Now I'm mad.

[Mango121913]

Is this true?!

Birds n Ways - Eclectus Diet - Eclectus Forum September 1997 Pet Birds, Pet Parrots, Exotic Birds
Down the list under forbidden, limited foods. Spinach contains oxalic acid which can interfere with the absorption of calcium AND crystallizes in the kidneys! CRAP! Hope its not too late since I've been feeding it to Mango all the time.
And further down it says beets, carrots, beans, berries and all the other "good stuff" can cause kidney stones and Iow bone density!
Now what's up with this! I quit reading this after I saw this wondering if by trying to help him have a safe and healthy life, I am just causing harm!
What the heak am i supposed to feed him without harming him??
Right now I am sooooo confused and angry.

 

[labell]

Take a deep breath. Anything in excess can be bad, I once had one begin to toe tap from too many blueberries! As soon as I cut back it righted itself.

I do however agree about the spinach there are so many other better choices when it comes to greens such as kale, dandelion, collard, chard, mustard greens, cilantro, parsley, watercress and arugula. Don't worry too much about what you have already given him but I would pick from these choices in the future.

There is a lot of speculation as to what the perfect diet for eclectus is. There are those that believe they should be classified closer to lories which is why I sometimes offer the nectar and always include bee pollen, and organic dried flowers to my chop mix. The sheer amount of food that they can pack away for their size tells me just how fast their metabolism is so quickly processed sugary fruits are always part of the daily fair. I think variety is the key.

 

[Kiwibird]

From what I understand, ekkies do have some special dietary considerations other parrots don't. But it's more of a long-term exposure thing, so as long as you right it now, Mango will be fine I may consult with the AV on a appropriate eclectus diet though so you're sure to feed Mango properly from here on out. I remember we briefly entertained the idea of getting an ekkie before we had Kiwi, and the special diet is something I remember being on the "con" list (for us).

 

[Mango121913]

I'll definitely not be feeding spinach anymore. As for the bone density issue, since he's almost full grown, is that reversible? Wonder if I caused a bone issue for the rest of his life.
After all the reading I've done BEFORE I got him, how I missed this I will never know!
I feel like I failed him, because he relies on me to feed him right, & keep him safe.

 

[Mango121913]

The diet was the 1st thing I (thought)made sure I understood! I knew I would have to make it fresh for him. I don't know. I thought I had it figured out.

 

[labell]

The problem with asking a vet even an avian vet is they still lump them into parrot status and say pellets. I am more prone to listen to folks like Laurella Desborough.

 

[Colorguarder08]

One thing I noticed is that it was printed/posted 17 years ago. As we know a lot of things have gone out of date since then so it might be a good idea to do some current research on what foods are good for your bird.

 

[Mango121913]

Iabell, I really appreciate your input. Really wanted a lori at one time, but the mess would have been too much. I will have to look at the bee pollen. Organic dried flowers? Where do you get those? I feed alot of various types of foods to him. Problem is most is what I shouldn't have been feeding him.

 

[labell]

I'll definitely not be feeding spinach anymore. As for the bone density issue, since he's almost full grown, is that reversible? Wonder if I caused a bone issue for the rest of his life.
After all the reading I've done BEFORE I got him, how I missed this I will never know!
I feel like I failed him, because he relies on me to feed him right, & keep him safe.

Please don't beat yourself up. Sometimes I feel like I have read every scrap of diet information out there when it comes to eclectus and so called experts still disagree and it can get confusing. I am certain that with the variety you have given Mango that he really hasn't consumed an excess of spinach. Now that you know there are better choices for greens just go with those. Being a vegetarian has forced me to learn more about what each fruit and veggie provides but believe me it is still more info than I can assimilate in a lifetime and can get quite confusing.

 

[Mango121913]

One thing I noticed is that it was printed/posted 17 years ago. As we know a lot of things have gone out of date since then so it might be a good idea to do some current research on what foods are good for your bird.

True, but I have found more Dr.s that tend to agree to the spinach and carrot, beet tops.

 

[labell]

I order dried flowers here www.starwest-botanicals.com

 

[Colorguarder08]

Well now you just know what to cut back on.

 

[Mango121913]

I'll definitely not be feeding spinach anymore. As for the bone density issue, since he's almost full grown, is that reversible? Wonder if I caused a bone issue for the rest of his life.
After all the reading I've done BEFORE I got him, how I missed this I will never know!
I feel like I failed him, because he relies on me to feed him right, & keep him safe.

Please don't beat yourself up. Sometimes I feel like I have read every scrap of diet information out there when it comes to eclectus and so called experts still disagree and it can get confusing. I am certain that with the variety you have given Mango that he really hasn't consumed an excess of spinach. Now that you know there are better choices for greens just go with those. Being a vegetarian has forced me to learn more about what each fruit and veggie provides but believe me it is still more info than I can assimilate in a lifetime and can get quite confusing.

I know. Just sucks that I took pride in making sure he would be the healthiest, strongest, handsomest Ekki on the block. Just like me.

 

[Colorguarder08]

I'll definitely not be feeding spinach anymore. As for the bone density issue, since he's almost full grown, is that reversible? Wonder if I caused a bone issue for the rest of his life.
After all the reading I've done BEFORE I got him, how I missed this I will never know!
I feel like I failed him, because he relies on me to feed him right, & keep him safe.

