So much to learn

[azdesertrhino]

We've had Mac (B&G Macaw) for a bit over a year now. He (we assume "he" is male but have not had him tested). He is about 14 months old.

It is a constant learning process.

Yesterday he was on the table while I was having some cereal for breakfast. (Life cereal/skim milk). I left 2 pieces of cereal and probably 1/2 a teaspoon of skim milk in the bowl for him. He loved it.

I figured I'd better look in to it to see about dairy products. Apparently milk is a no go for him.

I did see something about soy milk. Is this safe for Mac?

While searching around I found that nuts are good for him BUT not peanuts. Something about a possible fungus in the shells. OUT go the peanuts.

Is there a "eat this, don't eat that" link for birds, specifically Macaws?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[JJones1719]

I would stay away from feeding Macaws any kind of Milk product. As far as peanuts, although they are not the best nut to feed your Macaw, You can feed them to your Macaw if the nut was radiated. You will see peanuts in nut mixes for Macaws, these nuts have been radiated to kill any fungus.
Walnuts, almonds and other nuts are perfect and less fat then the Peanut.
Your best to feed your Macaw fresh Veg, Fruit, Pellet mix, nut mix as a treat. There are plenty of Macw birdie breads too that are really good for them. You can find them online, you bake it yourself, cut in slices, freeze the remaining and give to your Macaw as treats
now and again.
Best of luck with your B&G. Joe

 

[Lesleybird]

Hi, If you want to give him milk get the milk like Lactaid that has the lactose (milk sugar) processed for people who are lactose intolerant. Regular milk will not harm your bird but some people and all parrots lack the enzyme needed to break down and digest the milk sugar called lactose. Lesley

 

[HRH Di]

Birds are naturally lactose intolerant (go figure) so give them diary products very sparingly. Cheese and yogurt are better to give than actual milk.

Parrots can eat a lot of different things, however, avocados and mushrooms can be toxic. Here's a link to safe foods as well as woods, foliage and houseplants. I hope this helps.

 

[darkling]

I found bags of extra large mixed nuts at the grocery store the last time I went in. They were like $2 a bag and Hannibal loves cracking those big shells with his beak. You might look for some of those.

 

[azdesertrhino]

Mac loves the larger nuts. Brazil nuts & such but they appear to be unavailable currently. In this area anyhow.

He busts the shell but doesn't eat much of the nut itself.

 

[HRH Di]

Try nutsonline.com. They have all kinds of organic, in the shell and raw nuts and seeds year round. Their products (at least the ones we've gotten) come in resealable 1 pound bags that make storage really easy.

They're the only place I can reliably find raw, in the shell pumpkin seeds for our sprout mix.

 

[triordan]

nuts in the shell are plentiful between thanksgiving and christmas, I stock up and freeze them..my macaw doesn't like the brazil nuts