Sunflower Seeds Poisonous??? Just Checking
Bob Giel
Does anybody have any idea why an otherwise rational and intelligent
person would go 'postal'/'balistic' at the sight of sunflower seeds
near our cockatiel? I have not seen anything about this in the
newsgroup and suspect it is just some kind of misunderstanding but this
is what happened.
We had many visitors in our home yesterday and one instantly migrated
to our cockatiel with deligt. When she saw the separate containers of
feed and sunflower seeds, this visitor got very anxious and animated
and told me to check with my vet, immediately, because sunflower seeds
have a chemical that is poisonous to the bird.
What the heck is she talking about? Did I miss some warning about
'toxic' sunflower seeds? They are freely sold at all pet stores in
town for cockatiels and other birds, and are highly recommended by
every book on cockatiels so am I to presume my visitor is just under
some misunderstanding? She said she has stopped giving sunflower seeds
to 'all her birds' and that I better do the same or expect some
tragedy.
I am sorry to bother the group with this, but she was very determined
and is otherwise seems a very knowledgeable person. Unless you know of
some problem, don't waste your valuable time responding to this
message. My purpose is not to clutter the group, but just to confirm
my suspicions that this is a bogus problem.
Meanwhile, if I don't hear anything negative from anybody, I'll just
continue feeding the bird a balanced diet, including sunflower seeds.
TIA
Bob Giel
Kathleen P. Lyons
In <51mceg$r...@dfw-ixnews8.ix.netcom.com> gie...@ix.netcom.com (Bob
Bob,
I'm not sure if this is what she meant but... The hull of a sunflower
seed is a natural herbacide. That means plants don't grow in them or
if they are coating the ground. Of course, birds don't eat the hull do
they?
They are sure not good for a bird, especially any of the species who
are prone to obesity and/or fatty liver disease. In our house of seven
conures, we "administer black seeds" as a treat first thing in the
morning, roughly four or five seeds per bird. That's it. As with any
treat, moderation is everything. And when in doubt, check with your
vet.
Kt Lyons
SarraM.
Bob Giel wrote:
>
> Does anybody have any idea why an otherwise rational and intelligent
> person would go 'postal'/'balistic' at the sight of sunflower seeds
> near our cockatiel? I have not seen anything about this in the
> newsgroup and suspect it is just some kind of misunderstanding but this
> is what happened.
This is one of the more ridiculous MYTHS that goes around from time to
time. According to the myth, sunflower seeds have a narcotic action on
birds that causes them to refuse all other foods and become sunflower
seed junkies, strung out and with the shakes if they don't get their
seeds.
I read an article that stated that the myth might have been perpetrated
by a company making a safflower mix, perhaps so they would corner the
seed market. I can probably find the article and quote it if anyone's
interested.
Sunflower seeds are very high in oil and fat, most birds tend to prefer
the oil seeds to the carbohydrate seeds, such as white millet and canary
seed. (Except for my teil, who won't touch sunflower, I don't think she
knows how to open them<g>)
Sunflower has a place in a balanced diet, as long as a variety of other
foods, both seed and fresh are also consumed.
Sarra
=====================================================================
Sarra Mehl, RVT
Owned by Precious (teil), Tweety and Stumpy (keets), Bruiser(Pekingese),
Daisy and Beavis(green iguanas), Rudy (red eared slider), Laverne
(african hedgehog), two geckos, a wolf spider, and too many aquariums to
list!
Mike Owen
Bob Giel wrote:
>
> Does anybody have any idea why an otherwise rational and intelligent
> person would go 'postal'/'balistic' at the sight of sunflower seeds
> near our cockatiel? I have not seen anything about this in the
> newsgroup and suspect it is just some kind of misunderstanding but this
> is what happened.
>
> to our cockatiel with deligt. When she saw the separate containers of
> feed and sunflower seeds, this visitor got very anxious and animated
> and told me to check with my vet, immediately, because sunflower seeds
> have a chemical that is poisonous to the bird.
Sunflower seed is not poisonous to birds, but it does have to be used with
some commonsense. It is a seed very rich in oils and protein, and if a
bird gets too much, it can cause liver problems, as well as obesity, from
the high protein and calorie content.
The problems can arise because parrots enjoy sunflower and can to some
extent become addicted to them, and eat sunflower to the exclusion of all
other seed. From my experience with parrots it is not the taste of
sunflower but rather the pleasure of husking the seed which they seem to be
addicted to. I have had a fair number of sunflower junkies come into my
pet shop, and in all cases if I give them sunflower kernels rather than
whole sunflower seed the birds will not show any special interest. Since
it is the kernal they actually eat, my conclusion is that they just enjoy
husking the seed. A parrots beak, mouth and tongue are a very tactile set
of tools, no doubt most have seen their parrot having fun mouthing some
object, and I think they gain pleasure, and stimulus, from the manipulative
skills involved in husking rather than the taste.
