Macaws and cheese?

[CaspianDanes]

New to the forums, very excited to get started.

I'm looking for a bit of advice about our new Milligold Macaw, Barbosa. He's a 3 yr old rescue, who has bonded to me very well and we have a great relationship of respect and love.

My question is, in searching out new foods for him to try, I have found that his very favourite treat is chesse. Any type will do. When offered some of my sandwich, he purposefully picks out the provolone. He loves mac and cheese, cream cheese, cheese cubes, etc., etc., etc.

Is this acceptable food for him? I've seen others who feed mac and cheese, but I worry about constipaion. How much is too much? I want to use some with his training, as he'll do anything for some cheddar, but does anyone have an idea of how much to give? Not to give?

He's on a Zupreme pelleted diet, fresh veg, fruit, nuts (including native macaw food, palm nuts), and people food.

 

[_Cass_]

First of all...:jumping40 WELCOMEE!!!:jumping40

We have an awesome forum here!!

Now, you can give him cheese, but in moderation and small doses. Cheese is very high in calcium, and protien. But dont give them alot too often as it can cause indigestion and give them an upset tummy. I wouldn't use it for training though, instead I would use millet, or some sunflower seeds; maybe even a type of fruit or veggie he likes.

You sound like your taking care of him very well Keep up on the good work!!!

P.S: We loovvee pics of the fids!!!

 

[willist]

I have 2 Macaws and an African Grey, they all love cheese. They don't get tons of it but if I make a sandwich with cheese they all get a taste. I think in moderation cheese is not a problem. What you should try is cooked pasta, birds love pasta. Give your bird a whole unbroken piece of spaghetti, its really cool watching my birds eat spaghetti.

 

[Bobby34231]

Hi and welcome to the forum, as Cass says cheese in small amounts is exceptable, however parrots are lactose intolerant and cannot process dairy products well, enjoy your stay great folks with great info to share

 

[greycloud]

Welcome to the forum! Birds lack the ability to digest cheeses with lactose in them. Some cheeses do not have lastose. I spoke with an avain behaviorist friend a while back and she had a trainer friend who used cheese as training treats. 3 f her birds ended up vomiting and had crop impaction. 1 died. Plase read thru the folowing link.
20 Things You Must Know About Nutrition=

 

[HRH Di]

Welcome to the forum! Good info above so I don't have anything to add. But of course, like people, they love the things that are at least a little "off limits".

 

[wildheart]

Welcome to the forum!

20 Things You Must Know About Nutrition=

Thanks for the link to the website, it is really very informative!

 

[Alwese]

I am constantly trying new and different things for my 3 macaws to eat. I have heard they are lactose intolerant, but my Scarlet, Clifford really loves vanilla and strawberry ice cream. He really doesn't eat all that much and some of the ice cream is from McDonalds that really contains very little milk product. Watch them tear apart BBQ rib and fried chicken bones. They like reeling in spaghetti too!