Can budgies have peanuts?

[Cali&Pilot]

Hey so I was wondering if budgies can have peanuts, because I know that macaws can, but I didn't know if budgies could or not

 

[Corkscr.ew]

They can, but it isn't recommended to feed them regularly because peanuts in a daily diet can cause aspergillosis and other issues.

 

[Cali&Pilot]

They can, but it isn't recommended to feed them regularly because peanuts in a daily diet can cause aspergillosis and other issues.

ok thank youuu

 

[rheashard2]

Aspergillus fungus is not removed completely by roasting. My avian vet suggestion 1. Is do not feed. 2. If you must brand name roasted and for human consumption. Do not use bulk or bin peanuts. 3. Feed fewer then 6 in shell peanuts in 2 weeks. 4. Have signs of the aflatoxin poisoning (what aspergillus causes) listed somewhere for you to check. I find it easier to not feed. I substitute pistachios, raw or roasted plain no salt etc.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

If it's unsalted and for human consumption a peanut snack would be fine. I think you'll have to crush up the nut meats so budgies can eat them.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

I was told that human-grade stuff without shells is safe for most parrots. The stuff in parrot food mixes is bound to have fungus and stuff on it.

 

[rheashard2]

Sorry but my years of being in health care is asserting itself. Assuming human grade peanuts are safe for people should be dropped from thinking. People get aspergillus poisoning too! They get it by eating peanuts and other things. It causes similar symptoms as in birds. The main factors in controlling this fungus is not in consumer hands. Needed is good agricultural, manufacturing, packaging etc practices. So I am cautious.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

So, should I not be eating planters peanuts in a jar and peanut butter?

 

[rheashard2]

I eat peanuts, peanut butter etc. I severely limit amounts given to my CAG. Awareness is my goal. Paying attention is necessary for our pets (who depend 100% on us) health.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Do you disagree with giving human grade peanuts to our birds? I don't feed them to my budgies because they're too big.

 

[rheashard2]

I use caution. The bad thing with pets (and people) is trying to narrow down causes. Pets can't talk and depend upon their humans. Sometimes I get craving for peanuts. I purchase name brand and small amount. She might get the equivalent of 40 peanuts a year. If suspicious symptoms occur I can be narrow it down. I became this way at a long time ago. My dog started loosing weight. Eating poorly, but no nausea, vomiting etc. The vet was a family friend. He stopped by. A bone had gotten lodged on roof of his mouth wedged horizontally just behind canine teeth. My 8 yo self got a lecture on owner responsibility, awareness etc. So  many decades later, I can still see his annoyed face. When I give my CAG a food she loves I pay attention to potential consequences. I miss a lot; opening my purse and script bottle 800$; widening a crack in a toy just enough to wedge a toe tip 2+K. So I try to be careful.

 

[ChrisH123]

I don't feed peanuts to my birds. Besides not being the best nutritionally, the shell and nut can harbor aflatoxins. If your birds eats these toxins it can cause aspergillosis, a slow growing fungal infection that gradually damages tissues in the body over a period of weeks to months. There is often little obvious evidence of illness until an organ or system is severely compromised. The spores persist in the environment and are very resistant to disinfection.
Aspergillosis is a very challenging disease to cure and treatment usually takes a long time.

So, for me, it's not worth the risk and there are better choices nutritionally.

If you've rescued a bird that is eating little BUT peanuts and you absolutely can't find a replacement for them, get human grade peanuts (dry roasted, unsalted, out of the shell). Those are your best chance of not harboring aflatoxins.

 

[bug_n_flock]

I've looked into growing them. My macaw loves peanuts and I don't have the heart not to give in sometimes. She even will ask for them by name. The compromise I have currently is a small amount of natural peanut butter on a piece of whole wheat toast every once in a while.

Even growing them yourself it's a concern. They grow in the shell like that, wet underground in the dirt. I bought some peanut seeds and I will try growing them at some point, but yeah it's not an actually "safe" food unfortunately.

 

[rheashard2]

I've looked into growing them. My macaw loves peanuts and I don't have the heart not to give in sometimes. She even will ask for them by name. The compromise I have currently is a small amount of natural peanut butter on a piece of whole wheat toast every once in a while.

Even growing them yourself it's a concern. They grow in the shell like that, wet underground in the dirt. I bought some peanut seeds and I will try growing them at some point, but yeah it's not an actually "safe" food unfortunately.

It's hard to say no when you get 'the look' or 'voice'. For peanuts follow safe purchase techniques. My CAG's weakness is sunflower seeds. It's hard to say no. My sister bought the 'grey manipulator' 8 pounds, organic, dry roasted giant sunflower seeds. What am I going to do with that much?

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I'd happily eat them myself. On salads. For snacks. They'd be gone in no time. But I eat a lot of nuts. Shelled dry roasted lightly salted Pistachios are my guilty pleasure.

 

[bug_n_flock]

That's what I was thinking too lol "well, guess I don't need to make popcorn or chips or anything for a while on movie night. Snacks are covered"

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Are they shelled? If not, try to train him to shell them for you and watch movies together.

 

[rheashard2]

I prefer dried fruit, frozen for sweet and chewy treats. Sunflower seeds don't interest me. If they were pecans, almonds or pistachios it'd be a different story!

 

[bug_n_flock]

Ok, now I'm gonna have to try that frozen dried fruit thing, that sounds great!