Cockatiels are, in the wild, seed eaters, and a seed based diet can be
perfectly healthy for them. It is important to use a good combination of
seed though. My preferred mix consists of roughly 10% canary seed, 40%
millets (various types) 40% panicum, 5% hulled oats and 5% sunflower and
safeflower. This gives a good balanced mix of proteins, fat and
carbohydrate, but is deficient in some vitamins. Provided that a bird gets
a good supply of fresh foods as well as seed then it will receive a
balanced diet. Note that the oil seeds (sunflower and safeflower in my
mix) should not exceed 5% of the diet, but a small amount is needed to
provide some of the amino acids lacking in other non-oil seeds. I also do
not suggest feeding the sunflower in a separate dish, have it mixed in with
the rest of the seed varieties.
It is also important to use the right type of sunflower. It should be a
grey striped variety and not black sunflower which is much too rich in
oils. Grey striped sunflower is just that in appearance. It has dark and
light grey stripes going from end to end of the seed. At least in
Australia it is a more expensive variety of sunflower, and many cheap seed
mixes (cheap in quality not necessarily price) contain black because the
manufacturers can make more profit by using cheap seed. If your seed mix
contains black sunflower then find a better mix, even if it is more
expensive.
As for pellets, well in Australia at least, the home of cockatiels,
virtually no one uses them. A recent book on cockatiel breeding in
Australia, written by two of our foremost breeders, does not even mention
them in the diet section of the book. It does stress plenty of fresh food
though.
cheers,
Mike Owen
Queensland, Australia.
SANDTM
In article <51mceg$r...@dfw-ixnews8.ix.netcom.com>, gie...@ix.netcom.com
(Bob Giel ) writes:
>I am sorry to bother the group with this, but she was very determined
>and is otherwise seems a very knowledgeable person. Unless you know of
>some problem, don't waste your valuable time responding to this
>message. My purpose is not to clutter the group, but just to confirm
>my suspicions that this is a bogus problem.
>
>
Bob,
Now saying that is just plain silly.That is what this ng is for,to
learn,talk, share ideas,ask questions. I don't know the answer to your
question but I rarely give any of my birds sunflower seeds. I use them as
a special treat every now and then so I too would like to know the answer
to that question.
Suzanne
Although I am NOT an elderly Ladie ,my friends call me Birdbiddie
tar...@getnet.com
gie...@ix.netcom.com (Bob Giel ) wrote:
>Does anybody have any idea why an otherwise rational and intelligent
>person would go 'postal'/'balistic' at the sight of sunflower seeds
>near our cockatiel? I have not seen anything about this in the
>newsgroup and suspect it is just some kind of misunderstanding but this
>is what happened.
>We had many visitors in our home yesterday and one instantly migrated
>to our cockatiel with deligt. When she saw the separate containers of
>feed and sunflower seeds, this visitor got very anxious and animated
>and told me to check with my vet, immediately, because sunflower seeds
>have a chemical that is poisonous to the bird.
>What the heck is she talking about? Did I miss some warning about
>'toxic' sunflower seeds? They are freely sold at all pet stores in
>town for cockatiels and other birds, and are highly recommended by
>every book on cockatiels so am I to presume my visitor is just under
>some misunderstanding? She said she has stopped giving sunflower seeds
>to 'all her birds' and that I better do the same or expect some
>tragedy.
>I am sorry to bother the group with this, but she was very determined
>and is otherwise seems a very knowledgeable person. Unless you know of
>some problem, don't waste your valuable time responding to this
>message. My purpose is not to clutter the group, but just to confirm
>my suspicions that this is a bogus problem.
>Meanwhile, if I don't hear anything negative from anybody, I'll just
>continue feeding the bird a balanced diet, including sunflower seeds.
>TIA
>Bob Giel
Hi Bob,
I think sunflower seeds have gotten a bad rap. They are not poisonous; however
they are high in fat and should be limited to birds which do not require a
high-fat diet. There has been talk that they are addictive, especially to
greys, however, this has been discounted as fiction rather than fact. Because
of this, many people choose to offer them only as treats or not at all.
An all-seed diet is extremely UNHEALTHY for any bird. However, if you are
feeding a well-rounded, nutritous diet, a small amount of sunflower seeds should
cause no harm to your bird.
Mary
----
Mary Arnold
Sparky's home page is the place to go,
If you want information on the grey Congo.
http://www.getnet.com/~tarnold/sparky.html
SarraM.
Chris Kenedi wrote:
>
> Great response. I am a source of bird info (as a parasitologist) for
> friends and coworkers at UMass and have had several people ask about
> "additictive" properties of sunflower seeds. I'm curious as to where
> this rumour began?
