage is cracked and he spots his baggie of almond bits on the kitchen counter he will push it open and run across the room and then dance in the kitchen until I give him some LOL.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Have you tried offering Charlie Walnuts instead?

 

[mypinklove]

No I have not. Why?


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[plumsmum2005]

Think they are less fatty than almonds and good for them too. Unfortunately I can't get Plum interested in these but the baby RB2 I look after absolutely loves them.

This makes interesting reading also http://galah.galahs.com.au/content/php/article008.php