Need help with which proteins to feed...

[mcmalott]

I got Simon's lab work back today and his protein levels were pretty low...can you guys tell me which foods are high in protein and which ones you feed your Eclectus?

Thanks so much!!

 

[sodakat]

Protein should be part of a balanced diet. I feed only vegetable proteins to my 8 Eclectus; no meat or eggs. The base diet I prefer begins with 2 parts cooked whole grains to 1 part soaked and cooked legumes or sprouted legumes. To this an assortment of chopped vegetables, both frozen and fresh, is be added such as celery, carrots, peppers and winter squash or pumpkin; chopped greens like kale, collard or mustard greens or endive will provide vitamins plus additional protein and a couple chopped fruits including a berry should be included daily.

A small amount of an unfortified seed mix daily, as well as a couple almonds or 1/2 walnut would work as a second meal and snack. If he is a young bird I would provide a wheel of corn, some green beans, slices of cucumbers... things like that for a midday snack.

Do you need specific recipes? Are you interested in a base product you can buy and cook to which you add your own fresh produce. Let me know what you do now and I'll be happy to give suggestions.

Another source of protein that can be given a couple times a week is tofu. Just a teaspoon or 2 at a time along with his fresh foods.

 

[Chikoo]

Tofu is good as long as its non-GMO. Most soy and soy products are GMO these days, so look for the non-GMO verification.

For protein, I give my birds sprouted beans and legumes. Also 1tbsp of sprouted seed mix a day. Quinoa is another good source of protein, and it has a complete amino acid profile, highly nutritious. My birds nearly fall off their perch when they see me with quinoa. They go crazy for it. Almonds are good too.

 

[moni.k]

I feed Nalani a mix of food, usually it consists of:
Broccoli
Assorted beans and peas
Cauliflower
Kale
Mango
Strawberry
Blueberry
Blackberry
Carrots
Corn
Beet
Parsley
Sweet Potato
Celery
Pumpkin
Butternut squash
Banana

She also gets fresh sprouts daily, the sprout mix contains:
Green whole Peas,
Chick Peas,
Mung Beans,
French, Red and Green Lentils,
Barley,
Buckwheat,
Kamut,
Oats,
Sunflower Seeds.

Once every two weeks I will boil and egg and give her half with the shell included.

Everything in bold that are listed above are high in protein. Try to put as much of those foods in his daily diet as possible. I also know that you can give boiled chicken breast, but I have never done it. Nalani also had bloodwork done a few weeks ago and all her levels were normal and healthy. Hope this helps.

 

[Remy]

Do they make digestive enzymes for birds? MY protein was low, so my doctor told me to use digestive enzymes for it. Pineapple and papaya naturally have enzymes also.

Rice+beans = complete protein
quinoa = complete protein
any legume + any grain = complete protein

You can also add spirulina or chlorella to any food; they have a lot of nutrients and protein.

 

[drlisaort]

Oliver got his vet results last week and his results also were excellent. I feed him everything listed above with the exception of sprouts. I have no clue how to make sprouts and would love guidance!

As for food Oliver goes absolutely crazy for it's the 15 bean Soup product by Hursts Hambean Brand. I lose the ham season packet--and soak the beans for about 8 hours then boil till soft. I mix in peas, corn, carrots, cooked brown rice and freeze little bags that I pull out as the week progresses. I add fresh veggies to it each night. I tend to feed fruit for breakfast, fresh veggies in the later afternoon and then the bean concoction at night.

 

[sodakat]

Careful with adding spirulina. Lots of people have stories to tell about that not working for Eclectus. Just google it.

Also, I personally know that egg can contribute to high cholesterol. Removing egg from the diet lowered cholesterol 300 points in 8 months on one of my birds that I mistakenly fed egg to for a while. I know two people who lost their Eclectus at very young ages after feeding egg regularly and necropsy showed plaque in arteries.

There are many great plant based sources of protein.