Peanuts Ok as Treats?

Animal · Jun 8, 2010

I received some bird food from the vet when I adopted my birds and the food had peanuts in it and my birds seem to really like them because they sift through all the food for the peanuts.

I'm switching my birds to a vitamin enriched pellet diet so they won't be getting peanuts in their food anymore.

I was wondering if human grade plain peanuts would be ok to give them as a treat?

Spiritbird · Jun 8, 2010

Ok if they are unsalted and as u say human grade.

Allan Gibbs · Jun 8, 2010

I agree. I read that human grade peanut has less chance of fungus infection that what's sold as avian food. I still have a large bag of avian peanuts but I usually peel the shells first.

I'd like to switch to pellets but I don't think my Conures will eat them. They're very stubborn.

cnyguy · Jun 8, 2010

Human-grade peanuts should be OK. My old Amazon, George, used to get them a few times a week (he ate the shells and threw the peanuts away), and he lived a long, healthy life. I now give them to my new Quaker parrot Ralph occasionally too.

parrotqueen · Jun 9, 2010

This is the perfect opportunity for me to share this paragraph with everyone:

The single most memorable piece of advice I was given that I will pass along to you is to never, ever give a parrot a peanut. Every single source of information I have found on this subject is in total agreement. Virginia Caputo, author of Aspergillosis & Jardine’s Parrots says: “Peanuts grow in the ground and are considered to be a common source of aspergillus which can sicken birds."

Peanuts are also often contaminated with aflatoxin, a fungal toxin. Aflatoxin is carcinogenic and causes liver damage in birds and other animals. Roasting reduces aflatoxin but does not eliminate it entirely. North American peanut producers are currently working on eliminating contaminated peanuts from their products. Caution is advised when feeding peanuts. Some bird owners, opting to be on the safe side, are eliminating peanuts from their pets' diet.
Be aware of the possibility of mold growing in all seeds and nuts.”

Copied from Avianweb.com: http://www.avianweb.com/aspergillosis.html

Be careul, and always do your homework before introducing any new food item.

Aussie Ben · Jun 18, 2010

parrotqueen said:
This is the perfect opportunity for me to share this paragraph with everyone:

The single most memorable piece of advice I was given that I will pass along to you is to never, ever give a parrot a peanut. Every single source of information I have found on this subject is in total agreement. Virginia Caputo, author of Aspergillosis & Jardine’s Parrots says: “Peanuts grow in the ground and are considered to be a common source of aspergillus which can sicken birds."

Peanuts are also often contaminated with aflatoxin, a fungal toxin. Aflatoxin is carcinogenic and causes liver damage in birds and other animals. Roasting reduces aflatoxin but does not eliminate it entirely. North American peanut producers are currently working on eliminating contaminated peanuts from their products. Caution is advised when feeding peanuts. Some bird owners, opting to be on the safe side, are eliminating peanuts from their pets' diet.
Be aware of the possibility of mold growing in all seeds and nuts.”

Copied from Avianweb.com: http://www.avianweb.com/aspergillosis.html

Be careul, and always do your homework before introducing any new food item.

I will definitely be looking at peanuts in a different light now. My ekkie loves peanuts and I have used them as treats a lot. He will always pick almonds over peanuts though so I think I will be using Almonds for treats from now on. I buy natural peanuts (in shells) from the shops, but i usually end up eating more than he does anyway

PS: don't send a link saying almonds are bad for my bird now

antoinette · Jun 18, 2010

NUTS are okay as treats
Nuts that are healthy for birds are :

Plain cashews
Pecan Nuts
Almonds
Walnuts
Raw Peanuts
Hazel Nuts
Brazil Nuts
Macadamias Plain

Aussie Ben · Jun 18, 2010

NUTS are okay as treats
Nuts that are healthy for birds are :
Plain cashews
Pecan Nuts
Almonds
Walnuts
Raw Peanuts
Hazel Nuts
Brazil Nuts
Macadamias Plain

Thanks for that info, there are a few there I haven't tried. I have tried Pine Nuts also, but they were not very popular

antoinette · Jun 18, 2010

Aussie Ben said:
NUTS are okay as treats
Nuts that are healthy for birds are :
Plain cashews
Pecan Nuts
Almonds
Walnuts
Raw Peanuts
Hazel Nuts
Brazil Nuts
Macadamias Plain

Click to expand...

Thanks for that info, there are a few there I haven't tried. I have tried Pine Nuts also, but they were not very popular

Your welcome.....

I run a dried fruit and nut business from home, I think that's why Mishka is so nutty LoL.

I did not mention pine-nut, as they are so terribly expensive, at the moment. Mishka dislikes them as well

Aussie Ben · Jun 18, 2010

I did not mention pine-nut, as they are so terribly expensive, at the moment

Yea they sure are. I bought them for the first time a few days ago and decided that if they were liked, they would definitely be a 'sometimes' treat. Wouldn't matter to them, they get spoiled rotten anyway

Peanuts Ok as Treats?

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