dairy products?

[mgaggie]

Hi everyone,

Many recipes that I've found like bird bread etc, all have things like milk, cheese and buttermilk. I remember reading somewhere that dairy products are bad for birds, is that true?

Oh and what about sugar?

Thanks
Mel

[avinet]

Parrots, and I think other types of birds as well, are unable to properly digest the lactose that is in milk, and for that reason it has generally been thought that giving birds dairy products is not a good idea. however hard cheese such as Cheddar has lost the lactose as part of the production process so that is OK to give. I believe soft cheeses still have lactose so perhaps should not be given.

And I think that milk used in cooking has the lactose broken down by the heat - don't quote me on that though, I would need to research it to be sure.

Having said that a bit of milk won't do any harm and will just pass through. I usually have Weetbix in the morning, and I always leave a small amount in the bottom of the bowl - soaked in milk of course - because my pair of Princesses love to finish it off, it is their special treat! And they are now around 15 so it hasn't done them any harm

cheers,

Mike

[gypsy]

Thank you mgaggie for asking a question that I have been wondering about for ages, and thanks Mike for answering!

Wally loves to share a bit of cereal with the kids, and I was so scared to ask if it was ok lol he also likes picking the vegemite off toast!

also he is quite fond of a nibble on a cheese slice, 'real' cheese not 'plastic' cheese, he goes nuts if he see's us eating some and we don't let him have a nibble lol

sally

[anzac]

My rats are supposedly lactose intolerant and I don't want to risk runny poo all over their cage so I just give them the lactose free UHT milk. So give that a go if you want to feed your feathered kids weetbix etc.

[mgaggie]

Thankyou everyone for your replies. Much appreciated

[flossy]

I don't think a little bit hurts either! All my birds love to "share" our cereal etc....and they are all ok. As long as it's only a small amount - I can't see the harm!
I don't agree with these people who say things like this is abuse! I read an article on another forum about a lady sharing her coffee or something with her galah every morning and she was told off so badly. She wasn't saying it was drinking the whole cup! just that he has a little sip of her morning coffee....it was "their" time! I also share my morning cuppa with Savannah, Doofy, Toddles and Percy! So not much left after that...lol. Kidding! They just have a sip! To ME! that's not abuse, to ME! that's love.....! and a very special time I share with my babies!! They won't do it with anyone else in the family, only me....so I feel blessed!
I digress again! Sorry peeps!

[carlsandclan]

AJ LOVES yoghurt! And apparently it doesn't have lactose because of the cultures used to make it what it is. Same with cheese, I believe.

As long as you don't overdo it, what's the issue? And as far as coffee - I keep a small jar of decaf for AJ to share with me. lol

[mgaggie]

flossy feel free to digress!

I really appreciate everyones replies. So the consensus is "in moderation", basically the same for us humans!

[gypsy]

Phew, I am not a terrible Mum then for letting Wally have a sip or two of my cup of tea!

I agree with Flossy - I see sharing treats like that as 'special time' and I think it makes our babies feel special as well. After all they are not 'stupid' and live in our homes and see us eating/drinking food, we are part of their 'flock' and don't all the flock share?

[flossy]

Exactly Gypsy!! Exactly.............

[mgaggie]

You're right Gypsy. I caught my Jack Russell (maggie) eating some of the bird food Sunny had flung out of the cage