Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: How To Include Protein In A Parrot's Diet

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? So
what is a good healthy diet for a parrot?
Parrots need a wide range of vitamins and
minerals just as the parrot owner does. Parrots
rely on their owners to give them the proper food
so that they can maintain good health. They
require a balanced diet, to be fed twice a day
and 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 which are
manufactured by the body itself. Essential amino
acids are those which the body cannot
manufacture. These must be supplied by 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 considered either 'incomplete' or
'complete' and this classification depends on the
whether the food has a full compliment of amino
acids or not. Corn would be an example of a
protein food, but it only has a few of them so
that makes corn a poor source of protein and
considered an 'incomplete' protein.

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.

Legumes are an excellent source of amino acids,
parrots love them and they make great foods for
the parrot to nibble on. 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 brought down
even further for diet variation 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.

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Parrot lovers and those wishing to buy a parrot,
will find much more information about parrots on
the following website http://petparrotsecrets.com
and can sign up to my FREE '10 Secrets to Caring
for a Pet Parrot' mini-course.

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