Unsalted, Shelled Sunflower Seeds

[JenJen]

Are these safe to feed as a treat? I know sunflower seeds in general are frowned upon because they can lead to porky parrots, but I am looking for something to use as a treat for training and I'm hoping these will fit the bill. The package says nothing about them being roasted. The ingredients are sunflower seeds and canola oil. Sodium is 0mg; Total Fat is 18g (per every eight pieces), sugar is 2g.

What do you think?

 

[Dinosrawr]

Personally, I only use sunflower seeds as a, "holy smokes! Look at how good of a bird you are!" kind of treat. I also break them into quarters, as eating the entire seed takes too long and impedes on training, especially with shelled sunflower seeds. I like to use blanched, unsalted almonds and chop them into very tiny pieces. I can use less than a whole almond for a day of training, and almonds contain a healthier fat than sun flower seeds.

 

[veimar]

My gcc LOVES the sunflower seeds like crazy, but only ones with shells! LOL They are special treats. When I tried to give him shelled ones he just dropped them on the floor. In very small amounts they are okay. I give him 5-6 seeds in a good day, but usually no more than 3.

 

[RavensGryf]

My gcc LOVES the sunflower seeds like crazy, but only ones with shells!

The ones with shell sometimes have a little extra protein also.... sometimes you get a worm in there :26: I prefer to eat the ones without shells...

 

[Brodie]

Almonds are alot healthier, and most of the time they love them just as much! As dinosrawr said, chop them up into small pieces, see how that works. Or you can normally find sunflower seeds in your local pet store without any canola oil. I know you can get it here.

 

[javi]

I sprout the unsalted, hulled raw sunflower seeds for my birds and they love them. Other than that just as a treat

 

[hacatta]

i use them to get them in their cages when they are being fussy.
Just show them you drop a few in theirs bowls,and they run towards their cages like their are hell hounds after them.
But sometimes they get them as a treat to ,when they leave my curtains alone for one day.

 

[JenJen]

Thanks for the suggestions, all! I've fed a few of them to Zulu and he is certainly crazy about them, but I'm going to switch over to the almonds. I take it I want the 'unsalted' and 'unroasted' variety as well?