Question 1

Protein & Amino Acids (mg per 100g Dry)

Accepted Answer

Nutrient  Actual mg (Serving)  mg per 100g (Dry Base)     Tryptophan 208 706.32   Threonine 821 2787.92   Isoleucine 933 3168.24   Leucine 1462 4964.59   Lysine 1230 4176.78   Methionine 533 1809.94   Cystine 397 1348.11   Phenylalanine 909 3086.74   Tyrosine 698 2370.24   Valine 1043 3541.77   Arginine 1027 3487.44   Histidine 405 1375.28   Alanine 952 3232.76   Aspartic acid 1719 5837.30   Glutamic acid 2236 7592.91   Glycine 575 1952.56   Proline 681 2312.51   Serine 1273 4322.80

Question 2

Vitamins (per 100g Dry)

Accepted Answer

Vitamin A (IU) 797 2706.42   Retinol (mcg) 228 774.23   Lutein+Zeaxanthin (mcg) 480 1629.96   Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol) (mg) 1.4 4.75   Riboflavin (mg) 0.7 2.38   Folate (mcg) 59.8 203.07   Vitamin B12 (mcg) 1.5 5.09   Pantothenic Acid (mg) 1.9 6.45   Choline (mg) 306 1039.10   Betaine (mg) 0.8 2.72

Question 3

Minerals (mg per 100g Dry)

Accepted Answer

Calcium 68.0 230.91   Iron 1.6 5.43   Phosphorus 234 794.61   Sodium 169 573.88   Zinc 1.4 4.75   Selenium (mcg) 41.9 142.28   Fluoride (mcg) 6.5 22.07

Question 4

Energy & Macros (per 100g Dry)

Accepted Answer

Calories (kJ) 883 2998.45   Total Carbohydrate (g) 1.5 5.09   Sugars (g) 1.5 5.09   Total Fat (g) 14.4 48.90   Total Omega-3 (mg) 106 359.95   Total Omega-6 (mg) 1616 5487.54       Data Source: ND Egg Profile

Question 5

Feeding Your Cockatiel

Accepted Answer

It is important to understand the differences between Wild birds and their captive counterparts. Wild birds will spend vast amounts of time and energy foraging for their food. Captive birds on the other hand are usually offered their food served in a bowl or plate and will consume a days worth of food in ten or fifteen minutes. Cockatiels are programmed to chew and forage, one common mistake people make is to fill their cages with cheap potentially toxic/dangerous toys and dowel perches. With nothing to chew on except their seed the birds will eat more seed, become bored, stressed and obese, which leads to associated health and behavioural problems.  We recommend the concept of “ captive foraging " or the art of mimicking the natural environment How you feed is as important as what you feed.  Parrots in captivity need to chew on green leafy branches and ‘wild foods’ to satisfy their foraging instincts. Foraging opportunities for captive parrots are necessary to maintain both mental and physical health.

Question 6

Correct Diet.

