question on giving nuts to a cockatiel

[lorri]

Just another question on giving all different verities of nuts to a cockatiel. What nuts can you give them please? I had a look on the and there is no info what type of nuts you can give.

 

[Spiritbird]

Except for peanuts, nuts are safe and nutritious for our birds. I pre crack for the shells like you may need to do also. Almonds are very good as they have a high amount of calcium in the nut.

 

[lorri]

Can I buy them at the supermarket and health foods shops already opened in a packet? or do I have to the nuts from a proper pet store like pets at home?

 

[mellykyitus]

buy them from a health food shop or supermarket. pet stores sometimes use lesser quality nuts, i always buy human grade foods for my babies just to be on the safe side xx

 

[Printer bird]

Just make sure they are unsalted etc. We get ours from the organic store nearby and they last forever because we chop them into little bits to give as rewards and to use in foraging. Charlie will do almost anything for an almond and it is what we use to reward good behavior to to make an experience fun (like going into his small vet cage - he hates it!). Our vet said about a half an almond to an almond or so per day was fine but no more. Fortunately we give such small bits that he rarely gets that amount so that should give you an idea of serving size (cockatiels are pretty close in size so likely the amount would be similar). He also likes pecans and cashews (any nut really!). No peanuts, though, as mentioned above.

 

[missylynn]

I've heard before that peanuts were alright, and so I have used them a few times as training rewards. Yikes!! I'll start using almonds instead now, but just wondering . . . what is wrong with peanuts? It's not dangerous is it? Do they just have a high fat content or something that makes them less healthy than other nut choices?

 

[mellykyitus]

Peanuts Parrots and Aflatoxin

found this link about peanuts. with monkey nuts a mould can grow in the shell and it kills birds.

 

[lorri]

Thanks guys that's an interesting note to take on. Health food shops it is then! Missylyne asked a question about peanuts why can't you give them to a teil? even though they are monkey nuts salted!