Is LETTUCE okay for birds???
Romolo Raffo
My sister and I have argued about this to no avail. One says it
shouldn't be fed to birds for various reasons and the other admits it
doesn't have much nutrients but can't imagine why it would do any harm.
Opinions?
Thanks,
Nicolo
aolsz
Romolo Raffo (ra...@ix.netcom.com) wrote:
:
: My sister and I have argued about this to no avail. One says it
I'd rinse any vegetable to try to remove pesticides.
The deep green varities of lettuce are very good for birds. With the
regular Iceberg lettuce, try to use the green outer leaves. The inner
leaves are not very nutritious, but not harmful.
If not given fruit or vegetables often, the bird might experience loose
droppings. Just feed the fresh items regularly, so that the bird's sytem
can adjust to it.
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PETCRAFT WEB PAGE
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Richanna Patrick
It is fun shread food, but has almost zero nutrition. Try spinach or at
least something greener than iceberg lettuce.
--Richie
In article <4pdl4o$s...@dfw-ixnews2.ix.netcom.com>,
Allynn Wilkinson
Richanna Patrick wrote:
>
> It is fun shread food, but has almost zero nutrition. Try spinach or at
> least something greener than iceberg lettuce.
> --Richie
>
I agree that it has 'zip' nutritional value but it *is* a great
'water-substitute' for long trips (doesn't spill :-)
On a related subject.... is there *any* nutritional value in celery
*leaves*??? My 'keets really love the stuff and I'm encouraged by the sharp
taste that there might be *something* worthwhile in there. Or is this just
wishful thinking on my part?
Allynn
Amy Young-Leith
In article <4pdl4o$s...@dfw-ixnews2.ix.netcom.com>,
Romolo Raffo <ra...@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>My sister and I have argued about this to no avail. One says it
>shouldn't be fed to birds for various reasons and the other admits it
>doesn't have much nutrients but can't imagine why it would do any harm.
> Opinions?
In a great book on pet bird nutrition, "Feeding Your Pet Bird" by Dr.
Petra M. Burgmann, DVM there is no mention of lettuce being toxic.
Iceburg or head lettuce is water and some cellulose... no nutrative
value. Darker, leafy lettuces do have reasonable amounts of vitamins in
them.
amy
John Markus
=> My sister and I have argued about this to no avail. One says it
=> shouldn't be fed to birds for various reasons and the other admits it
=> doesn't have much nutrients but can't imagine why it would do any harm.
=> Opinions?
I think you're both right in a way.
Iceburg lettuce is virtually nutritionless and is not recommended as food
for that reason, but it's not harmful in any way.
Other types of lettuce, such as romaine, grean leaf, endive, etc, do have
nutritional value, and is good for birds.
I'm not an expert on this, but this is what I've gleaned from from various
comments from the experts that I've heard.
--
John Markus
jma...@wco.com
_/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/
Shannon Larkin
Any references to lettuce being toxic is usually to the pesticides or fertilizers used
on them. They really soak into the outer leaves, and apparently Iceberg is a big
offender (takes up lots of toxins). In feeding lettuce to a bird, it is probably best
to stick to "organic" lettuce, or remove the outer leaves and wash it really well.
Lettuce in itself is not toxic, or the starlings in my neighborhood would all be dead
from stealing from my garden.
Just my $.02.
-Shannon and Birdy
CKrof
ra...@ix.netcom.com(Romolo Raffo ) wrote:
>
>My sister and I have argued about this to no avail. One says it
>
>Thanks,
>Nicolo
Hi Nicolo. As amy posted, iceberg lettuce has little nutritive value.
Years ago it was common practice in California to feed pet desert
tortoises iceberg lettuce. They absolutely loved it! Cool,
crunchy, refreshing! However, the tortoises developed nutritional
deficiencies that often lead to their death. (They are now on the
endangered list, by the way).
If your bird fills up on icegerg, he won't eat the other GOOD foods you
provide. This is the harm it does!
So, as far as your daily feeding of the greens family, go for the darkest
leafy greens your birds will eat. Mine love romaine lettuce. When we're
traveling, and, say, I pick up a few things from the salad bar (a no
sulfite salad bar) to give to my bird, I do get a couple small pieces of
iceberg, but it's a rare treat. Carol :)
Dennis L
ra...@ix.netcom.com(Romolo Raffo ) wrote:
>
>My sister and I have argued about this to no avail. One says it
>shouldn't be fed to birds for various reasons and the other admits it
>doesn't have much nutrients but can't imagine why it would do any harm.
> Opinions?
Lettuce for all intents and purposes offers no nutritional value. So
feeding the bird lettuce could lead to deficiencies.