Accepted Answer

In captivity it is not possible to feed a wild diet, all we can hope to achieve is an approximation. Another common mistake people make is to feed only seed or only pellets or a combination of both, to over supplement vitamins and minerals and to concentrate to much on super foods. Birds eat to satisfy energy demands, so on a diet high in energy e.g. a high fat diet, they will eat less and therefore may not obtain the required nutrition.  There is a lot of debate on what actually makes up a balanced diet. Over the last decade we have seen many advances in understanding avian nutrition. By far the most scientific research that has been done pertains to poultry and the poultry industry is still learning. The situation in regards to Cockatiels amounts to little more than a baseline from which to start, with many people holding many different points of view. Different experts will recommend different amounts of fruit and vegetables, seeds and pellets. Many of the recommendations don't mention fresh sprouts, plant material, micro greens or green grass and other seeds like flax, rocket, wild mustard and hop bush.  Our preference for feeding is to first offer fresh green seeds, followed by sprouts and a green chop, with pellets added in the afternoon, seeds mainly chia, poppy, sesame, is available in a forage area all day, and safe native plant material is provided for chewing. Mainly bottle brush, banksia, gum, gravillea and tea tree. Late afternoon add a small amount of seed into a green chop.   Many sites describe a feeding regime in terms of % greens/veggies, seeds, pellets, and in some cases sprouts as well as listing % protein, fats, minerals and amino acids. Of course its one thing to provide a balanced diet by providing mixes of different plant material, greens, sprouts, pellets and seeds and its another thing to get your bird to eat each item in the correct amount and not to simply pick out his favourites. Proponents of pellet based diets point out the fact that pellets are specifically formulated to take the guess work out of providing a balanced diet and unlike fortified seed mixes they do not give your bird the opportunity to pick out only what he likes.  The debate about the % of pellets, seeds, fresh greens is largely irrelevant if your bird prefers to eat one over the other. For those interested in % here is roughly what we believe 30% sprouts, 35% fresh greens and plant material including green seeds and grasses, 20% pellets, 15% dried seed. Aim for 12% - 17% total protein (20% when breeding/weaning), you can boost protein levels by providing, meal worms, boiled fish, egg or chicken no more than 5% of the diet.   How to Make a Balanced Chop  The limiting Amino acids in birds are methionine and lysine along with arginine and threonine (some what less so). Lysine is the limiting amino acid in most grains and seeds, while methionine is the limiting amino acid in most beans and legumes. Its important to aim for a complete protein balance. The recommended ratio of grains to beans is usually in the neighborhood of 2:1 While studies have shown that feeding ridiculously large amounts of cholesterol to birds can cause atherosclerosis, there is no information on the effect of consuming moderate amounts of animal protein. The researchers in the field don't appear to believe that cholesterol in the diet is a leading cause of atherosclerosis in captive parrots. They cite other factors as prime suspects, including age, sex, activity level, genetics, stress levels, and the amount and type of fat in the diet. The papers that mention the two cholesterol-feeding studies are silent on the subject of avoiding animal protein.  Reference

Question 7

Safe Foods.

Accepted Answer

Safe foods are generally listed under Safe Vegetables , Safe Herbs , Safe Fruits,  Safe Nuts , Safe Sprouts you will also find Safe Plants , Safe Flowers , Safe Grasses,  Safe Weeds and Safe Table Food lists.

Question 8

Unsafe Foods

Accepted Answer

Unsafe foods are generally listed as Unsafe under the categories above and special mention are given to alcohol, tobacco, avocado, unripe egg plant, licorice, chocolate, caffeine, products containing lactose, onions (in quantity), mushrooms (some), peanuts and other plants susceptible to developing moulds or fungus. Look here for information on  plants know to be toxic  ,  specific plant toxins and symptoms  and  Naturally Occurring Food Toxins

Question 9

Supplements

Accepted Answer

Generally if your bird is receiving a balanced diet along with access to direct sunlight providing supplements is not required. I would not provide additional supplements without veterinary advice.   Reference: Avian Medicine: Princilpes and Application

Question 10

Protein & Amino Acids (mg per 100g Dry)

Accepted Answer

Nutrient  Actual mg (Serving)  mg per 100g (Dry Base)     Arginine 5566 5955.48   Glutamic acid 5954 6370.63   Aspartic acid 3418 3657.17   Leucine 2869 3069.76   Valine 2722 2912.47   Lysine 2530 2707.04   Glycine 2479 2652.47   Tryptophan 595 636.64

Question 11

Vitamins (per 100g Dry)

Accepted Answer

Vitamin K (mcg) 70.9 75.86   Choline (mg) 86.9 92.98   Gamma Tocopherol (mg) 26.3 28.14   Folate (mcg) 80.0 85.60   Niacin (mg) 2.4 2.57

Question 12

Minerals (mg per 100g Dry)