>
Hey thanks!
I'm not sure where it began, but do remember that it was around when the
safflower/non-sunflower mixes came out for the first time. I guess about
5-10 years ago. I've worked for and managed several pet stores, and remember
having irate customers demanding an explanation for us daring to sell the
deadly sunflower seeds.
This was back in the good old days, when nobody knew the detrimental effects
that an all seed diet had on our feathered friends. (And apparently TFH still
doesn't know, since most of their bird books recommend just that) The birds
weren't thriving, and good old sunflower was chosen as a scapegoat.
One of my theories on the origin of the rumor, is that since most parrots (if
given the choice) will choose sunflower first (being the most fatty oil seed,
just like chocolate and ice cream to us humans), and some will even eat
sunflower to the exclusion of all other seeds, it was determined by some
"knowledgeable authority" that the seed must not only be addictive but also
narcotic. Now if you gave me the choice between brussels sprouts and ice
cream, I know what I'd choose!<g> It was apparently the easiest explanation,
and the food manufacturers went with the faulty information. They devised
all kinds of diets that did not include sunflower, at twice the price.
Unfortunately I still see a trend towards the parrot mixes that feature
mainly sunflower seeds, a few token safflowers, a red pepper or two and not
much else in today's pet stores. And many pet store workers are sadly
lacking in updated information and still haul out that old sunflower myth,
while trying to get the customer to convert to a more expensive safflower
mix, when they should really be extolling pellets, fresh foods and a small
portion of seeds.
My fiance thinks I'm nuts, since I cook for my birds. They get all kinds of
rice, beans, fruit, veggies and homemade breads. They also get pellets and
seeds, in a lesser proportion. If I eat it the birds want to try some. I
think they are much healthier on a more varied and natural diet.
I have to go look up the article that I was reading on myths, it's on the
computer at work, but I'm pretty sure it was from the Pet Bird Report, and I
got it off the Compuserve Animals forum.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sarra Mehl, RVT
Owned by Precious (teil), Tweety and Stumpy (keets),
Bruiser(Pekingese), Daisy and Beavis(green iguanas),
Rudy (red eared slider), Laverne (african hedgehog),
Pacer(hamster), two geckos, a wolf spider, and too many
aquariums to list!
Nathan Schulman
>TIA
>Bob Giel
I don't think there is poison in sunflower seeds, but there is very
little nutrition in them. It's like raising your children on a diet of
donuts.
AngWing
As I understand it Sunflower Seeds are high in Fat and that's why you
don't give them that many. We use them as the Birdy version of M&M's for
our MSC2 and dole them out like you'd give candy to a small child. Very
Sparingly. ;-)
I've never heard that they were Toxic... but you never know...
then again, I've seen parents behave like any sugar was a poison.
Angela O'Brien
Y Elisabeth Kim
Mike Owen (mo...@peg.apc.org) wrote:
: other seed. From my experience with parrots it is not the taste of
: addicted to. I have had a fair number of sunflower junkies come into my
: pet shop, and in all cases if I give them sunflower kernels rather than
: whole sunflower seed the birds will not show any special interest. Since
: it is the kernal they actually eat, my conclusion is that they just enjoy
: husking the seed. A parrots beak, mouth and tongue are a very tactile set
: of tools, no doubt most have seen their parrot having fun mouthing some
: object, and I think they gain pleasure, and stimulus, from the manipulative
: skills involved in husking rather than the taste.
i disagree. based on the experience with *one* bird. I give Brahms (YCM)
sunflower kernels as treats and she goes nuts over them.
but, you make a good case for your point.
enjoyed reading the rest of your post as well.
oo ellis
\( )/ yk...@mason.gmu.edu
^ ^^ ^
Won Kim
This is just another case of too little information and too much
spreding. Sunflower seeds are not bad for your birds!!!!! They are
like any other seeds which are high in fats (this being unsaturated).
All birds need a well balanced diet inorder to live a long time. If
you feed your birds only one type of seed or any type of food, it
will kill or shorten their life. Further, birds seem particually
fond of seeds that are high in fat (mine likes sunflower, safflower,
and pumpkin) and will eat it only if I would let them. I give my
birds three types of seeds: sunflower, safflower, and millet. The
millet, I have haning on their jungle gym and the two "flower" seeds,
I give as treats. I make my conure roll over on his back to get
the treat. Because my birds eat pellets, veggies, fruits (only if I
warm them up), I don't worry about them eathing too much millet--millet
seems to tedious for them and they will pick at it only for a short
time. I would not make seeds a big part of their diets--remember, they
all need certain amounts of food everyday and more nutritious are
very easy to get, so why give them nothing but fat calories. (opps, a lesson
for us humans as well-only if it was easy!)
