Debating this is sort of like talking politics. It can sometimes get heated! Although I draw on a lot of research for this article—and the articles it references—there’s also opinion at play as well as my own experience.
In my mind, the biggest downside to pellets is that they are ultra-processed…
Primarily in the United States, the conventional wisdom is that seed diets are bad because they are high in fat. As a result, they will lead to obesity, poor feather condition, and chronic diseases. I’ve written many articles providing research that debunks this wisdom that is hammered into …
I’ve presented research for years about the value of a low carbohydrate high fat diet not only for parrots, but for humans as well.
Yes.
Are egg yolks good for your bird?
Especially!
I like when I can give short answers! Evidence for my answers mostly come from my previous articles, but I have some new references.
Let loose the hate mail.
Let’s start with this one. I know some bird owners that are…
The supplements section of a grocery store or health food store can be filled with over a thousand products, each with their own health claims. As a consumer, it can be hard to sort through it all, especially since there is little regulation in many countries.
This blog is about birds, though, which makes…
Many of the companies that make pellets have pictures such as these on their websites or as handouts that are given to vets. They purport to demonstrate what birds look like on seed diets and their radical transformation after being switched to pellets.
If a vet gives you a handout like this, now you know…
What are the top chronic diseases that parrots get?
Sound familiar? We can’t ignore the fact that parrots get the same chronic diseases we do. Yet we feed our parrots the same way we are told to feed ourselves. Eat a low fat diet,…
I’m defining a “dry diet” as either pellets, seeds, dried chop, and other dry ingredients—or a combination of them. Regardless of the dry diet, most people know the importance of giving your bird fresh vegetables and fruit every day.
This article is closely related to a number I’ve already…
Feather plucking is something I’ve always been curious about. There isn’t much research into it and no magic bullets. But if you search the internet for it, you’ll find dozens of proposed remedies, none of which have any scientific backing.
With one exception. Here’s one study …
This is one of those articles I feel like I shouldn’t have to write. No creature should eat artificial colors, period. Having said that, there’s a ton of research into the hazards of artificial colors to back up my feeling.
The most unequivocal I could find is this one.
…This review finds that