how much pasta/rice/chicken is ok?

[SunnyGirl]

I slowly started to feed my sun more vegetables (as she only wanted to eat fruit) and I also tried some pasta, rice and chicken. We had chicken yesterday and she got a small piece, at first she didn't know what to do with it, but after she saw me eating it, she tried it too, but afterwards she kept begging for more constantly... so my question is: how much pasta, rice and chicken is a sun conure allowed to eat? :smile005:

 

[Alisana]

Ensure the pasta is the wholemeal variety, and the rice is the full grain stuff. (Can't remember the proper name) - These will be healthier.

The chicken should be salt free/organic; free of hormones, etc. I wouldn't feed more than say, 20% of her base diet; while birds can eat meat, they can also become very fussy and may start refusing other foods. (Not common, but can happen)

I'll have a look around and see if I can find any studies on it.

[Edit] With regards to pasta/rice, if it's the wholemeal/grain variety, up to 40% of their diet should be OK.

 

[Alisana]

OK - so a bit of searching around; regretfully, couldn't see any proper scientific research of the effects of chicken though.

Concerns: beware of avian influenza, whilst most chickens diagnosed with avian flu are generally destroyed, be wary regardless.
Benefits of chicken are protein

Chicken should be boiled. Chicken that is cooked or fried has a chance of carrying risks for parrots, such as the use of certain oils in cooking, if burnt, the risk of carcinogens. Avoid giving store cooked chicken as their cooking process may use additives or other unknown substances on or in the meat. As said before, ensure the chicken is organic and free from additives and hormones.

Chicken and other meats should only be fed a maximum of once to twice per week. Too much meat can be hard on the kidneys.

Hope that helps.

 

[antoinette]

Great advise from Alisana

Found this link, pertaining Sun Conure's diets
Great info, very informative

 

[SunnyGirl]

thank you sooooo much

so now I need to buy new pasta and rice hahaha, my sun is just so lucky I love her this much
well the chicken was ok (got it from my grandads friend - a farmer) and had only smal amounts of salt and pepper (and we never fry it, I don't like it) and she got the inner part near the bone... well my mum wanted to give her the bone, but it was almost as big as the bird haha :11:

 

[DebsFlock]

I've heard some birds enjoy chicken bones. I'm so conditioned to avoid giving them to other pets that it makes me twitchy, but apparently it is quite OK for parrots. I'd worry less about the sourcing of the chicken, since it's an occasional thing not the dietary staple, but I'd be careful about the sodium level and make sure meat is quite thoroughly cooked. Here in the US, raw chicken practically has to be treated like toxic waste, the prevalence of salmonella contamination is so rampant. Hopefully you are luckier where you are! But if not, make sure it is well cooked to avoid passing on any bacteria. Especially next to the bone, it can be a bit less done than you think!

 

[Alisana]

I've heard some birds enjoy chicken bones. I'm so conditioned to avoid giving them to other pets that it makes me twitchy, but apparently it is quite OK for parrots. I'd worry less about the sourcing of the chicken, since it's an occasional thing not the dietary staple, but I'd be careful about the sodium level and make sure meat is quite thoroughly cooked. Here in the US, raw chicken practically has to be treated like toxic waste, the prevalence of salmonella contamination is so rampant. Hopefully you are luckier where you are! But if not, make sure it is well cooked to avoid passing on any bacteria. Especially next to the bone, it can be a bit less done than you think!

Apparently cockatoos eat them. I think the recommendation was to boil also, as deep frying/roasting, etc can make them splinter easier.

Be careful though if giving bones, particularly to such a small conure. Like dogs/cats, bones can get lodged and damage the insides of your companion, without you knowing.

 

[Alisana]

thank you sooooo much

so now I need to buy new pasta and rice hahaha, my sun is just so lucky I love her this much
well the chicken was ok (got it from my grandads friend - a farmer) and had only smal amounts of salt and pepper (and we never fry it, I don't like it) and she got the inner part near the bone... well my mum wanted to give her the bone, but it was almost as big as the bird haha :11:

We all spoil our fids Cuz they make us feel so loved. hehe

 

[lene1949]

I always feed cooked chicken bone (drumstick) to my birds... I think Max eats the lot... Papi still only have just a taste or just plays with it... I have chicken at least once a week...

 

[WharfRat]

it's a toss up here, they all LOVE rice, but they really go for chicken as well, hard to say which they like more. Here's one most don't talk about; steamed crab legs (I cook snow crab clusters) they absolutely love that stuff too! Then there's spaghetti, I watch that cause of the red meat in it.And yes I use whole grain pasta & rice. I think it's easier to say what they WON'T eat.......and right now I can't think of anything they won't go for if we're eating it.

 

[Catdancer76]

Antionette, I can't see the link you provided on Post # 4. Where am I missing it?

 

[Akraya]

I'm going to revive this post!
Just re chicken portion size, those of you who feed your fids chicken, how much do you feed them?
I give my Nimbus store chicken (I justified it by only giving her bits from like the middle of the breast)