I also feed my birds pasta, chicken, rice, and beans. I don't give them
all these foods everyday, but they have the veggies and pellets as staples
and I rotate the others. Plus, I let them eat some of my food because the
y beg-though, it does not represent a significant amount in their diet. I
think that they just like to eat with me. Often, when I feed them, if I
leave the room, they will stop eating and only eat when I come back. Further,
if i play with their food, they tend to eat more.
My conure, now about four months old, will beg for me to still hand feed-which
I do. He seems happy when I do this-and it's a nice feeling for me as well.
won kim
tulane university
mlooshka
Sunflower Seeds are not poisonous, but are extremely fattening. Any
bird with a weight problem should not be allowed them. Wild birds get
enough excersise to eat them, but few pet birds do.
Jess
"...even the most avid members of the 'me generation'
must ultimately serve the life force,
if only as compost."
--Starhawk
ellen beth kessler
In <51mceg$r...@dfw-ixnews8.ix.netcom.com> gie...@ix.netcom.com (Bob
Bob, sunflower seeds being poisonous is an old wive's tale, probably
started by the Topper Seed people because they did not use sunflower
seed in their mixes. There is nothing toxic and they will not cause
halucinations (another old wive's tale). However, because sunflower
seeds are very high in fat, feeding them should be limited, especially
to birds that are prone to obesity (such as amazons AND cockatiels).
But a couple of sunflower seeds eack day for a cockatiel is just fine.
My cockatiels (and amazons etc) love them, but it is only part of their
diet.
Ellen
MFB...@aol.com
Diet health is the key. Sunflower seeds are simply high in fat and
cholesterol, so moderation is the key.
Most pet birds can handle the same diet you have: including chicken,
steak, fish, etc. If they don't like what you give them, try chewing it up
a bit first, or feeding it from your mouth. This generally gets them
interested, because it's reminiscent of their parents' feedings.
Kathy Dunning
Dear Mike ,
Pro Vet Supplies Propriety in Queensland, Australia has distributed
Lafeber Premium Daily Diet pellets, Nutri-Berries, Avi-Cakes, and
Nutri-Start (handfeeding formula) to veterinarians in Australia for
over 1 year and a half.
If you are interested in obtaining some of Lafeber's food for birds
from finches to macaws, the address is as follows:
Pro Vet Supplies Propriety, LTD.
Attention Stan Johnston
24-28 Newstead Terrace
Queensland
Newstead Brisbane 4006 Australia.
This is in regards to your statement that virtually no one in
Australia uses pellets. I wanted to let you know that there are many
who do use them. If you need information on the product line I'd love
to send it out to you.
Kathy Dunning
Lafeber Company
Mike Owen <mo...@peg.apc.org> wrote:
>Bob Giel wrote:
>>
>> Does anybody have any idea why an otherwise rational and intelligent
>> person would go 'postal'/'balistic' at the sight of sunflower seeds
>> near our cockatiel? I have not seen anything about this in the
>> newsgroup and suspect it is just some kind of misunderstanding but this
>> is what happened.
>>
>> We had many visitors in our home yesterday and one instantly migrated
>> to our cockatiel with deligt. When she saw the separate containers of
>> feed and sunflower seeds, this visitor got very anxious and animated
>> and told me to check with my vet, immediately, because sunflower seeds
>> have a chemical that is poisonous to the bird.
>> (remainder deleted)
>Sunflower seed is not poisonous to birds, but it does have to be used with
>some commonsense. It is a seed very rich in oils and protein, and if a
>bird gets too much, it can cause liver problems, as well as obesity, from
>the high protein and calorie content.
>The problems can arise because parrots enjoy sunflower and can to some
>extent become addicted to them, and eat sunflower to the exclusion of all
>other seed. From my experience with parrots it is not the taste of
>sunflower but rather the pleasure of husking the seed which they seem to be
>addicted to. I have had a fair number of sunflower junkies come into my
>pet shop, and in all cases if I give them sunflower kernels rather than
>whole sunflower seed the birds will not show any special interest. Since
>it is the kernal they actually eat, my conclusion is that they just enjoy
>husking the seed. A parrots beak, mouth and tongue are a very tactile set
>of tools, no doubt most have seen their parrot having fun mouthing some
>object, and I think they gain pleasure, and stimulus, from the manipulative
>skills involved in husking rather than the taste.
>
LYNN REED
Hi, everyone-Response has been good, but more needed. Thanks.
If you have at least one year experience with pet or breeder
birds, I would very much appreciate your completing and
directly E-mailing me the answers to the following survey.
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happily send you a copy of the issue it comes out in. We
will E-mail survey results, if submitted without mailing
address.
In case you are giving this to someone not on-line to
participate, our snailing address is:
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fineart...@gmail.com
Susan