Peanuts & Nuts in general

[azdesertrhino]

We had to run out to the "Feed Store" today (Petsmart) for some supplemental food for Mac.

We mainly feed him sweet potatoes, fresh veggies and ice cubes but he does get some supplemental stuff when we have to go out for part of the day so he has some munchies in his cage.

We purchased a Bag of Browns Tropical Carnival Macaw Big Bites and some Zupreem Fruit something or other.

On opening the Browns Bag we found that it contained un-shelled peanuts and also some hazelnuts.

I know there is an issue with peanuts and bird sickness and have picked all the peanuts out of the food for Mac.

If there is an issue with peanuts and birds, why would they use them in parrot food. (May be a rhetorical question - - cheap filler)

Also, we purchase nuts from nutsonline. Brazil nuts and almonds in the shell, raw.

Are there issues with these types of nuts. They seem to be high quality.

Thanks for the help in advance!! The learning curve continues!

 

[MaraWentz]

To answer the first question: They are safe to a degree and amount. Shelled nuts can be toxic as they are prone to mold which is big no no for birds and often fatal. That is a major reason that peanuts are frowned on. As long as you know they are mold free (aka fresh and not sitting on yourself for a month or so) them you should be fine. Also a lot birds don't need a lot of nuts, except Macaws of course, but then again, they have their limits too. Too many peanuts are not good as they cause obesity and liver issues, so just feed according to your birds diet.

The Brazilian nuts are okay and I'm pretty sure that RAW almonds are safe too.

Thanks for asking rather than just feeding what ever came in the bag of food. Companies can and will sell you anything.

 

[henpecked]

The fungus growing on peanut shells is the issue,fresh they're OK,but you don't really know how old they are, who can you trust. If your fid is flighted and active then nuts are less of an issue ,or a active breeder. Fat, where ever it comes from is stored in your birds liver and inhibits it's functions, active birds burn it up and inactive birds store it. Too much of anything is bad and variety is best. I don't trust most feeds that are on the shelf and always check the date. Hope that might have helped answer your questions.

 

[azdesertrhino]

Thanks for the input, it is much appreciated!!

Unfortunately, as I get older, I have become more cynical regarding products, business and folks that will sell anything to make a buck.

(Legal stuff - - I am not saying Browns is doing that)

After bringing Mac home to live with us and going through the weaning process , we began the learning curve of safe, unsafe, good, bad, healthy, unhealthy.

The more we learned, the more disenfranchised and angry we found ourselves.

Large AVIAN companies, touting bird safe toys and products, selling things that we found were deemed unsafe by the truly concerned guardians of our feathered companions.

Sorry, I am on my soap box, but there are unscrupulous purveyors of products in the marketplace that have no concerns at all regarding the health of our FID's!!

I tend to question everything regarding what we give to Mac anymore, which caused me to start this thread.

Some stuff I found regarding toys that were posted in previous threads.

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/19072-unsafe-toy-components.html


http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/15987-unsafe-disappointing-bird-toys.html

OK, no more for this evening!! I apologize for the rant but I am rather protective of MAC!!

 

[henpecked]

No ,no , that's OK . i find the same to be true. Kind of cynical in my older age.

 

[sbrown2015]

I agree with you azder.. about feeding birds peanuts. I never take a chance with my birds. I also feed food that is not pre-packaged. I just prefer it this way.

 

[WharfRat]

I almost always buy fresh, organic for all my birds, fruits & nuts, it costs more but oh well. Don't get me started on all the homemade muffins etc they get.......

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I never feed my galah peanuts, they aren't a actual nut and full of fat. Walnuts, almonds, and pine nuts are so much better

 

[Alisana]

Question - if you kept your nuts in the freezer, would that prevent the mold issue?

Where I am currently, it's not so much of a concern. Where I lived about 1 year and a half ago, it was a MAJOR issue even with human food. We had 100% humidity almost every day. Just wondering what I would do if I moved further up north, and if freezing would work. (We do this for our bread and thaw out whatever is needed/toast as we eat it)

 

[antoinette]

Nuts good for birds
Cashew Plain
Almonds
Macadamias plain
Hazel
Brazil
Raw peanuts
Pecan
Pine Nuts
It is safe to keep in the freezer, make sure the container is airtight.

 

[azdesertrhino]

Thanks to all that have posted.

The more we read, the more intense the learning curve!!

I think it was easier for us bringing up out daughter!!

 

[friedsoup]

I only offer roasted in the shell no salt now he won't even accept a unroasted peanut no flavor hah and they are better for me too.