How To Include Protein In A Parrot's Diet - Family - Pets

Copyright (c) 2010 Kaye Dennan

Not surprisingly, parrots need to have a varied diet so that they can maintain good health. So what is a good healthy diet for a parrot? It is a diet that, amongst other things, covers a wide range of vitamins and nutrients. Parrots rely on their owners to feed them a range of food that will incorporate the necessary ingredients for good health. They need a balanced diet and they need it all week long.

Parrots need various nutrients so that:

- their feathers regrow

- their beaks stay strong

- their nails regrow

- they maintain general good health

Protein in the diet.

Parrots need proteins as they are a muscle growth and repair nutrient. Like all creatures, there will be certain times when parrots need repair to their bodies and also muscle growth so it is essential that they have the protein to rebuild. Just as an example, their beaks and claws will constantly be in a state of repair.

Proteins are comprised of amino acids, known as the "building blocks" and are divided into two groups, the essential and the non-essential. Non-essential amino acids are those that the body itself manufactures. Essential amino acids are those which the body cannot manufacture. These need to be supplied in the parrot diet. For parrots, there are a minimum of ten essential amino acids. They include: lysine, tryptophan, isoleucine, arginine, methionine, phenylalanine, leucine, threonine and valine.

Proteins are classified as either 'complete' or 'incomplete' and this on whether the particular food has a full complement of amino acids or only some of them. An example would be corn which has protein, but only a few of them so therefore corn is a poor source of protein and considered 'incomplete'.

Excellent sources of protein.

Eggs are one of the top sources for amino acids and many professional nutritionists regard them as a complete meal in themselves.

Beans are also an excellent source of amino acids and a popular food to feed parrots is fresh beans, peas and other legumes. Bean shoots are also loved by most parrots. They are sweet, fleshy and very nutritious.

Meat and dairy products are also a good source of protein for the parrot and the meat is best served raw.

A healthy parrot diet.

Variety is the key. By breaking the weekly diet down to 40% pellets, 10% grain and 50% other the parrot is going to be receiving what he needs to be healthy. The '50% other' can be broken down even further and here are 3 suggestions:

1. Chopped greens, chopped vegetables, cooked beans, grains and legumes as well as fruit, whole grain pasta

2. three different cooked grains, along with shredded or chopped sweet potatoes, carrots, squash or pumpkin. He then adds other shredded vegetables and ground nuts in this meal for some variety.

3. Bread that is homemade and created especially for parrots.

To ensure that your pet parrot is going to be around for a long time, and some breeds can live up to 80 years, feed a healthy parrot diet twice a day every day of the week to your beloved feathered friend.

iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software