Does your parrot get enough vitamin A?

Most parrot owners know that we need to feed our birds fresh fruits and vegetables. The key question here is why and which ones meet the goal we are trying to achieve. Below is a list of fruits and vegetables that are great sources of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is needed to help your bird to maintain his/her immune system and keep your bird from developing bacteria and yeast infections. Vitamin A also helps to maintain tissue that is lining the respiratory, digestive and urinary tract.

• yellow/winter squash
• sweet potatoes/yams
• carrots
• egg yolks
• alfalfa sprouts
• endive
• kale
• cod liver oil
• collard greens
• mustard greens
• turnip greens
• broccoli
• beet greens
• chicory
• Peas

The darker the flesh of the fruits and/or vegetables that are listed, the higher the vitamin A and beta carotene levels are.

While this list is not to be considered a complete list of the possibilities, these suggestions will get your bird off to a great start to a healthier , happier, and longer life.

A few things to keep in mind is to always thoroughly wash all vegetables even if they are from your own garden as there could be spores of mold on them. Buy organic when possible and always wash fruit to ensure that the pesticides are off.

Vegetables and Fruit to “De-Seed” – Apples, All Citrus Fruit, Cherries, Pears, Peaches, Plums, Nectarines, Apricots.

Leave these Fruits & Veggies “Seeded” – Cucumbers, watermelon, papaya, can-taloupes, lightly steamed pumpkins, squash, strawberries, raspberries

To Peel or Not to Peel – If you are peeling your fruits, your birds are missing the parts that have the highest concentration of vitamins. The skins not only provide the most nutrition, they also provide ―visual stimulation!

Remember - If in doubt - DO NOT feed it to your birds.