Your African Grey and nutrition

There is a lot of information available in books and on the Web about diets for your hand reared African Grey  and this is changing all the time as our knowledge of these parrots continues to improve. This is due to in the most part to the research that is being done on nutrition in pets and wild birds.

In the wild theses Parrots eat a variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, berries and vegetation. They will clamber from branch to branch while feeding instead of flying. They especially treasure the palm fruit oil.

Between 50% and 75% of African Grey illnesses are avoidable by feeding a nutritionally superior diet. Malnutrition causes reduced immune response and poor health. Poor health causes decreased absorption of nutrients and less efficient metabolism or nutrient processing. Disease or any other stresses (like travelling, changing cage etc.) increases the body's requirements for nutrients.

The key to nutrition is variety. Palettes should form the foundation of the diet, but should be supplemented with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as grains and proteins. A small amount of seed mix can be fed as well, keeping in mind that seeds have some nutritional value and place in the diet but are largely fattening. As a general rule any wholesome, nutritious food that you and your family eat, your bird can eat.

Most fruit, vegetables and greens are suitable for Greys and should account for approximately 20 - 25% of the diet/ - a tip

Apple, Apricots fresh or dry remove stone, Banana remove the skins, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry tomatoes, ordinary tomatoes, Figs one once a week as the are high in iron, Grapes but use seedless, Melon Greys enjoy the seeds from these, Nectarine, Orange, Pear, Pineapple, papaya, parsnip Pomegranate with pips are fine, , Raspberry, Strawberries, Boxed mini sun ripened sultanas / currants, Carrots, Cauliflower, peppers (red/green & hot), spinach, sprouted seeds, squash, Root vegetables like Potato, Swede should be cooked without salt.

The following are also fine but the stone must be removed first Plums, Prunes, Mango and Cherries.

Some birds even enjoy a small amount of lean meat, (one chicken thighbone (weekly) with a little meat attached), egg (boiled OR scrambled the egg yolk is higher in vitamins than the white of the egg) occasionally

Foods like Lettuce, celery and other pale vegetable with high water composition offer very little nutritional value. Peanuts in the shell have been known to harbour harmful fungal spores and peanuts can stop the absorption of calcium into the body.

Following is a list of foods that may be potentially toxic and generally not healthy for any parrot.

All fruit and vegetable should be fresh and of standard that humans would eat. Never feed fruits that are just beginning to turn bad as this could be harmful to them.

Important:- Always monitor the amount of food eaten every day by each Grey


Water

Fresh clean water must be available at all times. Daily cleaning/disinfecting of water containers is essential.


Health

African Greys are incredibly endearing and complicated creatures. Their strength of high intelligence and sensitivity can also be a weakness, if they're not properly nurtured. Generally the Grey is a robust birds, but when changes are made to its environment they can become nervous. Greys should not be left completely cage bound or left for long periods of time as this lead to feather plucking problems if the bird becomes frustrated. This can develop into a serious problem in some cases. You must remember that your African Grey needs a stimulating environment and plenty of your time. If time is what you don't have you would better of with another type of bird.

Playtime is crucial to the physical and emotional health of your Grey. Playtime stimulates and coordinates and proved energy outlet. Thing of activities that will stimulate your grey to flap their wings, climb, hold things, chew them, preening and talking/singing.

You want your Grey to have a safe environment to live in so think about those thing in the home that could cause problem. The easiest way to do this is think of your African Grey a young child. Here his a list of reminder but it is by no means an extensive one.

Ceiling fans, hot cooking oil, Teflon-coated items (overheated), leg chains, sandpaper-covered perches, tobacco and cigarette smoke, chocolate, avocado, salt, alcohol, toxic houseplants, pesticides, toxic fumes, easily dismantled toys, dogs, cats and young children, cedar, redwood and pressure-treated wood shavings and sources of lead or zinc.

Your Grey will need at least 10 hours darkness and quiet for sleep ad maybe more for younger birds. A TV in the room does not equal good sleep.

Birds are masters of disguise' and it is true, if you really suspect that your bird is ill, then it probably is very ill, you should consult an Avian Vet immediately don't waste time, do it straight away. Caution signs they you may want to look out for are as follows:

- Green, black or yellow dropping - indicates bird is not eating or sick

- Runny/loose droppings - may indicate bacterial/disease problem

- Fluffing of feathers - general sign of not feeling well

- Listlessness - general sign of not feeling well

- Not perching, going to the bottom of the cage, are general signs of your grey not feeling well

African Greys require regular, routine veterinary health check-ups. Your veterinarian can perform a physical examination, grooming (beak, nail or feather trim ). Veterinary check-ups help prevent disease and will aid in the maintenance of a long lasting, healthy relationship between you and your bird. I suggest you choose a vet who specializes in birds and is registered with the Association of Avian Veterinarians.

It takes a lot of effort and commitment to be a good companion to an African Grey, but any Grey owner will tell you it's worth it

For more information on Health Issues with Greys please follow these links which will take you to other websites:

Feather Disorders

Common Diseases And Infections Of Parrots


Telling the sex of your hand reared African Grey

This very difficult Some say, the male African Grey has a squared off sort of shape of head, whereas the female's is smaller and more oval. Also, the red tail feathers on the male may be dark grey at the base, but the female's are light grey or red throughout. Since the coloration of the Grey can vary (some are spotted red all over, some have a few red feathers on their wings, some are all grey and only have a light ruddy-red coloured tail, etc), also males may be darker in colour. This can only be based on the fact both birds originated in the same region of Africa or they are chicks from the same clutch. Also, hens may have a gradual dark-to-light transition of grey from the neck to the belly, while males have a more uniform grey in the same area. Most methods are just speculation, the only conclusive way is to have sex of your Grey tested by DNA.