Miguel de Salas
There is nothing wrong with feeding lettuce to the birds, as long as it has
been washed free of pesticides or is organic. But why use lettuce? Comfrey has
heaps of nutrients and is very good for them, Spinach too. Here in Australia
practically everybody feeds their birds silverbeet. I've fed mine apples,
carrots, peas, milk thistle, chickweed(Which grow as weeds all over the
garden), all sorts of seeding semi-ripe grasses, sprouted seed, and also
branches and twigs of Cotoneaster, Crataegus and Pyracantha with all the
berries in them.
The more variety they are fed, the happier they will live, and the
better breeding results you will get. One should always try to approximate
their wild diet, in which they eat a huge variety of foods.
I sometimes feed mealworms and termites to my finches and they love
them. Parrots aren't so enthusiastic.
CHERANE PEFLEY, CAS
In article <4pnhsj$4...@franklin.its.utas.edu.au> Miguel de Salas
wrote:
>Date: Thu, 13 Jun 96 18:56:01 GMT
>From: mm...@postoffice.sandybay.utas.edu.au (Miguel de Salas)
>Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
>Subject: Re: Is LETTUCE okay for birds???
>
>There is nothing wrong with feeding lettuce to the birds, as long
as it
> has
>been washed free of pesticides or is organic. But why use lettuce?
Comfrey
> has
>heaps of nutrients and is very good for them, Spinach too. Here in
Australi
>a
>practically everybody feeds their birds silverbeet. I've fed mine
apples,
>carrots, peas, milk thistle, chickweed(Which grow as weeds all
over the
>garden), all sorts of seeding semi-ripe grasses, sprouted seed,
and also
>branches and twigs of Cotoneaster, Crataegus and Pyracantha with
all the
>berries in them.
Oh, what a wonderful assortment of Gods gift to feather kids. I
have to go to the Health Store for these healthy, healing super
bird's food that you feed from your back yard.
No, way can I get this in the manner you have available. I sprout
thanks to Howard Voren contact to get me the stuff as I sprout the
China red peas, in the shell rice, peas, beans with much more. I
always have pans sitting around here. I have to say, it also helps
me for my eating habits.
I treat my kids with Dandilion Greens from "Public" Super Market
but would rather have you Milk thistle and chickweed.
I do practice Holistic Approach with my kids ...but you can call it
"living practice"
smile
> The more variety they are fed, the happier they will live, and
the
>better breeding results you will get. One should always try to
approximate
>their wild diet, in which they eat a huge variety of foods.
> I sometimes feed mealworms and termites to my finches and they
love
>them. Parrots aren't so enthusiastic.
Cherane Pefley, Certified Avian Specialist
Harlan Messinger
Allynn Wilkinson (awi...@bgnet.bgsu.edu) wrote:
: On a related subject.... is there *any* nutritional value in celery
: taste that there might be *something* worthwhile in there. Or is this just
: wishful thinking on my part?
Celery (both stalk and leaves), like iceberg lettuce, has virtually no
nutritive value. My understanding about the iceberg lettuce is that it can
lead to looser droppings, though I don't know whether any gastric distress
accompanies this.
Adam Sundor
Harlan Messinger (gu...@clark.net) wrote:
Will you forgive me if I make mention that in Chinese medicine and
perhaps in a recent medical study, there is something in celery which can
reduce high blood pressure. You'd have to eat a lot, a pound, two
pounds? And it's not just the chewing that calms your nerves although
eating 2 pounds of celery would wipe out whatever nervousness I had.
Adam Sundor
CStern
Iceberg lettuce is virtually nutrient-free, and has, at least in humans,
negative caloric value. However, romaine lettuce and red leaf lettuce are
both tasty and nutritious.
Iceberg lettuce is good, though, for long car trips where there is not
going to be a certain water supply.
Chuck Stern <and Spike the 'tiel, Tweety the budgie and Romeo the
Eclectus>
cst...@aol.com
Are you pondering what I'm pondering?
bill mac donald
avia...@raleigh.ibm.com
There is nothing wrong with feeding lettuce to your birds AS LONG AS it is NOT an integral part
of the birds diet. By this I mean if you want to give them a few leaves or a whole head of
lettuce occasionally so they can do what is natural (shred it), that's fine. The problem with
lettuce is it has almost no nutritional value so should not be included in the diet.
Ted, Ziggy & Flo (CAGs) and Buffett (MA) <- who destroyed their Romane lettuce yesterday!!
Robert Klace
In article <31bf9fbe...@news.primenet.com>,
dl...@primenet.com (Dennis L) wrote:
>
>Lettuce for all intents and purposes offers no nutritional value. So
>feeding the bird lettuce could lead to deficiencies.
But it does give them something to tear to shreads. Something birds
generaly love to do. I belive it also can provide them with water. But
then, they could just as easily take a drink when they are thirsty, so...
I give my Cherry Head Conures a little lettuce now & then. Just to be
different. I don't use it as a food supliment, thou.