Accepted Answer

Phosphorus 1620 1733.36   Potassium 1114 1191.95   Magnesium 738 789.64   Iron 20.7 22.15   Zinc 10.3 11.02   Manganese 4.2 4.49   Copper 1.9 2.03

Question 13

Energy & Macros (per 100g Dry)

Accepted Answer

Calories (kJ) 3128 3346.88   Total Fat (g) 63.3 67.73   Total Omega-6 (mg) 28571 30570.25   Total Omega-3 (mg) 250 267.49   Dietary Fiber (g) 5.4 5.78       Data Source: ND Pumpkin Seed Profile

Question 14

Protein & Amino Acids (mg per 100g Dry)

Accepted Answer

Nutrient  Actual mg (Serving)  mg per 100g (Dry Base)     Tryptophan 35.4 127.23   Threonine 199 715.19   Isoleucine 199 715.19   Leucine 536 1926.35   Lysine 211 758.32   Methionine 103 370.18   Cystine 40.0 143.76   Phenylalanine 231 830.20   Tyrosine 189 679.25   Valine 285 1024.27   Arginine 202 725.97   Histidine 137 492.37   Alanine 454 1631.65   Aspartic acid 376 1351.32   Glutamic acid 979 3518.46   Glycine 196 704.41   Proline 450 1617.27   Serine 236 848.17

Question 15

Vitamins (per 100g Dry)

Accepted Answer

Vitamin A (IU) 288 1035.05   Beta Carotene (mcg) 72.4 260.20   Beta Cryptoxanthin (mcg) 177 636.13   Lutein+Zeaxanthin (mcg) 992 3565.18   Vitamin C (mg) 10.5 37.74   Folate (mcg) 70.8 254.45   Pantothenic Acid (mg) 1.2 4.31   Choline (mg) 35.4 127.23

Question 16

Minerals (mg per 100g Dry)

Accepted Answer

Iron 0.8 2.88   Magnesium 57.0 204.85   Phosphorus 137 492.37   Potassium 416 1495.08   Sodium 23.1 83.02   Zinc 0.7 2.52

Question 17

Energy & Macros (per 100g Dry)

Accepted Answer

Calories (kJ) 553 1987.44   Total Carbohydrate (g) 29.3 105.30   Dietary Fiber (g) 4.2 15.09   Sugars (g) 5.0 17.97   Total Fat (g) 1.8 6.47   Total Omega-6 (mg) 835 3000.93       Data Source: ND Sweet Corn Profile

Question 18

Protein & Amino Acids (mg per 100g Dry)

Accepted Answer

Nutrient  Actual mg (Serving)  mg per 100g (Dry Base)     Tryptophan 20.6 148.94   Threonine 64.6 467.07   Isoleucine 77.4 559.61   Leucine 93.0 672.40   Lysine 100 723.01   Methionine 24.1 174.25   Cystine 14.2 102.67   Phenylalanine 59.6 430.92   Tyrosine 44.7 323.19   Valine 90.9 657.22   Arginine 103 744.70   Histidine 35.5 256.67   Alanine 83.8 605.89   Aspartic acid 151 1091.75   Glutamic acid 266 1923.22   Glycine 67.4 487.31   Proline 80.9 584.92   Serine 71.0 513.34

Question 19

Vitamins (per 100g Dry)

Accepted Answer

Vitamin A (IU) 2130 1540.02   Vitamin C (mg) 66.2 477.19   Riboflavin (mg) 0.1 0.72   Niacin (mg) 0.5 3.62   Vitamin B6 (mg) 0.1 0.72   Folate (mcg) 50.4 364.40   Pantothenic Acid (mg) 0.4 2.89

Question 20

Minerals (mg per 100g Dry)

Accepted Answer

Calcium 34.1 246.55   Iron 0.6 4.34   Magnesium 17.7 127.97   Phosphorus 46.9 332.59   Potassium 231 166.29   Sodium 19.2 138.82   Manganese 0.2 1.45   Selenium (mcg) 2.1 14.46

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