Please don't beat yourself up. Sometimes I feel like I have read every scrap of diet information out there when it comes to eclectus and so called experts still disagree and it can get confusing. I am certain that with the variety you have given Mango that he really hasn't consumed an excess of spinach. Now that you know there are better choices for greens just go with those. Being a vegetarian has forced me to learn more about what each fruit and veggie provides but believe me it is still more info than I can assimilate in a lifetime and can get quite confusing.

I know. Just sucks that I took pride in making sure he would be the healthiest, strongest, handsomest Ekki on the block. Just like me.

Well now if your an Ekki too then I am throughly impressed.

 

[Mango121913]

Well, we are in the same flock! LOL!

 

[Mango121913]

Since there is no perfect diet for the Ekkies. Maybe, everything we feed them isn't the right thing? After all they spend there life in the canopies of the forest. No one is for sure what they eat in the wild. For all we know, they may just eat certain leaves and bark, and live to be 100.

 

[Anansi]

Like Laura, I agree about the spinach. I've heard from a great many sources that spinach does have properties that tend to block their body's ability to absorb calcium. Carrots, however, are rich in beta carotene (the precursor to vitamin A) which is vital for eclectus parrots. (Same is true of pumpkin)

Again, like Laura said, (hey, the woman knows her eclectus! Haha!) variety is key. In the interests of sharing information, here is what I provide for Bixby and Maya: (5-7 types per feeding) carrots, asparagus, bell peppers (red, yellow, orange and green), jalapeno peppers, Jamaican peppers, chili peppers, squash (butternut, green and yellow),pumpkin, blueberries, pomegranates, snap peas, broccoli, cactus pears, starfruit, bananas, grapes, kale, turnips, radishes, brown rice, quinoa, cucumbers, endive, dandelion, chopped celery, red swiss chard, granny smith apples, papaya, African horned melon, corn, hominy, chocho beans and garbanzo beans, as well as Volkman's Fancy Soak and Simmer for the majority of his legumes and grains.

Twice a month, I'll give some hard-boiled egg (with the crushed shell for calcium). Slightly more frequently during a molt. And an assortment of unsalted nuts or even millet spray for their treats.

Disagreements abound when it comes to the ekky diet, but most agree that variety is very important.

 

[Mango121913]

Thank you all so much for sharing. I just wish I would've caught this before I got him. Hopefully there's no permanent damage I have done to him. If he passes before I do, I will surely think it was because I failed to do all my homework before I adopted him. My wife thinks that since he will only be 9 months on the 13th, he still has a long life to go and become stronger. Also says that I'm overreacting, which I tend to do. I understand her. I am still going to find out from the vet if they can do a bone density test AND a kidney exam to put my mind at ease. I have got alot of praying to do, call me crazy!
My Pomerainian has pancreatitus, he has given us quite a scare a few times. Let me tell ya, when he's in pain and crying, that's the worst feeling not being able to fix him, right away!
I just wanted to do everything right. I'll just have to convince myself that I made a mistake and he is fine.

 

[weco]

Actually, the problem with spinach is that its oxalic acid binds to the calcium in the spinach and any other calcium, being fed at the same time, and prevents the body's absorption of the calcium, other than ekkies and their specific dietary requirements, the same calcium binding problem will occur in other birds as will it with us humans.....while the levels of oxalic acid is usually pretty low in most plants, the levels in beet greens, chard and spinach is such that it interferes with the absorption of calcium in those plants and other sources eaten at the same time.....if you're a rhubarb fan, the level of oxalic acid in rhubarb leaves is such that it becomes poisonous, though the stalks are fine cooked...I'm not a fan of spinach salads, so any spinach eaten around here is always cooked and though I raised rabbits when I was a kid, we never dined together.....can't remember if it was spinach or iceberg lettuce...maybe both, but whenever I'd feed one of those, I'd have to clean cages.....

Yes, any calcium not absorbed can be added at some other feeding...how do you think hens replace calcium levels given up during egg laying.....

 

[Colorguarder08]

Actually, the problem with spinach is that its oxalic acid binds to the calcium in the spinach and any other calcium, being fed at the same time, and prevents the body's absorption of the calcium, other than ekkies and their specific dietary requirements, the same calcium binding problem will occur in other birds as will it with us humans.....while the levels of oxalic acid is usually pretty low in most plants, the levels in beet greens, chard and spinach is such that it interferes with the absorption of calcium in those plants and other sources eaten at the same time.....if you're a rhubarb fan, the level of oxalic acid in rhubarb leaves is such that it becomes poisonous, though the stalks are fine cooked...I'm not a fan of spinach salads, so any spinach eaten around here is always cooked and though I raised rabbits when I was a kid, we never dined together.....can't remember if it was spinach or iceberg lettuce...maybe both, but whenever I'd feed one of those, I'd have to clean cages.....

Yes, any calcium not absorbed can be added at some other feeding...how do you think hens replace calcium levels given up during egg laying.....

I know with rabbits spinach shouldnt be fed if it's over a year old. Atleast thats what all my research before I got Freckles told me and because I was told she was an adult I never fed it to her only she ended up getting to be over 30lbs and was MAYBE 5lbs when I got her. So I had to rehome her. But I'm sure once or even twice a week spinach would be fine for a bird.