============================================================================
=INET:"artl...@icanect.net" == UUCP:"artl...@crashb.megalith.miami.fl.us"=
============================================================================
======== Member of the International Association of United Poodles =========
="We will not be shaved to look like balloon animals covered in lintballs!"=
============================================================================
Monica Sudds
artl...@icanect.net (Robert Klace) wrote:
>In article <31bf9fbe...@news.primenet.com>,
> dl...@primenet.com (Dennis L) wrote:
>>
>>Lettuce for all intents and purposes offers no nutritional value. So
>>feeding the bird lettuce could lead to deficiencies.
>But it does give them something to tear to shreads. Something birds
>generaly love to do. I belive it also can provide them with water. But
>then, they could just as easily take a drink when they are thirsty, so...
>I give my Cherry Head Conures a little lettuce now & then. Just to be
>different. I don't use it as a food supliment, thou.
My birds get a little lettuce too. Along with 2 all beef patties,
pickles, special sauce, cheese all on a seseme seed bun. Not too
frequently though. (oh, and a french fry or 2)
===============================================================================
Monica Sudds CAS, Pres. Beakers Parrot Society, Iowa State Coordinator for AFA
Beakers Exotics bea...@probe.net http://www.probe.net/~beakers/
3217 Italy Avenue 712) 642-4578 24 hr. fax (712) 642-3710
Missouri Valley, IA 51555 (comments, questions and polite critisism welcome!)
===============================================================================
Dan Reynolds
CStern (cst...@aol.com) wrote:
: Iceberg lettuce is virtually nutrient-free, and has, at least in humans,
: negative caloric value. However, romaine lettuce and red leaf lettuce are
: both tasty and nutritious.
I was wondering, then...
I have a *slightly* pudgy Macaw (Titan the Harlequin is 1152 gm and should
be about 1125, says the vet) who also really likes to eat with the flock-
It dosen't really sound like a few forkfulls of lettuce would be bad for
him then...... (having to watch the Ceaser dressing...yum yum..)
any comments?
tina marie smith
Allynn Wilkinson (awi...@bgnet.bgsu.edu) wrote:
: Richanna Patrick wrote:
: >
: > It is fun shread food, but has almost zero nutrition. Try spinach or at
: > least something greener than iceberg lettuce.
: > --Richie
: >
: I agree that it has 'zip' nutritional value but it *is* a great
: 'water-substitute' for long trips (doesn't spill :-)
: On a related subject.... is there *any* nutritional value in celery
: *leaves*??? My 'keets really love the stuff and I'm encouraged by the sharp
: taste that there might be *something* worthwhile in there. Or is this just
: wishful thinking on my part?
: Allynn
J-lee Saeger
Most types of lettuce are good for your parrot.....iceberg on the other hand
has little to no nutrition. If you want to use lettuce try the other
ypes....ie....romain, boston...etc.... And don't forget about the other
vegitables, fruits, meats, pasta, rice, beans, eggs,...well put it this way..
almost everything you can eat so can your bird.
It is easier to list what not to feed. Avacados, chocolate, any friut seeds,
and of course...nothing cooked in non-stick pans!
Hope this helps.
Pat Rahikainen
Ya mean my birds are the only carnivores out there? :-)
Pat Rahikainen (khu...@netnet.net)
*An ye harm none, do as ye will*
Pamela Hosler
I'd like to add that most foods given in reasonable amounts...you don't want
to give any one food in a vast amount..also I have always cooked in and fed my
birds from foods in non-stick pans....the warning here is that if you overheat
non-stick pans the gases are toxic to birds...they will not die from food
cooked in non-stick pans. Generally the public is told not to use non-stick
pans, because people tend to leave pots on the stove....unattended..
J-lee Saeger
better safe than sorry... :) something always has a way of coming up to
distact you......
Pat Rahikainen
khu...@netnet.net (Pat Rahikainen) wrote:
>Pat Rahikainen (khu...@netnet.net)
OOOOPS
Shouldve read *arent the only carnivores out there?*
Jlammons
I live near the Brookfield Zoo near Chicago. When my Budgies
had babies, the zoo bird curaters recommended that I feed my birds
plenty of lettuce but to avoid the "iceberg" types. Although the dark
colored lettuces & greens are very good, lettuce types like "iceberg" are
not good as they contain mostly water. My grocer has given me a lot of the
Leaves they discard from the outside of fancy greens,. I wash them well.
My birds love them. Otherwise, these great food items would go in the
trash!! Jeanette
Katherine L. Ellis
Jack Zupan
Pat Rahikainen (khu...@netnet.net) wrote:
: Ya mean my birds are the only carnivores out there? :-)
My two year old female budgie loves chicken. And I've also seen her go
after a live spider.
- Jack
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
o/~ "Music is God's voice" )Jack Zupan
)j...@apk.net
- Brian Wilson - ) Keet (^,^)