Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!intercon!ooblick
From: ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: INDOOR: Diet for parrots (long)
Message-ID: <2728B950.4E47@intercon.com>
Date: 26 Oct 90 22:31:43 GMT
References: <271A5C6B.51F4@intercon.com> <1990Oct24.191244.13271@unislc.uucp>
Distribution: na
Organization: InterCon Systems Corporation, Sterling, VA
Lines: 23

Beware any advice for high protein foods for birds!  New studies
suggest that anything over 16-17%, even for breeding birds, is
too high and results in uric acid levels that the bird can't
assimilate.  This causes a phenomenon that looks like calcification
of the organs.

Also, do NOT feed dog food to birds.  I used to, and it is a big
mistake.  Dog food is made with dogs in mind (logic, eh?) and thus
there are no checks against high levels of protein, including e-coli.
Birds have no natural defenses against these bacteria.  Dogs, who as
we know, eat anything they find, have a high immunity level against
the stuff.  THEY have no problem.

Also, beware of monkey chow.  Soaked monkey chow is a breeding ground
for bacteria.  It is not a good idea to let monkey chow soak for a
long time then feed it to birds.

There are many people who will tell you that animal protein is also
not good for psittacines.  Use your judgement, tempered with some
common sense.

Mikki Barry
Natural Intelligence Aviaries