CharlieQuite naturally, a varied diet is important. It’s essential for your cockatiel health. Pellets and seeds are basic. Fruits and vegetables are also necessary. But which ones? They are to be safe. The treats your bird likes are good. So, can cockatiels eat strawberries? The answer is positive. However, how often should you give them the fruits? How much shall they get? Are there any precautionary measures? Let’s check.
What Can Cockatiels Eat?
Totally, an adult cockatiel gets about 15 grams of various food every day. What is the preferable diet? According to the UC Davis University research, it is to be high-energy. For example, in wild the parrots eat a lot of seeds, together with plants, crops, and insects.
So, seeds and pellets are the best food for cockatiels. It’s a staple in the birds’ diet. If you select a pellet-based diet, these foods can make up to 60-80% of all daily meals. What if you select a natural diet? What it consists of?
Cockatiel Food List
| Foods | Percentage in the Diet, % |
|---|---|
| Seed mix |
25 |
| Pellets |
25 |
| Vegetables, fruits and greens |
25 |
| Beans, rice, pasta |
15 |
| Eggs, meat, cheese, cereal |
10 |
Mixed diet is more:
- Varied.
- Rich in choices.
- Time-consuming.
Your cherished cockatiels have wider opportunities to pick their favorite food. But you will need a lot of time to serve it. Vegetables and fruits are to be fresh. When to remove them? You are to do it not later than in 2-3 hours.
Therefore, pellets are quite good cockatiels food. They are highly nutritious. Actually, it’s a mix of multiple concentrated nutrients. How many elements can be available? Up to 40 different nutrients are usually included. The protein content is about 12-14%. The fat content is 4-5%. So, it’s a great option for busy pet owners. If you spend 10-11 hours a day in the office, you’ll like it.
What Do Cockatiels Eat for Treats?
Do your birds need treats? Of course, they do. What for? Quite naturally, training would be more efficient with them. Variety of foods is essential. Fresh vegetables and fruits are necessary, as well. The birds are to get the food they like and enjoy.
What can you cook at home for your lovely birds? The list includes:
- protein snacks;
- carbs;
- fresh fruits;
- lightly cooked vegetables.
The favorite treats for cockatiels may include hard-boiled eggs. For example, Yo-Yo likes them. Cooked and shredded meat is among the cockatiel favorite foods. What are the amounts? They are to be small. Yogurt, cottage cheese or peanuts are acceptable. Once a week is a good frequency for proteins. You can serve the cockatiels a kind of bread and pasta. Nigel adores pasta!
As to fruits and vegetables, cockatiels can get them 2-3 times a week. That’s enough. So, you can use cockatiel treats for training. Praise the birds for good behavior. Give them the treat or place it to the cage. It’s possible also to hide the treats among the toys or puzzles. So, you can teach the cockatiels to talk or whistle.
Can Birds Eat Strawberries?
Quite naturally, they do. It can become a challenge if you want to grow the plants. What about cockatiels? What do they eat in the wild? The parrots are herbivorous. Fruits and nuts make their diet together with seeds.
Strawberry is one of the best fruits. Can parrots eat strawberries? Yes, it’s edible and nutritious. The fruits contain:
- protein;
- carbs;
- vitamin C;
- manganese;
- potassium.
It’s healthy for cockatiels. However, you are to be cautious with the fruits. Why? Because the fruits can be contaminated.
How to Serve Strawberry to Cockatiels?
According to EWG Group, strawberries can contain a lot of pesticides. They grow on the ground. So, contamination is possible. Thus, wash them thoroughly.
The fruits are to be:
- clean;
- fresh;
- cut in tiny pieces;
- mold-free.
Can cockatiels eat strawberry seeds? I think they would like them. However, I give them only the internal part. I think it’s safer. Strawberries spoil fast. Bacterial or fungal contamination is to be avoided. Don’t leave the fruits in the cage for a long time. 3 hours is the final limit. Deep cleaning would be required afterward.
Can budgies eat strawberries? Of course, they do. But what is the amount? It’s small. 1 strawberry weights about 18 grams. You need to take just a tiny piece of it. I think 1 gram would be sufficient for a budgie or for a cockatiel. Sweetie likes strawberry very much. So, I can give her 2 grams. However, I try to look after her. Her health condition is to be monitored after the meal.
Are Strawberry Leaves Toxic?
Strawberry leaves also contain a lot of minerals and vitamins. They can be beneficial for human health. Can you eat strawberry leaves? You would use them to brew a tea. So, the plants are helpful to release pain, treat arthritis, improve digestive balance. Is it safe? If you don’t suffer from allergy, it is.
Might your pet be allergic? Yes, it’s possible. Is eating strawberry leaves safe for cockatiels? I would not recommend it. The plants are non-toxic, but they can cause irritation. Additionally, the leaves release gas. It is called HCN (hydrogen cyanide). The gas is toxic and poisonous to humans. What about cockatiels? I am not sure. I would not give the plants to my pets. If you are going to, ask your avian vet about it.
Verdict: So, can cockatiels eat strawberries?
So, can cockatiels eat strawberries? Yes, but only the tiny amounts. The fruits can be given as the treats only. About once a week would be sufficient. Strawberries are to be clean and pesticide-free. Avoid allergy and intoxication.
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