Bother The Birds

I really rely on everything in moderation. For instance, feed more veggies than fruit to your birds.

Of course they will love the fruit and given the chance they will eat mostly that.

If you can, try to by organic produce for you and your birds. I realize that it is expensive. A little is better than none!

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Web site, organic farming, “emphasizes the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations,” and organic foods are those that are “produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.”

Fruit that is imported from can have pesticides on it that are not healthy for you or your birds. Some of those chemicals actually stay in the fruit itself.

Here is a list of some fruit that may have a higher instance of pesticide:

• Strawberries
• Cherries
• Pears
• Peaches
• Imported Cantalope
• Apricots
• Apples
• Imported Grapes

Here is the list of fruit that can/should be used instead or if the organic is too expensive:

• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Oranges
• Grapefruit
• Watermelon
• Kiwi
• Nectarines
• Tangarines
• Domestic cantalope
• Papaya
• Bananas
• Domestic Grapes
• Mangoes
• Pineapple

Try to feed from the list above with the least of the chemicals.

Next time I will write about Veg and Chemicals and what you should never feed your feathered friend.

Christa

Sources: 

More information can be found here: Parrots, Produce and Pesticides by Carolyn Swicegood

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-top-10-foods-to-eat-organically.html

http://www.ewg.org/node/18342

http://www.ewg.org/node/18912

http://www.ams.usda.gov/