Fatty Acids

[FoxersArtist]

Quick! Someone give me a list of things that are really high in Omega Fatty Acids. I have been offering Sydney (GW) everything I can think of that will help, but was hoping some of you might have some suggestions I have not yet thought of. She is a fairly picky eater and so far the only thing she has excepted with zeal has been scrambled eggs. It broke my heart to see another pile of feathers on the floor this evening.
-Anna

[TikiTalks]

can birdies eat fishies like salmon? that's high in omega fatty acids i think

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Do a google on... parrot Omega Fatty Acids

[too&me]

Yes they can have salmon (cooked) Almonds, Walnuts even a little red palm oil will work. Our Vet. dispenses it in a dropper to birds low in the good fatty acids.

[CrystalinNC]

macadamia nuts, coconuts, flax seed has tons of omega 3...

[Chrissy and Flock]

Is salmon something you could give them even if they dont have a problem? I am trying to find different things that Cassie will eat. I just hate that she eats mostly seeds, she eats very little of the foods that is good for her.

[too&me]

Both Salmon & Tuna in small amounts-not Albacore, water pack low sodium. Should be ok keep trying the fresh veggies or even the frozen ones rinsed under hot water & served still warm.

[birdie]

http://www.lafeber.com/lafeber-library/Articles/misc/omega.asp


flax seed seems to be a good source, can you smash some up and mix in with the eggs?

[Chrissy and Flock]

Both Salmon & Tuna in small amounts-not Albacore, water pack low sodium. Should be ok keep trying the fresh veggies or even the frozen ones rinsed under hot water & served still warm.

I give veggies everyday sometimes frozen sometimes fresh, she will eat brocoli and corn but not everytime I give it to her. Sometimes I think it's a battle of wits with her, of course after years of seed and junk food I am making some progress. I think once AngelBaby gets out in the birdy room Cassie may do like she does, least I hope she does. :D

[FoxersArtist]

The only Flax seed I have right now is mixed in with my breakfast granola. That being said...anyone know if Hemp seed is ok for birds?...Cause that's also in my granola! I was thinking of giving her a little bit of that for now and I can run to the store later and get a flax meal that I can make into a hot cereal like malt-o-meal. she might like that as a comfort food as well. I too was not sure about the fish. I'll remember to pick up some red palm oil also. Thanks Jill!
-Anna

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

http://www.lafeber.com/lafeber-library/Articles/misc/omega.asp


flax seed seems to be a good source, can you smash some up and mix in with the eggs?

I read that flax seeds really are far better nutritionally when smashed up.

[FoxersArtist]

I read that flax seeds really are far better nutritionally when smashed up.

Hmmm, interesting. Do you know why?
-Anna

[CrystalinNC]

Hemp seed is fine...
as for flax being better mashed...well, our tummies don't break down the casing as well as needed to get all of the benefits..
not sure if that holds true for the birds or not.

[Dot]

Walnuts and almonds. Walnuts are also less fattening and have less bad cholesterol and more good cholesterol.

Winter squash. That is pretty much any of the squashes. Surely he would eat the seeds, at least.

Dark, leafy veggies.

They have to have Vitamin E to be able to absorb EFA, and it is found it nuts.

I'll go find a complete list and post it.

[Dot]

http://ezinearticles.com/?Essential-Fatty-Acids-for-Parrots&id=62021

Because these must be fed, they are "Essential" - for growth, for the health of nerves, arteries, blood, for visual function, and suppleness of the skin and healthy feathers. The "Queen" of these are the Omega 3 Fatty Acids (linolenic) abundant in flax seed oil and fish. Omega 6 acids (linoleic) are important for transportation and processing cholesterol and are found in corn, safflower, and soybeans. Both Omega 3 and 6 should be supplied, of which the best combined source is canola oil. Mixtures of flax seed oil with the other oils helps keep a balance of the Omegas for good health. Arachidonic acid is synthesized by linoleic acid when fed in the diet....

African Greys have been found to have a higher need for E.F.A.s than other species and I always recommend supplementing their diet with flax seed oil 3 or 4 times a week. Molting and feather plucking also increase the need, as does breeding and raising babies. Macaws also have a higher need for fat and I recommend mixed nuts 3 to 4 a day which are high in unsaturated fats and actually lower the saturated fat in the body. Vitamin E is needed for E.F.A.s to be absorbed and nuts provide the proper balance. Additional sources of E.F.A.s are many seeds and legumes (including peanuts).

[FoxersArtist]

http://ezinearticles.com/?Essential-Fatty-Acids-for-Parrots&id=62021

Because these must be fed, they are "Essential" - for growth, for the health of nerves, arteries, blood, for visual function, and suppleness of the skin and healthy feathers. The "Queen" of these are the Omega 3 Fatty Acids (linolenic) abundant in flax seed oil and fish. Omega 6 acids (linoleic) are important for transportation and processing cholesterol and are found in corn, safflower, and soybeans. Both Omega 3 and 6 should be supplied, of which the best combined source is canola oil. Mixtures of flax seed oil with the other oils helps keep a balance of the Omegas for good health. Arachidonic acid is synthesized by linoleic acid when fed in the diet....

African Greys have been found to have a higher need for E.F.A.s than other species and I always recommend supplementing their diet with flax seed oil 3 or 4 times a week. Molting and feather plucking also increase the need, as does breeding and raising babies. Macaws also have a higher need for fat and I recommend mixed nuts 3 to 4 a day which are high in unsaturated fats and actually lower the saturated fat in the body. Vitamin E is needed for E.F.A.s to be absorbed and nuts provide the proper balance. Additional sources of E.F.A.s are many seeds and legumes (including peanuts).
Thanks for all of the information Dot. Now I know some things I didn't used to!
-Anna